Northern Lights, North Douglas, Juneau, Alaska – Image 2645

Planning on shooting the northern lights in Juneau is a long shot. Northern lights activity centers around the magnetic north pole so the further north one travels the better the odds of seeing northern lights. Secondly, Juneau and Southeast Alaska spend most of the viewing months between September through April cloud covered. Historically, I have been able to shoot the northern lights several times per year. But for the past three years, I have seen one display strong enough to shoot and was able to get this image. Scientists tell us that northern lights have multi-year cycles, and we have been at the bottom of the cycle for the past several years. I shot this image of the Lemon Creek area and Lemon Glacier from the north Douglas boat ramp. The unusual blueish light emanating from the mountains are the prison lights of the Lemon Creek Correction facility, the jail. This photo illustrates the month of December in my Southeast Alaska 2010 calendar. Enjoy the photo and thanks for visiting.Camera body: Nikon D200, Lens: Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8, Digital Capture, ISO 800-Mark Kelley