The thrill of witnessing the awe-inspiring northern lights has always been a long-held aspiration of mine. Several years ago, during a visit to Alaska, the possibility of observing this natural phenomenon was almost as eagerly anticipated as the roller derby game that had brought me there. Regrettably, despite being in the midst of ‘aurora season,’ I was left disheartened as I did not catch even a single glimpse of the renowned green swirls.
Fast forward more than a decade, and fate had a different plan for me. A recent solar storm brought the dazzling northern lights to the scenic region of British Columbia on May 10. Armed with my tripod and mirrorless camera, I made my way to Old Orchard Road in Chilliwack, eagerly anticipating the spectacle alongside a small group of fellow enthusiasts.
As the night proceeded, faint streaks of whitish light began to emerge in the northern skies. Although not as vivid to the naked eye, the brilliance captured by my camera’s lens utterly astounded me. The vibrant lime-green lights and beautiful magenta movements displayed on my camera’s LCD screen surpassed all of my expectations.
The allure of the auroras was further heightened by the realization that the visual feast was enhanced by technology. Unlike in the past, modern smartphones and professional cameras have the capability to capture the stunning displays, making it accessible to millions of people. The advancements in technology have brought the natural world closer to our fingertips, allowing us to witness the beauty of the northern lights firsthand.
Despite the initial subtlety of the display, the night sky gradually became adorned with hues of purple and green. The sensational exhibition put on by Mother Nature captivated everyone present. Even though the naked eye was able to catch a glimpse of the magic to a certain extent, the images immortalized by my camera told a more enchanting story.
Having covered various events in Chilliwack throughout my career, the experience of capturing the northern lights has become the most treasured. The shared sentiment on social media illustrated that the community was equally captivated by the breathtaking display, all thanks to the wonders of technology.
Jenna Hauck is an accomplished multimedia journalist associated with The Chilliwack Progress since 2000. For a glimpse of her stunning collection of northern lights photographs, a slide show is available online.