https://kristinrepsher.com/ weekly 1.0 https://kristinrepsher.com/about monthly 0.8 https://kristinrepsher.com/blog weekly 0.9 https://kristinrepsher.com/books monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/buying-licensing-photos monthly 0.6 https://kristinrepsher.com/charity monthly 0.6 https://kristinrepsher.com/contact monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/disclaimer yearly 0.3 https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio weekly 0.9 https://kristinrepsher.com/shop https://kristinrepsher.com/store https://kristinrepsher.com/workshops monthly 0.8 https://kristinrepsher.com/blog/8-things-know-driving-icefields-parkway-winter monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/img/blog/8-things-know-driving-icefields-parkway-winter/icefields-parkway.jpg 8 Things To Know Before Driving the Icefields Parkway in Winter https://kristinrepsher.com/blog/how-to-safely-use-camera-gear-winter monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/img/blog/how-to-safely-use-camera-gear-winter/ice-spiral-sunrise.jpg How to Safely Use Your Camera Gear in Winter https://kristinrepsher.com/blog/photograph-northern-lights monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/img/bkg/green-lights-of-gardur.jpg How to Photograph the Northern Lights https://kristinrepsher.com/blog/preparing-northern-lights-shoot monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/img/blog/preparing-northern-lights-shoot/nighttime-in-a-glass-igloo.jpg Preparing for a Northern Lights Shoot https://kristinrepsher.com/blog/recover-photos-from-failed-memory-card monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/img/blog/recover-photos-from-failed-memory-card/steaming-away-from-mallaig.jpg How to Recover Photos from a Failed Memory Card https://kristinrepsher.com/blog/welcome-kristin-repsher-photography monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/img/blog/welcome-kristin-repsher-photography/dancing-the-night-away.jpg Welcome to Kristin Repsher Photography https://kristinrepsher.com/blog/whats-in-my-bag-for-travel-photography monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/img/blog/whats-in-my-bag-for-travel-photography/slieve-league-df.jpg What’s in My Bag: A Travel Photography Gear Guide https://kristinrepsher.com/blog/winter-photography-dressing-for-the-cold monthly 0.7 https://kristinrepsher.com/img/blog/winter-photography-dressing-for-the-cold/wind-whipped-summit.jpg Winter Photography: Dressing for the Cold https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals weekly 0.8 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-2bJ2Zv8/0/FJt5KBzcbwHxTB4qWMRCZ5pJRTddL6rJcPB4Gnbk9-1776120202-O/i-2bJ2Zv8.jpg Animals https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-b6Qv2Nv/0/FCJSdRCMSpPxs8rvVSL3kqK9W26tpXznHhMm6pmVJ-1776120203-O/i-b6Qv2Nv.jpg I've Got My Eyes on You After an afternoon of driving around the prairies near Mossleigh searching for snowy owls and coming up empty, we were turning around to head home when this girl caught my eye. I managed to sneak this close to her before she got annoyed at me and took off. What a beautiful animal, and so much bigger than I expected too! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-SvGwcLK/0/9HfCxkPhxLJMTk7gnDjmHxF4RcpJMXK8swWLGNVQ-1776120203-O/i-SvGwcLK.jpg Majestic An elk doing his best "majestic" look on a hill above Surprise Corner in Banff. It's only slightly undone by the big number on his ear tag! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-hxc8RpG/0/GhczvgT2FHqXKx44Zr7VrjmLDB7fCw54PBqh8chV-1776120203-O/i-hxc8RpG.jpg I'm Not Worried Enough to Stop Eating! Location: Pyramid Island, Jasper National Park, Canada This little guy had clearly spotted me but wasn't worried enough to stop eating his meal before skittering off! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-mT7tHsZ/0/FMXq66s9zpcJwKB4jQHrpf6pJkgLcbDnM6gdN9Kv2-1776120203-O/i-mT7tHsZ.jpg My Worst Nightmare How terrifying is this?! I had no idea jumping crocs were even a thing until I went to Darwin and saw all the ads for cruises on the Adelaide River (about 1.5hrs drive from Darwin). Essentially, tour boats go out on the Adelaide River, which has around 7,000 crocs living in its 150kms, and hang pork chops on fishing lines to get crocs to jump for them -- and man do they fly for creatures as large as they are! While it was good to see the crocs in a relatively controlled environment -- since I'm terrified of coming across one in the wild -- I'd have to do more research on the effects of these cruises before I went on one again, since it seemed to be very against the usual adage of "don't feed the wild animals." https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-MzXdGgS/0/FVTnDQstZ8xkQ95wDfX2HKPTZmjFvTqxJHSjznwzX-1776120203-O/i-MzXdGgS.jpg Honey Howls at the Moon I'm not entirely sure what Honey, the famous hairy coo that lives at Trossachs Woolen Mill near Stirling, is doing here, so I choose to believe she is howling at the moon. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-CdZdcVw/0/D4R3Z9Cj6hdVTXRFs8Gkvnn2WKgSZ5qL2HnqwwtQm-1776120203-O/i-CdZdcVw.jpg A Stroll in the Mud Honey finally decides to come out and see what all the fuss is about. She is one of the most famous 'hairy coos' in Scotland and lives at the Trossachs Woolen Mill near Stirling. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-3cnRKVp/0/RfBmFKHdhJgBLfSPjmLNCKcNHXDPkMStjXmzW5mC-1776120203-O/i-3cnRKVp.jpg Honey the Hairy Coo Honey, one of Scotland's most famous Hairy Coos, telling us exactly what she thinks of us trying to coax her out of her stall. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-sqN8fxW/0/DDQ7QfBbSXr6hbwpfkQsq6Mgwz6nc8NH87sDdXFwK-1776120203-O/i-sqN8fxW.jpg Starsky Those eyes! This is Starsky, one of the hardest-working dogs at Hetta Huskies. He's still young, so he's still happy to run until he passes out if you let him! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-KX3H8NS/0/CrvXc6ttTMMvDqCvNXGRWbhDq9WtsVVLDj39kmtS9-1776120203-O/i-KX3H8NS.jpg But Muuuum! I'm Tired! Aww, this adorable month-old husky puppy at Kamisak Farm is tired. Good thing his mother was there to bundle him into his dog house (puppy house?) to have a good rest. Being a puppy is tiring! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-T7GHSH2/0/CHpTvshxd8X284v7NSZVznkKbC8PkCcnCNvz32Fpv-1776120203-O/i-T7GHSH2.jpg The Golden Child Location: Kopara Reindeer Farm, Luosto, Lapland, Finland I think this may be the best example of a 'golden child' that I've ever seen! This beautiful little fawn was trotting behind her mother at Kopara Reindeer Farm when she turned to quickly check me out. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-3vFmzCm/0/FTrhn3wCC5NvVLp5dbSK53Q8t9ZCfhVt4x4nKHLfh-1776120203-O/i-3vFmzCm.jpg I Stick My Tongue Out In Your General Direction Not sure what I did to make this reindeer stick her tongue out at me, but stick out her tongue she did! Captured during my wanders around the Kopara Reindeer Park in Luosto, Finland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-2bJ2Zv8/0/jKCXnKLLncVJ58FLXwWbnk7F3Ff5rSthBJHdDdvk-1776120203-O/i-2bJ2Zv8.jpg Feed...Me...Now! This is what a reindeer looks like when she knows that you are trying to hide a bucket of reindeer food from her. It was pretty difficult trying to get photos without her managing to steal all the food away from me! Note: this was on a reindeer farm (Kopara Reindeer Farm near Luosto) rather than a reindeer I came across in the wild. They would very rarely let you get this close! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-8LGvDvM/0/7qns3mvTGh7JVtX5dV48WRpM58BSJGcBgTwSBMfB-1776120203-O/i-8LGvDvM.jpg Snowy the Pink-Antlered Reindeer At the end of my walk through the Isokuru Gorge area of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, I came across a small herd of reindeer that had found the last snow of the season to lounge on -- apparently the 15ºC that it was outside was just too warm for them! This guy was the only albino reindeer in the group, and I found his pink fuzzy antlers to be very impressive (even if his molting fur was a little less so)! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-wcCNVvK/0/DHbSNdknP2Hr9cP3NNZqkWczPMTbHdD4MMwrWKSSt-1776120203-O/i-wcCNVvK.jpg Summer? What Summer? These reindeer refused to admit that it was summertime, and instead found one of the few patches of snow remaining on Pyhätunturi and settled down on that instead. I don't blame them, since mosquitos don't tend to hang out quite as much on snow as they do in the forest! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-Tv3mg6x/0/DRmDHdT77JZQjtwZ65w3svgZ7jmrJnpvvvtTBxhCp-1776120203-O/i-Tv3mg6x.jpg The Eagle Has Taken Off Location: Kuusamo, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland One of six eagles that we saw on our bear watching trip (sadly, no bears appeared) in the forests of Kuusamo near the Finnish border with Russia. It was crazy seeing five eagles all in the same place, especially with some duking it out for food! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-hLdjzkg/0/CG4ckCszXG6ZBNzGLvPvLs9z6CLLK6MxW9d3djmxr-1776120203-O/i-hLdjzkg.jpg The Treacherous Path to the Sea What an amazing sight this was. The few of us that were on Mon Repos beach late in the afternoon were treated to the sight of four hatchlings, stragglers from a nest that hatched the night befoe, as they made their first run to the sea. This poor girl in particular got tossed around by the waves, but eventually she made it out to the open sea. Hopefully she'll be returning back to the same beach in 30 years time to lay her own batch of hatchlings! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-kQTHnV5/0/D89nSVVqTMCKH3mBHVKTJKBLFw4TZm2bgtP3sN2Gq-1776120203-O/i-kQTHnV5.jpg Taking Flight Location: Canterbury, New Zealand New Zealand is one of the best places in the world for bird lovers. Until the Europeans arrived, birds had no natural predators and flourished on the islands (and really, who wouldn't in a place as beautiful as this). This guy -- possibly a swamp harrier or a falcon -- was sitting on a fencepost near the road to Mount Sunday (Edoras) and I was lucky enough to catch him as we drove by and he took flight. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-mTmgmSN/0/C365S3Kt4GXpGhn2bmsVfHDZVh9pgWKLJC2XsWwPB-1776120203-O/i-mTmgmSN.jpg Koala Cuddles A koala joey clings on to her mother as she naps in the trees at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-rD2CRMk/0/DS7sqqT5CRzbhWmgPDvrSK2x6nfdK2nQDWxZFrWwz-1776120203-O/i-rD2CRMk.jpg Sleeping Beauty Location: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia One of the mothers in the mothers & babies enclosure at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary curls up for a nap. It's a hard life being a koala. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-zqwsNBp/0/RfX7gSL2zNvDkXmjkcstMP9HvJC7Fw78dtSDdrKw-1776120203-O/i-zqwsNBp.jpg A Devil at Cradle One of the many Tassie Devils at the Devils@Cradle centre near Cradle Mountain. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-BTxqLcN/0/C6G8PBZZJBhGvTpQSNSWQd5vgrqf59hRGMrFh59cv-1776120203-O/i-BTxqLcN.jpg The Argument.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-WQhDvdj/0/DCKVT3SqdZ5fBxm6FTrBNg5DLGKGPt3dBnz9X3cfD-1776120203-O/i-WQhDvdj.jpg I Will Bite Your Face Off Elephant seals argue on the beach at San Simeon, a beach that was chock-a-block full of seals no matter where you looked. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-pmGXM4d/0/FRQXZDPPMvKsXHb9Q9hqmVWn46bbWtgMN2c3HV3PS-1776120203-O/i-pmGXM4d.jpg Attentive One of the many huskies at Camp Tamok -- the base for Lyngsfjord Adventure in Norway's Lyngen Alps -- harnessed up and ready to go sledding. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-D2zczXd/0/CZrH8TvT8s4Nh2gpjFst3HTBMKcqNhFTXP9t6vMxF-1776120203-O/i-D2zczXd.jpg Husky Eyes I never truly appreciated what gorgeous animals huskies are -- both inside and out -- until my travels in Lapland. They are so determined to run and so well trained to do so...yet as soon as they're done for the day, they're the most playful, sweet animals in the world. This shot was taken at the husky kennels at Camp Tamok in the Lyngen Alps of Norway. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/New-South-Wales/i-nnVPtPp/0/FfvQhHZf55VGv9493K9zDQxbj5mXk2gDnZcv8RBVQ-1776120203-O/i-nnVPtPp.jpg Warning! Incoming Humpbacks A humpback whale calf breaches in front of Mt Warning on the New South Wales north coast. This little guy spent about an hour breaching continuously -- what a sight it was to see! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-R7PJmCp/0/bFVr6tMgc2nFqsH24NS75zMhsHNj6WN4k9brKjMx-1776120203-O/i-R7PJmCp.jpg A Lorikeet in Singapore A rainbow lorikeet sitting in the trees in Jurong Bird Park's 'Lory Loft.' https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-x8gdqVT/0/FBRhNr9Vs3pwdGbg7hq3BbtKCg6BsMbcCbh5V5t86-1776120203-O/i-x8gdqVT.jpg Pretty Kitty Wolverine has learned that my camera usually means a big light going off in his eyes, so it was very difficult to get him to look up for this shot! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-XdZWkmj/0/CmTh7kDHTh5trRVgPNGtCB95qJH46nR43KxhCDHWX-1776120203-O/i-XdZWkmj.jpg Dude! This was one of the absolute highlights of my travels around Australia with my family. As we were swimming back to the beach at Michaelmas Cay, we crossed paths with this green turtle and swam with him for about 10 minutes! He didn't seem bothered at all and just kept swimming along. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-qhcgF5K/0/Ckh9R3DJrKfsfkHrwWb9JN98HrBjdWx9PX4z4gxQq-1776120203-O/i-qhcgF5K.jpg Hand Feeding the Dolphins On our trip to Straddy in early 2010, we were lucky enough to get to Amity Point when dolphins were frolicking just off the end of the pier! It didn't hurt that fishermen were feeding them some of their catches, which kept them very closeby. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-BhzRW7f/0/rQH7bN9fTZ6sgrrjbMFhkQGGf4NXqHDk9vdV3HNH-1776120203-O/i-BhzRW7f.jpg Relaxation Zorro having a lounge on our hard wood floor after a long day of...doing nothing? Chasing his tail? Poking Wolverine while he sleeps? He could have been doing any of these things; the only thing I know is that whatever it was, it clearly wore him out! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-vXTbbc2/0/CcqXkVkcvksS96Tgk46zN7kN4DGWLFmw3g9QLVZCJ-1776120203-O/i-vXTbbc2.jpg My Zorrito My beautiful little Zorro when he was six months old. I posted this as a tribute image when he got hit by a car a few months later; fortunately, he pulled through his punctured lung and is now as loud as ever! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-ZRzr4zD/0/CmTLhst9xZwdSqmBhrRg8c6KfHHDz7CbX9bqDk9CH-1776120203-O/i-ZRzr4zD.jpg I'm Judging You A water dragon trying to figure out what all the fuss is about at Wilson's Outlook! This shot was taken around noon as the place slowly filled with people gathering to watch Riverfire. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-bxvMXV5/0/ChkH8XLTCQbZVZNfBMh9HX62gpTS45kv6sLZgLcd7-1776120203-O/i-bxvMXV5.jpg Wolverine's First Bath This has always been one of my favourite cat photos. Unfortunately, only 2 days after we got our two kittens, Zorro pooed on Wolverine and we had no choice but to bathe them both. The poor kitties didn't know what to make of the bathtub at all -- and fortunately they were so small that they still couldn't climb out. This was as far as Wolverine got. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-pLwC2XG/0/D9swqvdChvPjGSQdFhKjWcnGmFZDcMxkRgFH7MzNs-1776120203-O/i-pLwC2XG.jpg Psychosis It's great to be home and seeing my family for the first time in 14 months. My cat does not seem to agree. This is the animal that used to cuddle and sleep on my bed. She has always had a bit of psychosis, but it seems to have gotten worse as she's aged. She did this just because I spoke near her. By the way, we named her Angel when we got her as a kitten; she now reminds me much more of Satan. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-w8Qvdkz/0/D299rM74HCCcMhBL74qp8FphWHTPGTgwkFxVWn7Cn-1776120203-O/i-w8Qvdkz.jpg A Portrait of Curiosity These water dragons are everywhere in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens--there are apparently so many that there's a monument to them! You can see them lounging in the grass, on tree trunks, on the shores of small ponds, and in the middle of every sidewalk there. If you get too close, most skitter away (with the funniest run I've ever seen on a reptile), but this one seemed content to just pose and slowly nose closer to the camera. Unfortunately he only posed for split seconds, which is why there's a bit of motion blur around his body! https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-7NsTJdB/0/FRLssJQ2JmGHg7TpVmTk5655tRM92WKKv6TTPTD8S-1776120203-O/i-7NsTJdB.jpg The Voice of Summer A cicada, whose voice can be heard all over Queensland announcing that it's summer, resting and letting his wings strengthen after he crawled out of his old skin. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-sv9Bq63/1/7gKXq4b37B24sX8Q4XX9cQnjsXwsw6Fbt7qn4cpZ-1776120203-O/i-sv9Bq63.jpg Making an Ass of Himself I caught this shot while I was feeding donkeys at Deer Park Heights, just outside of Queenstown, NZ. Judging from the amount of food on the ground, these donkeys were not in any danger of starving...but they certainly were trying to make it seem that way! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/flowers weekly 0.8 https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-nTRKWpD/0/GrqqssJPDWksDpKdLtGR7HxcJWLVNJ3hcHwS3VSv-1776120202-O/i-nTRKWpD.jpg Flowers It's November now in Brisbane, which means the flowers on the jacarandas are scattered across the ground and the frangipani trees are in full bloom. I love this flower, both for its look and its gorgeous smell, and it is one of many things that make me instantly think of summer. https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-h2Kvb3w/0/DmJjRmqFsXxR9nQV54NqdHqs6XXrShmmnXQrQc93G-1776120202-O/i-h2Kvb3w.jpg The Other Side I really enjoy taking pictures of the undersides of flowers, since it gives a bit of a different angle on the normal flower shot. And who would have thought I actually took this photo in a graveyard? It's definitely not what you usually see there! https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-L8V9WsN/0/CQrrQtCzDMsNgGHZBvQpW783f25W8gTVWN3S7ZGmz-1776120202-O/i-L8V9WsN.jpg A Study of the Gerbera I love the patterns you can find in the most everyday things, like a bunch of flowers that you walk past on your way into the shops. https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-gTFkffN/0/CRSq468HsSM8qfrhWQcgBmw6tQM9gnjSzJ7KffsgX-1776120202-O/i-gTFkffN.jpg The Sights of Summer Yet more proof that, although it's Christmas time, it's also the middle of the summer. I shot this in my boyfriend's parents' backyard on one of the many scorching days we had up there! https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-KZNfngR/0/FfftVG7mPD7qVJdNVFcQLSrpjxrMZf2VNLjjn4HFn-1776120202-O/i-KZNfngR.jpg Starburst I took this shot in my boyfriend's late grandmother's rose garden in Temora, NSW. This rose was a bit closed up so I had to pull the leaves back to snap this quick macro. https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-wd9LfWz/0/DWV2JBhXjqd3c4w6qm2HLJBzD7KsDTPrPGBJ7FSwb-1776120202-O/i-wd9LfWz.jpg Up Close and Personal African daisies are one of my favourite flowers to take photos of (almost as much as shooting frangipanis in the Queensland summer!). They just have so many unique intricacies and so many vibrant colours. This one was shot with my old Panasonic FZ-18 just outside my house in Perth. https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-9GjwV3f/2/FcLvQJb7fZHwDzdbVj4Lg8ZgTjVchkL6jXpjfn9sb-1776120202-O/i-9GjwV3f.jpg The Giants In July 2008, I was in a car accident that left me with pretty bad whiplash. I spent 6 weeks off work and was going absolutely mad inside the house after the first few days, so I started going outside and snapping whatever I could. With this one, I literally just stuck my camera under the flowers and snapped...and then couldn't get back up off the sidewalk afterwards! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes weekly 0.8 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-T8QnQn7/0/DLdqVV6NnWR9tdrgRwVwPQqVVmhpVk599qFPWqxgt-1776120202-O/i-T8QnQn7.jpg Landscapes https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome weekly 0.8 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-KhvB7nR/0/ZtmwKcnLVGS77np7rxJDvRDwdv7VQL3gTLTrHRTk-1776120202-O/i-KhvB7nR.jpg Monochrome https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-6fFtZQv/0/CPknPjB2SjKZcqXwwfrBNbBGtV3W8B5gbCXWH4XsN-1776120203-O/i-6fFtZQv.jpg Frozen in Place It didn't take long during the cold snap that enveloped much of Europe last week for Vejle's fjord to freeze. These rocks along the shoreline broke the waves just enough that the ice around them had a splintered, shattered look that gave way to a much more glazed look the further from shore it got. It was quite an uncommon, and beautiful, scene. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-kCzdqm6/0/DGFRwPBFxVRsgdr8SvPkvTM3ZcdcSdmcq8SrCb2J5-1776120203-O/i-kCzdqm6.jpg The Fjord's Autumn Moods Autumn clouds stretch in bands across the sky above Ersfjordbotn in Norway's Arctic north. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-2pcwwqR/0/CpVqsTvmmMhRWg5QFFRf2VfqFVGQS4KLXLj5Mf7q3-1776120203-O/i-2pcwwqR.jpg The Outpost in the Irish Sea The Milner's Tower stands high on Bradda Head, looking like a small outpost jutting out into the wild Irish Sea beyond. Not a bad place to start my photography adventure on the Isle of Man! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Waterton-National-Park/i-mFnrVdH/0/DkpQcnc3549csgXrsSn4jpRL5RqkHJC7WQTkvDGxF-1776120203-O/i-mFnrVdH.jpg Bison, Dwarfed A herd of buffalo grazing in front of the stunning mountains of Waterton Lakes National Park on a sunny July day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-D6Tm3K3/1/CrmPsT3zdW9KL6TMMXRpMhqkxcPZnsWfpQT3T6JWh-1776120203-O/i-D6Tm3K3.jpg Cracks in the Clouds As the clouds that had followed us for the morning slowly broke up, they turned the sky into a crazy puzzle with pieces that didn't quite fit together. When we stopped at Lower Waterfowl Lake to capture them, we found some piles of ice that fit right in with the scene; being -20º though, we decided not to try to fit all the icy puzzle pieces together! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-qbfpXVn/0/DBF6ppM37LSrmNBgHtV5tJrJpqbFqpD2bBmt4wxPp-1776120203-O/i-qbfpXVn.jpg In a Monochrome Dream A bit of fun playing with streaky clouds at first light at Vermilion Lakes. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-rSmBWpT/0/Bm66Mv4wcwB89kbSJBKPmD4DWkDKJw3w4863ZwXm-1776120203-O/i-rSmBWpT.jpg Winter Mountain Moods You never know what you're going to get in the mountains, particularly in winter. Like any photographer, I much prefer the moods with clouds than those completely without! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-KhvB7nR/0/CJ9gWTJb5pqptnsgTbhkHHKMWVJSvcmTQ9CGpZSpH-1776120203-O/i-KhvB7nR.jpg The Moods of Kirkjufell Location: Kirkjufell, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland The triple waterfall of Kirkjufellsfoss crashing down a hill in front of its namesake mountain. Even on days with moody weather, Iceland is still breathtakingly beautiful. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-vjdfV2r/0/FJ26bWRCCDbnqVBZVCVdsBvXZNPGpPvbcrgNKzjPP-1776120203-O/i-vjdfV2r.jpg All's Quiet in the Western Fjord Reflections of the mountains surrounding Reinefjord, seen in the little harbour near the Statoil Station. Reine Rorbuer can be seen on the left side of the harbour. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/Tasmania/i-hrg68n5/0/Nsq3dcpCR5LqbD4TxnHWGnQdWPjvJ42TQWcjfXSc-1776120203-O/i-hrg68n5.jpg Rushing to Cradle Mountain Knyvet Falls, full of water even in mid-winter, rushing through Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair National Park towards the mountain itself. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/Gold-Coast/i-X98s59C/0/DWPKQwvpLbLrgX6RgxNMdZcXjFQVVwGTRXdC7f5sp-1776120203-O/i-X98s59C.jpg Bridging Natural Bridge Part Deux Natural Bridge is a favourite of photographers across South East Queensland. This difficult-to-shoot scene, found in the Natural Bridge section of Springbrook National Park, is part of a very short bushwalk through the area, which takes you along Cave Creek, into the cave, and then up and over it. It's best seen when there has been a lot of recent rainfall; otherwise, it can slow to a faint trickle. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/Brisbane/i-2KNpDfR/0/DQcmh877gdk5TPPMFm4FvKSPV7frrRPZxRNc989H4-1776120203-O/i-2KNpDfR.jpg The Twins The massive arches of the Gateway Bridges, which span the width of the Brisbane River between Murarrie and Eagle Farm. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/New-South-Wales/i-mnrxTzQ/0/FLGTp77mqsX87CMm9B9MGqVzJgrF9KrVvX987JfFZ-1776120203-O/i-mnrxTzQ.jpg Smoke on the Water The stormy seas of the Pacific crashing onto the Giants Causeway-like rocks at Fingal Head, NSW. This scene became much starker and end-of-the-world like when converted to monochrome! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-T8QnQn7/0/DZvMF6cqvssBfsXRDFDTW6nMB4B9qCzQkPGpcXnrP-1776120203-O/i-T8QnQn7.jpg Moraine in Monochrome Location: Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Canada Moraine Lake isn't often seen without its signature brilliantly blue waters, but this scene -- with its dramatic clouds welling up over the top of the mountains -- begged for black & white. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-dhqPQXL/2/DKTzr6P4gLTzThjskzkb4x55Fv3QDZKRH9L87dFtc-1776120203-O/i-dhqPQXL.jpg Cruising the Icefields Parkway Not-very-nice weather dogged us for our entire drive north on the Icefields Parkway, but it didn't really matter. While we would have liked to have seen the Parkway in brilliant sunshine on at least one of our drives, the angry clouds made for some great scenes in black & white! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-TXS8Zrh/1/C4XjhrwBKsMvttzLmxm6bhg8TKtNtngs6S3np6sf6-1776120203-O/i-TXS8Zrh.jpg Imposing The imposing mountains of Banff National Park rise up in the distance as we cruise along the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper. https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-GStCZKJ/0/CkTbMZNZPJpbw76L6vpWsSd5qpKG5GvcsV6g9GvFh-1776120203-O/i-GStCZKJ.jpg Roland Garros Roland Garros Any guesses where I took this shot? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-fLJGSFX/0/DJsWS2Q7ZktLkQWDp9qwTmc53x28RDP3X2QbdZzJg-1776120203-O/i-fLJGSFX.jpg Storms Descending on the Louvre As the myriad tourists posed with the Louvre's pyramids, a storm slowly moved in over Paris. We were drenched about 10 minutes later! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-GmwSBjG/0/cjb7WPDz9Bcn72nGr2JnL9hgLJFVCssv7gzhNj9R-1776120203-O/i-GmwSBjG.jpg A Moody Reflection of Reine I couldn't get over just how spectacular Reine really was, even when the dark, moody clouds made their way up the fjord. I'd be interested to know if anyone actually uses that dock (and another platform further out in the water) for swimming though -- after having been out in the water this morning, there is no way I'd go near it without a drysuit! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-cRwMWCW/0/CK4rf9Dzj4fTxdT4TWnh8xKkFcbD3RBHS73rrTXsT-1776120203-O/i-cRwMWCW.jpg Little Church in the Valley The beautiful clear skies of the morning gave way to moody clouds in the afternoon, which gave the gorgeous setting of Reine a completely different feel. I thought it worked particularly well for the beautiful little church in the town. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-7Rm92zj/0/C6R2DDStXVhPkQzhDCNQqfdJbHzgnkD8BNC58nVHJ-1776120203-O/i-7Rm92zj.jpg Seagulls in Waiting A few lone seagulls, stragglers from the massive squawking group chasing the fishermen out to sea that morning, waiting for the afternoon's catch and a possible feed at the docks of Reinefjord. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-JW3BcCd/0/CrRNXj7XkchNk5DdvKSVJpTGmL3thd8ZwB3QMWzMN-1776120203-O/i-JW3BcCd.jpg All Smiles The winning airbrush body art entry during the photo call at the 2012 Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-rzCQ6P2/0/DcNHJP2J3SnxGkL9fNkZ9DZbLDBwnchLHZL2gDf8z-1776120203-O/i-rzCQ6P2.jpg Out of the Shadows Shot on Ilford Delta 100 film using a Nikon F100 and fading afternoon light through a window. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-sq46Z99/0/Cn9WJ3HXbT7kqPpZgjrDXCWKwQ34ZBfpWQLphX4pz-1776120203-O/i-sq46Z99.jpg The Photographer My "little" brother, captured on the Cleethorpes Front during the kite festival on the May bank holiday weekend. This is such a Philip expression as well! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-SL3BMnz/0/wCLXVgpbqQKG3pzB8mZMMjHX9BdHnmKHjLsfF2HS-1776120203-O/i-SL3BMnz.jpg Voodoo Priestess A voodoo priestess stalks the catwalk at the Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-qsnbXxQ/1/CLCkKX6P3snG2dW4tnJMzRdj3VnQmWWwDsr9wxP6t-1776120203-O/i-qsnbXxQ.jpg Demure A model poses after her artist has put the finishing touches on her makeup. Australian Body Art Carnivale, 2011. https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-zs5KDWs/0/QPZ4HM6H8x4mdNLMGVR6LntVw7ZWRfNMzTFGTMbZ-1776120203-O/i-zs5KDWs.jpg The Shadows on the Wall My favourite shot from the first roll of film I shot in my F100. This was shot in near darkness with only a flashlight shining in from the right hand side. The camera was balanced on the chessboard. https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-x8gdqVT/0/FBRhNr9Vs3pwdGbg7hq3BbtKCg6BsMbcCbh5V5t86-1776120203-O/i-x8gdqVT.jpg Pretty Kitty Wolverine has learned that my camera usually means a big light going off in his eyes, so it was very difficult to get him to look up for this shot! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-fqxMdTF/0/2LXrc4ZGvpBKtbvvmBgtnPw364L3k8KpGhBWg7PN-1776120203-O/i-fqxMdTF.jpg Shippin' Up to San Fran I just got my first roll of black & white film developed and I was happily surprised when there were 4 decent photos on it! I took this one on my day out with my mom & some family friends during my recent trip to San Francisco. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-CGc2SXc/0/D6wLg9QVqktSSfMgTtRZHK6C59GCWdCXXcqxxCnHG-1776120203-O/i-CGc2SXc.jpg A Beacon in the Fog It was no surprise that my first photo shoot in San Francisco featured a lot of fog; after all, that's what the city is known for. What was interesting, though, was the way the fog dramatically changed this scene, shot from the Embarcadero, between nights: on this night, the view was much better in black & white, which emphasized the almost film noir feeling, while the next night was still foggy but much more suited to brilliant, poppy colours, as seen in "A Not Too Foggy Night." https://photos.smugmug.com/Danbo/i-SwDCmFT/0/CZJrM5Pz3NFZfRf2wMPnFP4kvZpcN4NcsXFJdhVTV-1776120203-O/i-SwDCmFT.jpg The Danbos Find the Mothership I haven't been on the computer much this week because I've been at home in Houston visiting family and friends. I've also spent a lot of time packing things that I left here when I originally moved to Australia...as well as those things I ordered online because they were so much cheaper in America! https://photos.smugmug.com/Danbo/i-zpdD28V/0/DhdbGfBZQPQc9MZv5PnVjRbTSTFwsc5fq9NFs9rpR-1776120203-O/i-zpdD28V.jpg Danbo Learns to Read It's tough learning to read when the book is three times your size. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-5RM2CbK/0/Dqfsgw8mfsn5gpd2xkWwhpFhQ9nHZw53PtMG69XW3-1776120203-O/i-5RM2CbK.jpg The Miniature Waterfall I took this shot during an exercise at a photography workshop that I attended in 2008. It was great fun and it kicked off even more of a photography obsession! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-DKvVCGv/0/DxBBX764j9TtJBBSNrj6thBSnqGx8mPgPZLFptcRX-1776120203-O/i-DKvVCGv.jpg Milford Sound in Monochrome It’s hard to put the feeling of being in Milford Sound into words. It all seemed so much larger than life; the mountains, the waterfalls, and the sky all made me feel so minuscule…but in the most jaw-dropping way possible. I was lucky enough to be there during a summer that had been extremely dry, which meant I’d had perfect blue skies for my entire trek down the Milford Track and into the Sound itself. However, that also meant that I didn’t get to see the walls of the fiord turn into a myriad of waterfalls or see the clouds creeping slowly up the sound. I was okay with that though, because, well, how could I not be with this view? Read more at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/milford-sound-in-monochrome/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights weekly 0.8 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-svh4jTV/0/Cf24b885pBFtn4Q3xRKWSTWRrB72JRMW4cw2KMVWV-1776120202-O/i-svh4jTV.jpg Northern Lights https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-hTpTdSH/0/FQHbfcWTn3Bb8mhgWDfRbCD5pVrt82n42cSSpV4JZ-1776120203-O/i-hTpTdSH.jpg You'll Find Me Under the Bridge Sometimes I feel like the town I live in is too small -- after all, it has 1.1 million less people in it than the next smallest city I've lived in. But on nights with big solar storms like the one on 19 Jan, it's great to know that I can drive for 5 minutes and be in a place dark enough (and with an interesting enough foreground!) to get photos like this one. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-2rPDSWw/0/DBTFT2GSKfssLT9GX9R6LKXTpFPKMLRX64XqZXtQ4-1776120203-O/i-2rPDSWw.jpg Vivid Vejlefjord The solar storm of October 10, 2024, was a sight to behold across the world. Here in Denmark, the entire sky lit up in greens, pinks, and reds that danced the night away long after we should have all been asleep on a work night. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-qNKJM8V/0/3CL2HdrKmCrgjBQHGzRMtrJdN6WGTJdgBfdVG4cm-1776120203-O/i-qNKJM8V.jpg Seeing Red One year ago, the solar storm of October 10, 2024 caused spectacular auroras around the world. Here in southern Denmark, we clearly saw pinks and greens dancing over the fjord. The most impressive part of the show, though, was the brilliant red -- a colour I had never seen in the aurora before. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-XZMRR3g/0/8PBJVNnc6WtpgBf2S29QcgPL6m7nmfMns24MrVds-1776120203-O/i-XZMRR3g.jpg Dancing the Night Away My original plan when I picked up a workshop participant at 3am was to head to Bow Lake to capture the Milky Way in pitch-black skies; however, after watching the northern lights dancing in front of us for the whole drive from Banff, we decided to head up to the Bow Summit (where there is a clear view to the north) instead. This is what we were greeted with -- dancing greens and purples and lights pulsing across the entire sky. I think it was the right choice! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Alberta/i-NK3Q3NN/0/CMrdDjwPc8nj4cHDwCC5LD8WRsckwzW94fnkg4BCR-1776120203-O/i-NK3Q3NN.jpg Dancing on Cowboy Trail Location: Bragg Creek, Alberta, Canada After running a night sky workshop near Bragg Creek, I was concentrating on the road home when someone in the back seat piped up and said, "Is that the northern lights?" Sure enough, I'd been so focused on the road that I'd missed the green lights dancing above! I wasn't driving for very long after that, since Cowboy Trail luckily faces north and has plenty of room to pull off and set up a tripod! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-nJkM7Kg/0/FLzwvQrCTg49TZchvJK8tdTWpJjXh7xVGZ73MnFL-1776120203-O/i-nJkM7Kg.jpg The Minnewanka Dancefloor When we started the night shooting at Vermilion Lakes, we had no idea it would end with watching the aurora dance high above Lake Minnewanka! The clouds, which had been much heavier earlier in the evening, gradually cleared and let us see this gorgeous display all across the northern sky. It was the strongest auroras I've seen yet in Alberta! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-pShhH8R/0/DLgCBp6xj9Qjs8Gb8qQBZMS3SJR44js2mV7Xv9mW2-1776120203-O/i-pShhH8R.jpg Santa's Heading Home Late on the evening of Christmas Day, we headed out to Lake Minnewanka to see if we could get a glimpse of the northern lights, which were supposed to be quite strong. Not only did we see them dancing above the peaks at the end of the lake, but we also caught a glimpse of Santa heading back home to the North Pole (or it could have been a meteorite -- you decide)! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Alberta/i-w5pFWcp/0/CghgLb5p2DFBN6CnDgHXqSpSwNGcCjX36br3W2hNP-1776120203-O/i-w5pFWcp.jpg Yes, That's Green You See When we hopped in the car around 11.30 on this evening in October, heading west, we could see the beams through the light pollution of Calgary. It just got better as we got further outside the city limits! I think my partner James may actually believe that the aurora is green now (since every other time he's been out aurora hunting it's looked white)! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Jasper-National-Park/i-KP8qhNW/0/DMzt5XZ7FsrgNXhxKZ9mXX53tXZGmbdfBrLBCj5Mt-1776120203-O/i-KP8qhNW.jpg Dark Skies with a Hint of Green The northern lights light up the skies above Jasper and the waters of Lake Edith below. It was well worth the wait on the shoreline, even if it was so quiet that I jumped out of my skin when a fish jumped nearby! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-mhSXhcQ/0/DP4PMBRfBrZgD4BnZ4qVbht9TKtcDMdfT2HvP5MzG-1776120203-O/i-mhSXhcQ.jpg The Purple, Green, and Blue Lagoon Wow, how different the Blue Lagoon looks under the night sky! Even though the aurora was not incredibly bright on this evening, I still love the combination of colours created by it and the light pollution from Keflavík nearby. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-zkzHLzx/0/zpDbC4z5xnwtN8Gp3Gb8nthh5rc6gnDb7S4jGh3z-1776120203-O/i-zkzHLzx.jpg When Skógafoss Turned Green My friend and I had joked that a perfect day in Iceland would include (1) blue skies as we went four-wheel-driving in Landmannalaugar, (2) a colourful sunset at Seljalandsfoss, and (3) the northern lights over Skógafoss. Seeing this meant we were 3/3 for the day! Shooting here was actually quite difficult, since the aurora was so bright and the waterfall was so dark. Trying to light paint it just resulted in lighting up the huge amount of spray coming off the falls. But really, we got to see the aurora over one of Iceland's more famous waterfalls. It doesn't get much better than that. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-V7jXTh9/0/pLDnRQSv4LqZKdKBPZHd4X9bhq7fhxtFVKXbZDGn-1776120203-O/i-V7jXTh9.jpg What's at the End of the Aurora? They say there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so what's at the end of the aurora? Because I reckon it's just over that hill in Fludir, Iceland... https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-DqTR8Ct/0/FHRFSKLBrhRTgj86bhvtRc62xGTnnp9WfBThvnCfQ-1776120203-O/i-DqTR8Ct.jpg Above the Fields of Fludir The aurora did its best to out-green the fields of Fludir on this clear September night in Iceland. I think it did a pretty good job. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-9Qjq7z5/0/fZtmfCWQrQd4XbJLKbQR97Xt8MT5JmwtGchJVLV9-1776120203-O/i-9Qjq7z5.jpg The Big Dipper's Aurora The aurora dances across the sky just below the Big Dipper. I captured this scene just outside the small town of Fludir, near Gullfoss waterfall at the end of the Golden Circle. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-FxGQcwR/0/GX3BxBsR5MxGCFW4cGmQPHz8jzQ4RKNTM9DCB8ww-1776120203-O/i-FxGQcwR.jpg Dancing at the Lighthouse After I picked up my friend at Keflavik airport, we made a beeline for the closest landmark I knew -- the Gardur Lighthouse -- to try to watch the northern lights we could already see from the parking lot with less light pollution. It was a good choice ! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-48XtVNb/1/f4KfzKkzx2rshgtL9CgqxXN6tKQ3hJ695KG4gnVZ-1776120203-O/i-48XtVNb.jpg The Green Lights of Gardur Lighthouse Location: Gardur, Reykjanes peninsula, Iceland This isn't your standard lighthouse light, but hey, I think I prefer it to a simple white flashing beam! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-vTHxCGK/0/DX7shWZrjmBNx28MdsMLZj8cN8MpWVgFxpCwRhv7C-1776120203-O/i-vTHxCGK.jpg Swirling Reykjanes Sky The northern lights swirl over the beach at Gardur on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula. I kind of like how a slight bump to my tripod resulted in a sky full of shooting stars too! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Lb58pk2/1/FCZHh2wLbr93BGsmt7KvNrPsPSHCVL3nTDtGbrJNn-1776120203-O/i-Lb58pk2.jpg River of Green The River Skjálfandafljót, which flows out the spectacular Godafoss waterfall, lighting up green underneath spectacular northern lights. Even with the slight cloud cover, the lights were clearly visible. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-L9DkDzG/0/D7z6JQMCnhDqSvJ4xDwV68zP3L5Z9TsnqJnSWXm9C-1776120203-O/i-L9DkDzG.jpg The Waterfall of the Gods There is no doubt in my mind as to why Icelanders dubbed this waterfall Goðafoss, or "the waterfall of the gods." This was certainly a great way to spend a Friday evening and was one of the most memorable aurora displays I've seen to date! I also felt like it was quite an accomplishment to even get a night shot at ground level of Goðafoss. The spray here was so heavy that my gear was literally dripping afterwards, so trying to get a shot that wasn't obscured by spray on the lens was not easy! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-MPCCHZT/0/CSR4LCRwGrvczHMZXmdFJCK433fgmr6d5rZWkXhhf-1776120203-O/i-MPCCHZT.jpg The Dance of the Aurora and the Waterfall The aurora dancing across the sky above the famous Godafoss in northern Iceland. I loved how it managed to defy the clouds trying to move in and hide it, since it meant hours more aurora watching for me! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-X9LTbRv/0/CM9g8tzzRXQXCVbSWP2dvMFvVVNWnbfTJgvLC7sZR-1776120203-O/i-X9LTbRv.jpg Swirling Sky, Churning Waterfall The aurora dances above the spectacular Goðafoss in northern Iceland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-sQjgqFT/0/qhDpfdBMhDnvfFGwVwg4fJgpZCgRgNSfGvjPL5xV-1776120203-O/i-sQjgqFT.jpg A Lucky Glimpse of the Aurora I couldn't believe that on my first night in Iceland, I was able to see the northern lights. I also couldn't believe that I happened to wake up at 3am and catch one of the few moments of clear skies -- I had 15 minutes before the whole sky was shrouded in clouds again. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zmkHzFN/0/vGnTSnTs7gdBt26jWZrnNTZqbwRXds2p7QCjPnvD-1776120203-O/i-zmkHzFN.jpg Northern Lights in Hiding We got very excited on the last night of our recent trip to Lofoten because it looked like everything was coming together. The sky was clear, the northern horizon was starting to glow green...and then this happened. Luckily we got a few beams before the clouds completely covered them up again! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NbGSfPW/0/DkQbL3xnQt8ghFv3vpGFJMV6vrjNKP4xVFdxpHJGv-1776120203-O/i-NbGSfPW.jpg A Hint of the Aurora A tantalising hint of the aurora behind the clouds on Flakstadøya in the Lofoten Islands. Unfortunately these clouds were an ever-present part of our trip there so this was just about the closest we got to seeing the aurora. That said, there's no way we could complain, because Lofoten in January is one of the most stunning places in the world. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-svh4jTV/0/FMB94tMJTJMgqVMb3Jgns8gb6J67nCqX3DmvJwKXx-1776120203-O/i-svh4jTV.jpg The Good Shepherd...of the Aurora How amazing is this?! I'd hoped for auroras to appear during our time in Tekapo, since it's known as having one of the darkest skies in the world. We were lucky enough to have it two nights running (although we could only see it with the naked eye on one of those nights). I should have known the minute I got to the Church of the Good Shepherd that they could be seen with the camera, since there was a horde of photographers all facing south, which is probably not a normal occurrence at 11pm! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-mkB3JzN/0/Cg7Q8wS8r74NBd9tT9GzhxjFQcjPJtmG5ZPDDZfKZ-1776120203-O/i-mkB3JzN.jpg The Church of the Southern Lights What good luck is this?! Of our three nights in Lake Tekapo, we were treated to pink southern skies for two of them. The aurora may not have been visibly dancing, but it was most definitely there! If you'd like to capture a photo like this, why not come along on our Explore Capture Repeat tour next year? We can't guarantee auroras but if the southern lights are in the sky, we'll be out capturing them! Learn more at http://ecr.photo/nz. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-JWzHgm7/0/bhcjZWWdLgqSbwKx897fFBcB3d5vxKpmPwD2nDPt-1776120203-O/i-JWzHgm7.jpg My Corona https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-BHjzmk2/0/DzRvcKS8Pp4tvSNBnCQzwXtJ2ZHJqWgqmFxv3DS68-1776120203-O/i-BHjzmk2.jpg The Western Sky in Green The aurora seems to fall towards the earth in the western sky over Galdotieva in far northwest Finnish Lapland. Taken at the end of March 2013 near full moon. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vzVqR8s/0/DQHG5rMtSQdpNw3qx75Ncdq7vxqtcRgd6vv73HJNn-1776120203-O/i-vzVqR8s.jpg Auroraburst The aurora seemingly emanating from one of the cabins at Galdotieva, near the Norwegian border in Enontekiö, Finland. Even under the full moon, the northern lights completely lit up the sky in green. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Cmz5cKN/0/SXrBkwJZ2pR3rbgCXFTVTWxvpbBQF4TQXT7KQs7P-1776120203-O/i-Cmz5cKN.jpg It Came From the Trees A swirling green and purple aurora appearing just behind the trees that line Lake Palojärvi in northwestern Finland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qDvgQgT/0/FJsPxNvpzK8FGFk5hW4SctpTtMCC3HHCR2dJgh6Lc-1776120203-O/i-qDvgQgT.jpg A Rain of Lights It was hard to tell where to look when this storm of northern lights started. They were all across the sky, moving so quickly that it was hard to keep up. What a great way to finish up my trip to Lapland! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-SvPK9bN/0/DrtSq9DqZFFZhLS2LKLcMpCBDFNbSJ4mKndrC4w3D-1776120203-O/i-SvPK9bN.jpg Stars and Stripes I finally saw the northern lights in Porjus, one year after I first went there to see them. This visit was under the full moon, so I didn't expect to see much -- but this aurora was so bright that it still sparkled in the already well-lit sky. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-KzKc7Hc/0/D2BBG75M7xnbQ3Lr4RdknzDWGzPXJ2BtZJxFBVjKd-1776120203-O/i-KzKc7Hc.jpg Porjus Station House Under the Aurora Auroras dance over the Porjus Station House in Swedish Lapland. They were still clearly visible even though it was full moon! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-PRrTpZG/0/FNXQ6CGftBGBmqvtbGfZ898d3KLxXhD77D3M6M64r-1776120203-O/i-PRrTpZG.jpg St Patrick's Day in Finland Two years ago on St Patrick's Day, we were in for an absolute treat. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. I'm so glad that I booked in on a last-minute trip that took us to this hill in Kätkävaara, far out in the Finnish wilderness. There was no light pollution so we got to watch the amazing show until the guide forced us all back into the van! Read more (and see more photos) on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-p5qMwf7/0/FHT76DnP8NRcHwdZTKMz6BV9bxdFNF2ndFn9qW4Pv-1776120203-O/i-p5qMwf7.jpg The Height of the Storm To learn more about the northern lights, how to photograph them, and how to travel around Lapland successfully, check out my new 'Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter' available at http://www.winterinlapland.com. The people on my tour to Kätkävaara in Finnish Lapland on the night this was taken had no idea where in the sky to look. The aurora was bouncing across the sky and moving so quickly it was hard to keep track! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6zmRGm5/0/FNxDqWGF43GjSCV8HFqmfMmMqhbFzcM2XmHjm9zTr-1776120203-O/i-6zmRGm5.jpg St Patrick's Day Party in the Sky We were in for an absolute treat on St. Patrick's Day this year. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. So glad I booked in on a trip that took us to a hill in the middle of nowhere because there was no light pollution to block the amazing show! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Vf3JJtc/0/Dwxh3L2zNLjBqktq59MWWKd7hZ2mmGnXDBgq7JGXh-1776120203-O/i-Vf3JJtc.jpg The Best Sort of Storm Because there is supposed to be a massive geomagnetic storm hitting the earth's atmosphere today, here's a shot from a solar storm that I witnessed. This shot of the northern lights was taken as our guide was trying to shuttle us back down to the bus at the end of our tour. Luckily, we dug in our heels and asked if we could stay for just a few more minutes, since those minutes featured the most impressive auroras I've ever seen. They were moving so quickly across the sky, with coronas wildly pulsating above our heads, that I soon gave up taking photos and simply stared at it in awe. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-XkJ9TMN/0/j6CDRt7gBRK3CHPGCFgxB6P2HL3xGRKMVMDfHSKg-1776120203-O/i-XkJ9TMN.jpg The Sky Is Falling The movement in the aurora during the solar storm on March 17 was just unbelievable. It was moving across the sky faster than we could follow it. It danced, it morphed, and at times like this one, it looked like it was falling straight through the atmosphere towards the Earth. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-gKMVVFN/0/Dk7jsG5kgkLHjT7JgV7FfmFJ6QqwFvK4bNtrCXGhj-1776120203-O/i-gKMVVFN.jpg Pink, Green & Gold On March 17, I was lucky enough to witness a huge northern lights show, courtesy of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun a few days earlier. We saw nearly every colour the aurora appears in as it danced from one side of the sky to the other. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6Zhf6WP/0/JnBWj2Wv8KBJbt7mVccV6XjgfsKpNNSDjVjd2gRM-1776120203-O/i-6Zhf6WP.jpg The Aurora Hunters One year ago today, on St. Patrick's Day 2013, a massive solar storm lit up the skies above Finnish Lapland. I was lucky enough to have booked a tour that night to Katkavaara, a nature reserve far away from the lights of any city, so we had an unadulterated view of the night sky. It was an experience that is beyond words. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-kzVjMpx/0/DjkvB8LJzSbrzCBn6F6Bx4FDg3zBZpVdcRVjG7PbC-1776120203-O/i-kzVjMpx.jpg Aurora Ignites Northern lights dancing in the sky over Kätkävaara, Finland, collide with light pollution in the distance, creating what seemed to be the aurora igniting in front of our eyes. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-GJjMhg4/0/FXm4McBN9hmj6fvXgdNJ5Q8rgDHjjtGwsksz5Zn2R-1776120203-O/i-GJjMhg4.jpg Smiling Sky Like with clouds, it's amazing what you can see in the shapes of the northern lights. I swear I can see a smiley in this shot from the top of a hill in Kätkävaara, Finland. Can you? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-74zhbSL/0/QnvBWMN8NcP5bBXpCPntKbcfPRR5hZsRpHzkJnGG-1776120203-O/i-74zhbSL.jpg The Solar Storm and the Radioactive Snow A solar storm on St Patrick's Day 2013 created auroras so strong over Finnish Lapland that they actually made the snow glow green! This was taken on a tour to Kätkävaara that I signed up for at the last minute in hopes of getting out of the city and really seeing the storm. I'm so glad I did! See more photos of the best auroras I've ever seen on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qgQWVCn/0/DSX8w5c89jqLNsCw7kL9735FkD7kx4SKtBLNXB3LV-1776120203-O/i-qgQWVCn.jpg Zigzag When we first hiked 400m up a hill in Kâtkâvaara, Finnish Lapland, to see the northern lights, our guide pointed out north and told us that was the direction the lights would come from. Then we turned south and saw this! The lights stretched from horizon to horizon that night…it was stunning. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-8KzfDN5/0/D9tkMMmXTv6pQ27njS8cXqpvJPpbSfV9DxWK2cFFF-1776120203-O/i-8KzfDN5.jpg Solar Storm Over Rovaniemi On St. Patrick's Day 2013, a massive solar storm hit the earth's atmosphere, causing auroras as far south as Colorado. In Finland, we had spectacular northern lights all through the night that were clearly visible even in cities with as much light pollution as Rovaniemi. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vqQfQdV/0/C9pzdddCQ3b6bb3L6Fkrq32mFwf4TnwhZbd29CqHr-1776120203-O/i-vqQfQdV.jpg Inside the Glass Igloo I was lucky enough to see the northern lights many times while I was in Finland last year. One of the most memorable nights I had was the one I spent in a glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. Not only did I not have to go outside in the -38ºC temperatures, but I could just adjust my bed to the perfect angle and watch them from bed! Read more about my night in the glass igloos on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-RQNqxZ7/0/D5sNzq8w3jqVStBMtWSDMnPbBgkFNCMQs8MKFQLRq-1776120203-O/i-RQNqxZ7.jpg Nighttime in a Glass Igloo This was my view from inside my glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. My stay there was a highlight on my itinerary and it absolutely did not disappoint. How could it when I could lie in bed taking photos of the northern lights when it was -38C outside?! http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-rSmGp4B/0/CZdw9qc4kvJNm929TPs7GfJsMFcg7qBWRzC6KrMrq-1776120203-O/i-rSmGp4B.jpg City of Lights You're often told, when you head north to the Arctic Circle, that you'll need to get out of the city to see the northern lights properly. That's often true, as the light pollution blocks you from seeing the full strength of the aurora, but sometimes you're lucky enough to see a scene like this right behind your hotel. Taken in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, behind the Hotel Kultahippu. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-kvQTcK5/0/DTVbhJQctrnMRBPvMwWRktSwV3LnHrF3VLHX47HnC-1776120203-O/i-kvQTcK5.jpg The God of the Sky When you're watching the northern lights light up the Arctic sky, it's very easy to understand why people used to believe that they were the work of the gods. In particular, the Sami believed that the northern lights were the souls of their ancestors coming back to dance across the sky. How can you not believe them when shapes like this one appear? It looks to me like a hooded man flying across the sky with one arm extended and one at his side...what do you see? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-KJHjzG7/0/DGfVDCDv4RVhcSCjGQjzw75RgjV82SpbPcQdZSxRN-1776120203-O/i-KJHjzG7.jpg Aurora Dancing Above Inari The first time I saw the northern lights, they appeared as a dim green line across the sky. The second time I saw the northern lights, in Inari, Finland, they danced across the entire northern sky. It was amazing. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FZhfht7/0/FCK3RGNwhLtMQ5V4DcGk3NRQ6zQzXTGgs9vnKbvJC-1776120203-O/i-FZhfht7.jpg Green Skies Over Camp Tamok After eight nights (spread across two trips) of scanning the skies patiently for any speck of green, I finally saw the skies over Camp Tamok light up with the northern lights! It was an amazing experience and one that I nearly missed taking a photo of because I was so transfixed. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people weekly 0.8 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-79rNtbQ/0/FWST8stNpQfRJfD6X3ZzXTZQvCc78rF55495bQhC8-1776120202-O/i-79rNtbQ.jpg People My brother participating in the Color Run Sunshine Coast. Purple was definitely one of the best colours! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-DGw2qtC/0/FRgqpkrKTBn5JTnVbTprgtTtptVNVS3D2WX3QmVz4-1776120202-O/i-DGw2qtC.jpg Boarding the Hogwarts Express These guys couldn't be happier about riding the Hogwarts Express (aka the Jacobite steam train that runs between Mallaig and Fort William). https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-z6qnkrL/0/CztjMwJsJwZfv4vRGbfNWZgsNpHJGRxqCfnRTSRh7-1776120202-O/i-z6qnkrL.jpg Duncarloway Hiking Travellers on the Haggis Adventures 'Hebridean Hopper' hiking over the hills of Duncarloway on the Isle of Lewis. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-bgZQRc4/0/DzmR4DNFzZgVKjkXP5rcWvXTLBbBRDVg6xGp4gRpw-1776120202-O/i-bgZQRc4.jpg Browsing the Helsinki Day Markets The residents of Helsinki out and about, enjoying their city's celebratory day on a fine summer day in early June. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-dm9SsDB/0/CvFzMG3RNmbsQ8Nk3VGM5dg4XW58Ffftwqxhz45F5-1776120202-O/i-dm9SsDB.jpg Jellurgal Welcome One of the four aboriginal dancers that welcomed us to the Jellurgal Aboriginal Centre at a beach on Tallebudgera Creek. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-KH2J3Vv/0/Cd3SJDQXvSkZWKs2JRPPLBMc2bGSCtKDFNRJXGFRX-1776120202-O/i-KH2J3Vv.jpg Explosion of Colour The whole crowd at the Color Run Finish Festival explodes into colour during one of many 'colour throws.' This is my favourite part of the colour run since all the colours are mixed together (as opposed to the stations on the course itself, which are dedicated to an individual colour). https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-DB9Q26B/0/CKbFR2fnRh6gQvmkL6N9N3GRSFXHkKSVdS3nRvVhk-1776120202-O/i-DB9Q26B.jpg Inside the Colour Throw This is what it's like to be in a crowd participating in a Colour Throw at the Color Run. I think I was happy to be this distance away still! Taken at the Color Run Sunshine Coast. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-ZPnkVj2/0/CkTrjJbgzjwVnt5q8jrG8HfktL3dxx2Wdq9mbmfvF-1776120203-O/i-ZPnkVj2.jpg Akubra Sunset The sun sets behind Kieran Lusk's akubra at the Queensland Instameet in October 2014. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-WS9KMD3/0/FTbdxGhPggrxThfhC5SsVtnLtBfz9bkmwR3GZCVB4-1776120203-O/i-WS9KMD3.jpg Color Run Grins The colourful crowds piling in to the finish area at the end of the Brisbane Color Run 2014. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-cvmMKqg/0/CVs9279pFBnKCcMhd64psCC996zp5jkj22TVH23xq-1776120203-O/i-cvmMKqg.jpg Sea of Hands A sea of colourful hands after one of the many colour throws done at the end of the Color Run Brisbane. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-ndJvPcm/0/CLzd4CpdksdJmsGzQvBTjtQHdWkN8wrZzTGnrrDcB-1776120203-O/i-ndJvPcm.jpg Color Run Happiness Location: Color Run, Brisbane, Australia Happy runners participating in a "colour throw" after finishing the Brisbane Color Run. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-qtNQmJW/0/nm8r6C5Vs4bNL5xpztCj7JwPBNswwhnBggqCq66d-1776120203-O/i-qtNQmJW.jpg Raining Yellow It really was raining colours at the Color Run Brisbane. Such a fun event! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-2tJsTQM/0/DRn2hdnDFMBLfw48pXq7NcvGQGg76vPNGZtRmPjRs-1776120203-O/i-2tJsTQM.jpg Day of the Dead One of the many entries into the "Dreams and Nightmares"-themed Australian Body Art Carnivale in 2014. Model Gabriella, artist Rachel Casanelia. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-czSPjHf/0/DzGKtkQ86pLxR7Qn9wW58J2gMPC6zxn7wNHk2GxZF-1776120203-O/i-czSPjHf.jpg Underneath the Paint One of the many gorgeous entries under the "Dreams and Nightmares" theme at the 2014 Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-SXgzMLb/0/sCHtkhnKqzTVqXL2wMqD38ckZTm2WvV94fczL6Vx-1776120203-O/i-SXgzMLb.jpg Under the Mask https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-Bq6vCr4/0/C3vKH8KxgD9s5B5Zz59sKwwQSfmNsvPgzn6mRNjhn-1776120203-O/i-Bq6vCr4.jpg The Eyes of Chaos https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-C9QDqDc/0/pgctk6nGdTtgqnKpPX6XbzKsZFbsCkmHHhcKS5r5-1776120203-O/i-C9QDqDc.jpg We Want You! The amazing body art work of Kelli MacAlpine at the Australian Body Art Carnivale. This artwork won second place in the airbrush competition and the model, LeeLu, got best model of the day. Completely deserved on both fronts! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-h5zwL47/0/NwTsDHZGcBtVmf769VVmm4tKJTCwWLTjzZdLWB8L-1776120203-O/i-h5zwL47.jpg Artistic Kelli MacAlpine's gorgeous entry into the 2014 Australian Body Art Carnivale for the theme "Dreams and Nightmares." Model: Leelu. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-KxPt5cr/0/Xz74mtVJXq58wS35zGqgTkwsgGhWZ2xc7Fp4C7V8-1776120203-O/i-KxPt5cr.jpg He Does Sweat! Proof that, contrary , contrary to popular belief, Roger Federer does actually sweat when it's 40ºC outside! Taken during the semifinals of the Brisbane International vs. Jeremy Chardy [8]. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-MDLW9NF/0/FRsL63Cqwj4kcQqGCPSr949X74DBj8c3T5tCKNWSG-1776120203-O/i-MDLW9NF.jpg Victory! The French crowd jumps out of their seats to cheer for Gael Monfils after he squeaked through his first round match at Roland Garros in 2013. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-jrMh856/0/DTPpVTpmWZcgF88gVG66srXQrcSTvZfqBhWWz2BS6-1776120203-O/i-jrMh856.jpg The Death Stare Rafa death staring at a ball as he clawed his way back into his first round match at Roland Garros 2013. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-hPXGb8M/0/8FWTHLwBkhzcxVS98fKRnFDTSPNRKPvBVPBR4rXh-1776120203-O/i-hPXGb8M.jpg Trademark Rafa Forehand Rafa cracks a forehand during practice before his first round Roland Garros match in 2013. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-qN6LjLN/0/CxJHCbTSmbwCkn7wP3DxsnD9MhrgVnCdPKGZHPXsB-1776120203-O/i-qN6LjLN.jpg It's a Race! It's a Race! Reindeer take off from the starting gates during one of the reindeer races at the 2013 Sami Easter Festival in Kautokeino, Norway. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-mWMPnhQ/0/C9tXKFMZ4q5WJVxjq2SrB8cCLMhHC8WBRxRG9pNwr-1776120203-O/i-mWMPnhQ.jpg Be Good for Goodness' Sake! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-bdwvNwd/0/CLzwjj7c3CBp2Lj8mqLvhgsczLk3D6FHd6KqSf5MP-1776120203-O/i-bdwvNwd.jpg The Trademark Serve I'd always wanted to see Goran Ivanisevic belt out his trademark serve live. I may have only gotten to see him when he was playing in the seniors in the Australian Open in 2013, but that was better than nothing! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-MTDrWf2/0/DKTtk8N7RbW2R4ksCjV9x2XPp7zJJLwHHVVgGpc2B-1776120203-O/i-MTDrWf2.jpg Golden Girl One of the dancers in a Brisbane Bollywood troupe just before sunset on a gorgeous day in Brisbane. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-JW3BcCd/0/CrRNXj7XkchNk5DdvKSVJpTGmL3thd8ZwB3QMWzMN-1776120203-O/i-JW3BcCd.jpg All Smiles The winning airbrush body art entry during the photo call at the 2012 Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-4DtmmPw/0/Ln2sBpKSBq9ZM5LK6C7zsCgH44NcD34XKTPGkhKM-1776120203-O/i-4DtmmPw.jpg Pensive One of the many fantastic entries into the brush & sponge competition at the Australian Body Art Carnivale 2012. Artist: Orly Snir https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-pghXPHK/0/CdFFRK3C3FshqkKPJK6r26PmTpv2TQSDMLrBZ5d6g-1776120203-O/i-pghXPHK.jpg Hiding in the Vines One of the many fantastic entries into the brush & sponge competition at the Australian Body Art Carnivale 2012. Artist: Orly Snir https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-rzCQ6P2/0/DcNHJP2J3SnxGkL9fNkZ9DZbLDBwnchLHZL2gDf8z-1776120203-O/i-rzCQ6P2.jpg Out of the Shadows Shot on Ilford Delta 100 film using a Nikon F100 and fading afternoon light through a window. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-sq46Z99/0/Cn9WJ3HXbT7kqPpZgjrDXCWKwQ34ZBfpWQLphX4pz-1776120203-O/i-sq46Z99.jpg The Photographer My "little" brother, captured on the Cleethorpes Front during the kite festival on the May bank holiday weekend. This is such a Philip expression as well! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-SL3BMnz/0/wCLXVgpbqQKG3pzB8mZMMjHX9BdHnmKHjLsfF2HS-1776120203-O/i-SL3BMnz.jpg Voodoo Priestess A voodoo priestess stalks the catwalk at the Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-qsnbXxQ/1/CLCkKX6P3snG2dW4tnJMzRdj3VnQmWWwDsr9wxP6t-1776120203-O/i-qsnbXxQ.jpg Demure A model poses after her artist has put the finishing touches on her makeup. Australian Body Art Carnivale, 2011. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-ZCT5dWX/0/DCdz5BvdcTW7pPDKGBHRBgXG6BZJfZGWzKhQnvWs7-1776120203-O/i-ZCT5dWX.jpg The Observers Anzac Day weekend this year was absolutely manic and included a spontaneous camping trip to Somerset Dam. Luckily, someone was hooning around in the mud in a Commodore wagon so everyone gathered on the edge of the campsite to watch, giving me some great silhouettes! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-cLkwBjd/0/CTZWwFDsXvmvz2Hg2hCbGs4fKH2zgNNbw7zPfjGTd-1776120203-O/i-cLkwBjd.jpg I See the Light Early in 2010 my friend Steve organised a great rooftop photo shoot with 5 models. After we got a bit fed up with the rain, we headed into the darkened hallways of the building and got some of our most dramatic shots of the night! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-Q78pQsJ/0/CD9VpFdxcnhHRvMb6zfWKG593X38wSHB3chWdwqFn-1776120203-O/i-Q78pQsJ.jpg The Right Way to Start the Weekend Not a bad way at all to spend a Friday afternoon in Brisbane! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-GdDvCNV/0/DnvWr9sddj4t6tJg5qTSsFm2SWb4zWSDSw8RKGFZG-1776120203-O/i-GdDvCNV.jpg Why the Long Face? Going to see the men's finals of the inaugural Brisbane International was the last installment in my insanely busy weekend. The singles final was a three-set thriller won by Radek Stepanek. While the doubles final didn't provide quite the same drama, it was entertaining for another reason: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I like watching him play because he always seems to enjoy himself on court. Even when he was complaining to the umpire, he was laughing! I like this shot because he looks so sad while he's holding a trophy (for winning with Marc Gicquel)...but he's actually about to burst into laughter! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-KRmdFCv/0/Fp4VRK3QJdJ3KpnpcTX6fNBHLbhMbRGvhsbmB4kx-1776120203-O/i-KRmdFCv.jpg Fear, Thy Name is Rosella I took this picture in the lorikeet feeding area at O'Reillys, which is a retreat situated in Lamington National Park near the Gold Coast. The lorikeets and rosellas had no fear and landed on anybody that stood still. Unfortunately for this little girl, her dad stood in one place for just a moment too long! I love how the crimson rosella actually looks menacing here...which she must have been able to sense because she burst into tears seconds after I took this! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-5RM2CbK/0/Dqfsgw8mfsn5gpd2xkWwhpFhQ9nHZw53PtMG69XW3-1776120203-O/i-5RM2CbK.jpg The Miniature Waterfall I took this shot during an exercise at a photography workshop that I attended in 2008. It was great fun and it kicked off even more of a photography obsession! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-83zvthS/0/NCShmkZwDKpLWgc2CxfrsRFK6RqNLH6cfNfVGXkx-1776120203-O/i-83zvthS.jpg Levitating A shot from the "freezing water droplets" practical in the photography workshop I attended in 2008. I think it looks like she's practicing levitation! https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-DSBhBb9/0/8SXksgK4kxFKWrZK2KPtbDGTxS5bJNgrZpjxMJ3m-1776120203-O/i-DSBhBb9.jpg Ooh, I Won! A man attending the auction looking on very happily. https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-T7hVh9N/0/Cs9p68k3gDtvZWmcD7XjzrHZp4phqRS4WjDvNZcTX-1776120203-O/i-T7hVh9N.jpg Visions of Eucalypts I shot this macro of my eye while I was standing in a large eucalypt forest that I stumbled upon on my way home from work. I probably shot about 10 different angles before I managed to get a bit of reflection on the iris! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/perchtenlaufen weekly 0.8 https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-8dHKLM9/0/KkhMSJ9LNGsHjpdjLnhtpPMTbgq7KzfhKrK6qbNvc/X3/The%20Night%20of%20the%20Perchten-X3.jpg Perchtenlaufen https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-vPKjkPG/0/DtfLdGHCgDrqgkmTMcvw2w34SQqVK5B7sBwsSfQCt-1776120203-O/i-vPKjkPG.jpg The Perchten Arrive in Scheffau The spectacle of Perchtenlaufen in Tyrol is something that has to be seen to be believed. The shadows of horns projected on the walls, echoing of drums, the off-key horns, the bells, the explosions...all contained in between the wooden buildings of Austrian mountain towns (with the entire town's fire brigade on standby just in case). I would go back to see it again in a heartbeat. https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-5bj8Bw6/0/FMbw8FdvJXVFddNTDRBxq4VGWL7vBVtKFrmrBJgGz-1776120203-O/i-5bj8Bw6.jpg Chasing Away Winter With Fire and Tridents Itter Perchtentreffen 2024 -- what a night! Salven Pass was the second of many perchten "passes" to perform on the night, and I will never forget the echoing of the drums or the tone of their howling horns as they chased away the evil spirits of winter. It was absolutely one of the most fascinating and entertaining festivals I have ever witnessed. https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-8ZDFSpv/0/Cz5sbKvNKsQz9zzLtVPmcfdBXf6wP4FwrmCr6fnHs-1776120203-O/i-8ZDFSpv.jpg Look Mom, He's Breathing Fire! The crowd looks on at the sheer spectacle of Saida Pass' performance at Perchtenlauf in Rattenberg. Throughout the first week of December, groups (or "passes") perform in Perchten events across Austria's Tyrol region. We went to many of these shows over the course of three days, but the ones in Rattenberg -- a charming city on the banks of the river Inn -- were our absolute favourites. I won't be forgetting the din of all the drums echoing off the walls of the city anytime soon! https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-8dHKLM9/0/T5VHK8GJCv5xK2fX6mpFjNCcWjFmBWvCTjbbDvMX-1776120203-O/i-8dHKLM9.jpg The Night of the Perchten It may seem like a normal night in the alpine town of Rattenberg, but if you look a little closer, you may see the spirits of winter being chased through the streets... https://kristinrepsher.com/shop/cart https://kristinrepsher.com/workshops/terms-conditions yearly 0.3 https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/a-devil-at-cradle monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-zqwsNBp/0/RfX7gSL2zNvDkXmjkcstMP9HvJC7Fw78dtSDdrKw-1776120203-O/i-zqwsNBp.jpg A Devil at Cradle One of the many Tassie Devils at the Devils@Cradle centre near Cradle Mountain. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/a-lorikeet-in-singapore monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-R7PJmCp/0/bFVr6tMgc2nFqsH24NS75zMhsHNj6WN4k9brKjMx-1776120203-O/i-R7PJmCp.jpg A Lorikeet in Singapore A rainbow lorikeet sitting in the trees in Jurong Bird Park's 'Lory Loft.' https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/a-portrait-of-curiosity monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-w8Qvdkz/0/D299rM74HCCcMhBL74qp8FphWHTPGTgwkFxVWn7Cn-1776120203-O/i-w8Qvdkz.jpg A Portrait of Curiosity These water dragons are everywhere in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens--there are apparently so many that there's a monument to them! You can see them lounging in the grass, on tree trunks, on the shores of small ponds, and in the middle of every sidewalk there. If you get too close, most skitter away (with the funniest run I've ever seen on a reptile), but this one seemed content to just pose and slowly nose closer to the camera. Unfortunately he only posed for split seconds, which is why there's a bit of motion blur around his body! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/a-stroll-in-the-mud monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-CdZdcVw/0/D4R3Z9Cj6hdVTXRFs8Gkvnn2WKgSZ5qL2HnqwwtQm-1776120203-O/i-CdZdcVw.jpg A Stroll in the Mud Honey finally decides to come out and see what all the fuss is about. She is one of the most famous 'hairy coos' in Scotland and lives at the Trossachs Woolen Mill near Stirling. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/attentive monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-pmGXM4d/0/FRQXZDPPMvKsXHb9Q9hqmVWn46bbWtgMN2c3HV3PS-1776120203-O/i-pmGXM4d.jpg Attentive One of the many huskies at Camp Tamok -- the base for Lyngsfjord Adventure in Norway's Lyngen Alps -- harnessed up and ready to go sledding. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/but-muuuum-i-m-tired monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-KX3H8NS/0/CrvXc6ttTMMvDqCvNXGRWbhDq9WtsVVLDj39kmtS9-1776120203-O/i-KX3H8NS.jpg But Muuuum! I'm Tired! Aww, this adorable month-old husky puppy at Kamisak Farm is tired. Good thing his mother was there to bundle him into his dog house (puppy house?) to have a good rest. Being a puppy is tiring! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/dude monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-XdZWkmj/0/CmTh7kDHTh5trRVgPNGtCB95qJH46nR43KxhCDHWX-1776120203-O/i-XdZWkmj.jpg Dude! This was one of the absolute highlights of my travels around Australia with my family. As we were swimming back to the beach at Michaelmas Cay, we crossed paths with this green turtle and swam with him for about 10 minutes! He didn't seem bothered at all and just kept swimming along. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/feed-me-now monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-2bJ2Zv8/0/jKCXnKLLncVJ58FLXwWbnk7F3Ff5rSthBJHdDdvk-1776120203-O/i-2bJ2Zv8.jpg Feed...Me...Now! This is what a reindeer looks like when she knows that you are trying to hide a bucket of reindeer food from her. It was pretty difficult trying to get photos without her managing to steal all the food away from me! Note: this was on a reindeer farm (Kopara Reindeer Farm near Luosto) rather than a reindeer I came across in the wild. They would very rarely let you get this close! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/hand-feeding-the-dolphins monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-qhcgF5K/0/Ckh9R3DJrKfsfkHrwWb9JN98HrBjdWx9PX4z4gxQq-1776120203-O/i-qhcgF5K.jpg Hand Feeding the Dolphins On our trip to Straddy in early 2010, we were lucky enough to get to Amity Point when dolphins were frolicking just off the end of the pier! It didn't hurt that fishermen were feeding them some of their catches, which kept them very closeby. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/honey-howls-at-the-moon monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-MzXdGgS/0/FVTnDQstZ8xkQ95wDfX2HKPTZmjFvTqxJHSjznwzX-1776120203-O/i-MzXdGgS.jpg Honey Howls at the Moon I'm not entirely sure what Honey, the famous hairy coo that lives at Trossachs Woolen Mill near Stirling, is doing here, so I choose to believe she is howling at the moon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/honey-the-hairy-coo monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-3cnRKVp/0/RfBmFKHdhJgBLfSPjmLNCKcNHXDPkMStjXmzW5mC-1776120203-O/i-3cnRKVp.jpg Honey the Hairy Coo Honey, one of Scotland's most famous Hairy Coos, telling us exactly what she thinks of us trying to coax her out of her stall. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/husky-eyes monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-D2zczXd/0/CZrH8TvT8s4Nh2gpjFst3HTBMKcqNhFTXP9t6vMxF-1776120203-O/i-D2zczXd.jpg Husky Eyes I never truly appreciated what gorgeous animals huskies are -- both inside and out -- until my travels in Lapland. They are so determined to run and so well trained to do so...yet as soon as they're done for the day, they're the most playful, sweet animals in the world. This shot was taken at the husky kennels at Camp Tamok in the Lyngen Alps of Norway. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/i-m-judging-you monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-ZRzr4zD/0/CmTLhst9xZwdSqmBhrRg8c6KfHHDz7CbX9bqDk9CH-1776120203-O/i-ZRzr4zD.jpg I'm Judging You A water dragon trying to figure out what all the fuss is about at Wilson's Outlook! This shot was taken around noon as the place slowly filled with people gathering to watch Riverfire. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/i-m-not-worried-enough-to-stop-eating monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-hxc8RpG/0/GhczvgT2FHqXKx44Zr7VrjmLDB7fCw54PBqh8chV-1776120203-O/i-hxc8RpG.jpg I'm Not Worried Enough to Stop Eating! Location: Pyramid Island, Jasper National Park, Canada This little guy had clearly spotted me but wasn't worried enough to stop eating his meal before skittering off! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/i-stick-my-tongue-out-in-your-general-direction monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-3vFmzCm/0/FTrhn3wCC5NvVLp5dbSK53Q8t9ZCfhVt4x4nKHLfh-1776120203-O/i-3vFmzCm.jpg I Stick My Tongue Out In Your General Direction Not sure what I did to make this reindeer stick her tongue out at me, but stick out her tongue she did! Captured during my wanders around the Kopara Reindeer Park in Luosto, Finland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/i-ve-got-my-eyes-on-you monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-b6Qv2Nv/0/FCJSdRCMSpPxs8rvVSL3kqK9W26tpXznHhMm6pmVJ-1776120203-O/i-b6Qv2Nv.jpg I've Got My Eyes on You After an afternoon of driving around the prairies near Mossleigh searching for snowy owls and coming up empty, we were turning around to head home when this girl caught my eye. I managed to sneak this close to her before she got annoyed at me and took off. What a beautiful animal, and so much bigger than I expected too! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/i-will-bite-your-face-off monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-WQhDvdj/0/DCKVT3SqdZ5fBxm6FTrBNg5DLGKGPt3dBnz9X3cfD-1776120203-O/i-WQhDvdj.jpg I Will Bite Your Face Off Elephant seals argue on the beach at San Simeon, a beach that was chock-a-block full of seals no matter where you looked. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/koala-cuddles monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-mTmgmSN/0/C365S3Kt4GXpGhn2bmsVfHDZVh9pgWKLJC2XsWwPB-1776120203-O/i-mTmgmSN.jpg Koala Cuddles A koala joey clings on to her mother as she naps in the trees at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/majestic monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-SvGwcLK/0/9HfCxkPhxLJMTk7gnDjmHxF4RcpJMXK8swWLGNVQ-1776120203-O/i-SvGwcLK.jpg Majestic An elk doing his best "majestic" look on a hill above Surprise Corner in Banff. It's only slightly undone by the big number on his ear tag! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/making-an-ass-of-himself monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-sv9Bq63/1/7gKXq4b37B24sX8Q4XX9cQnjsXwsw6Fbt7qn4cpZ-1776120203-O/i-sv9Bq63.jpg Making an Ass of Himself I caught this shot while I was feeding donkeys at Deer Park Heights, just outside of Queenstown, NZ. Judging from the amount of food on the ground, these donkeys were not in any danger of starving...but they certainly were trying to make it seem that way! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/my-worst-nightmare monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-mT7tHsZ/0/FMXq66s9zpcJwKB4jQHrpf6pJkgLcbDnM6gdN9Kv2-1776120203-O/i-mT7tHsZ.jpg My Worst Nightmare How terrifying is this?! I had no idea jumping crocs were even a thing until I went to Darwin and saw all the ads for cruises on the Adelaide River (about 1.5hrs drive from Darwin). Essentially, tour boats go out on the Adelaide River, which has around 7,000 crocs living in its 150kms, and hang pork chops on fishing lines to get crocs to jump for them -- and man do they fly for creatures as large as they are! While it was good to see the crocs in a relatively controlled environment -- since I'm terrified of coming across one in the wild -- I'd have to do more research on the effects of these cruises before I went on one again, since it seemed to be very against the usual adage of "don't feed the wild animals." https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/my-zorrito monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-vXTbbc2/0/CcqXkVkcvksS96Tgk46zN7kN4DGWLFmw3g9QLVZCJ-1776120203-O/i-vXTbbc2.jpg My Zorrito My beautiful little Zorro when he was six months old. I posted this as a tribute image when he got hit by a car a few months later; fortunately, he pulled through his punctured lung and is now as loud as ever! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/pretty-kitty monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-x8gdqVT/0/FBRhNr9Vs3pwdGbg7hq3BbtKCg6BsMbcCbh5V5t86-1776120203-O/i-x8gdqVT.jpg Pretty Kitty Wolverine has learned that my camera usually means a big light going off in his eyes, so it was very difficult to get him to look up for this shot! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/psychosis monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-pLwC2XG/0/D9swqvdChvPjGSQdFhKjWcnGmFZDcMxkRgFH7MzNs-1776120203-O/i-pLwC2XG.jpg Psychosis It's great to be home and seeing my family for the first time in 14 months. My cat does not seem to agree. This is the animal that used to cuddle and sleep on my bed. She has always had a bit of psychosis, but it seems to have gotten worse as she's aged. She did this just because I spoke near her. By the way, we named her Angel when we got her as a kitten; she now reminds me much more of Satan. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/relaxation monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-BhzRW7f/0/rQH7bN9fTZ6sgrrjbMFhkQGGf4NXqHDk9vdV3HNH-1776120203-O/i-BhzRW7f.jpg Relaxation Zorro having a lounge on our hard wood floor after a long day of...doing nothing? Chasing his tail? Poking Wolverine while he sleeps? He could have been doing any of these things; the only thing I know is that whatever it was, it clearly wore him out! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/sleeping-beauty monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-rD2CRMk/0/DS7sqqT5CRzbhWmgPDvrSK2x6nfdK2nQDWxZFrWwz-1776120203-O/i-rD2CRMk.jpg Sleeping Beauty Location: Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia One of the mothers in the mothers & babies enclosure at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary curls up for a nap. It's a hard life being a koala. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/snowy-the-pink-antlered-reindeer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-8LGvDvM/0/7qns3mvTGh7JVtX5dV48WRpM58BSJGcBgTwSBMfB-1776120203-O/i-8LGvDvM.jpg Snowy the Pink-Antlered Reindeer At the end of my walk through the Isokuru Gorge area of Pyhä-Luosto National Park, I came across a small herd of reindeer that had found the last snow of the season to lounge on -- apparently the 15ºC that it was outside was just too warm for them! This guy was the only albino reindeer in the group, and I found his pink fuzzy antlers to be very impressive (even if his molting fur was a little less so)! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/starsky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-sqN8fxW/0/DDQ7QfBbSXr6hbwpfkQsq6Mgwz6nc8NH87sDdXFwK-1776120203-O/i-sqN8fxW.jpg Starsky Those eyes! This is Starsky, one of the hardest-working dogs at Hetta Huskies. He's still young, so he's still happy to run until he passes out if you let him! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/summer-what-summer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-wcCNVvK/0/DHbSNdknP2Hr9cP3NNZqkWczPMTbHdD4MMwrWKSSt-1776120203-O/i-wcCNVvK.jpg Summer? What Summer? These reindeer refused to admit that it was summertime, and instead found one of the few patches of snow remaining on Pyhätunturi and settled down on that instead. I don't blame them, since mosquitos don't tend to hang out quite as much on snow as they do in the forest! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/taking-flight monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-kQTHnV5/0/D89nSVVqTMCKH3mBHVKTJKBLFw4TZm2bgtP3sN2Gq-1776120203-O/i-kQTHnV5.jpg Taking Flight Location: Canterbury, New Zealand New Zealand is one of the best places in the world for bird lovers. Until the Europeans arrived, birds had no natural predators and flourished on the islands (and really, who wouldn't in a place as beautiful as this). This guy -- possibly a swamp harrier or a falcon -- was sitting on a fencepost near the road to Mount Sunday (Edoras) and I was lucky enough to catch him as we drove by and he took flight. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/the-argument-jpg monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-BTxqLcN/0/C6G8PBZZJBhGvTpQSNSWQd5vgrqf59hRGMrFh59cv-1776120203-O/i-BTxqLcN.jpg The Argument.jpg https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/the-eagle-has-taken-off monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-Tv3mg6x/0/DRmDHdT77JZQjtwZ65w3svgZ7jmrJnpvvvtTBxhCp-1776120203-O/i-Tv3mg6x.jpg The Eagle Has Taken Off Location: Kuusamo, Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland One of six eagles that we saw on our bear watching trip (sadly, no bears appeared) in the forests of Kuusamo near the Finnish border with Russia. It was crazy seeing five eagles all in the same place, especially with some duking it out for food! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/the-golden-child monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-T7GHSH2/0/CHpTvshxd8X284v7NSZVznkKbC8PkCcnCNvz32Fpv-1776120203-O/i-T7GHSH2.jpg The Golden Child Location: Kopara Reindeer Farm, Luosto, Lapland, Finland I think this may be the best example of a 'golden child' that I've ever seen! This beautiful little fawn was trotting behind her mother at Kopara Reindeer Farm when she turned to quickly check me out. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/the-treacherous-path-to-the-sea monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-hLdjzkg/0/CG4ckCszXG6ZBNzGLvPvLs9z6CLLK6MxW9d3djmxr-1776120203-O/i-hLdjzkg.jpg The Treacherous Path to the Sea What an amazing sight this was. The few of us that were on Mon Repos beach late in the afternoon were treated to the sight of four hatchlings, stragglers from a nest that hatched the night befoe, as they made their first run to the sea. This poor girl in particular got tossed around by the waves, but eventually she made it out to the open sea. Hopefully she'll be returning back to the same beach in 30 years time to lay her own batch of hatchlings! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/the-voice-of-summer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-7NsTJdB/0/FRLssJQ2JmGHg7TpVmTk5655tRM92WKKv6TTPTD8S-1776120203-O/i-7NsTJdB.jpg The Voice of Summer A cicada, whose voice can be heard all over Queensland announcing that it's summer, resting and letting his wings strengthen after he crawled out of his old skin. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/warning-incoming-humpbacks monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/New-South-Wales/i-nnVPtPp/0/FfvQhHZf55VGv9493K9zDQxbj5mXk2gDnZcv8RBVQ-1776120203-O/i-nnVPtPp.jpg Warning! Incoming Humpbacks A humpback whale calf breaches in front of Mt Warning on the New South Wales north coast. This little guy spent about an hour breaching continuously -- what a sight it was to see! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/animals/wolverine-s-first-bath monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-bxvMXV5/0/ChkH8XLTCQbZVZNfBMh9HX62gpTS45kv6sLZgLcd7-1776120203-O/i-bxvMXV5.jpg Wolverine's First Bath This has always been one of my favourite cat photos. Unfortunately, only 2 days after we got our two kittens, Zorro pooed on Wolverine and we had no choice but to bathe them both. The poor kitties didn't know what to make of the bathtub at all -- and fortunately they were so small that they still couldn't climb out. This was as far as Wolverine got. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/flowers/a-study-of-the-gerbera monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-L8V9WsN/0/CQrrQtCzDMsNgGHZBvQpW783f25W8gTVWN3S7ZGmz-1776120202-O/i-L8V9WsN.jpg A Study of the Gerbera I love the patterns you can find in the most everyday things, like a bunch of flowers that you walk past on your way into the shops. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/flowers/starburst monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-KZNfngR/0/FfftVG7mPD7qVJdNVFcQLSrpjxrMZf2VNLjjn4HFn-1776120202-O/i-KZNfngR.jpg Starburst I took this shot in my boyfriend's late grandmother's rose garden in Temora, NSW. This rose was a bit closed up so I had to pull the leaves back to snap this quick macro. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/flowers/the-giants monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-9GjwV3f/2/FcLvQJb7fZHwDzdbVj4Lg8ZgTjVchkL6jXpjfn9sb-1776120202-O/i-9GjwV3f.jpg The Giants In July 2008, I was in a car accident that left me with pretty bad whiplash. I spent 6 weeks off work and was going absolutely mad inside the house after the first few days, so I started going outside and snapping whatever I could. With this one, I literally just stuck my camera under the flowers and snapped...and then couldn't get back up off the sidewalk afterwards! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/flowers/the-other-side monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-h2Kvb3w/0/DmJjRmqFsXxR9nQV54NqdHqs6XXrShmmnXQrQc93G-1776120202-O/i-h2Kvb3w.jpg The Other Side I really enjoy taking pictures of the undersides of flowers, since it gives a bit of a different angle on the normal flower shot. And who would have thought I actually took this photo in a graveyard? It's definitely not what you usually see there! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/flowers/the-sights-of-summer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-gTFkffN/0/CRSq468HsSM8qfrhWQcgBmw6tQM9gnjSzJ7KffsgX-1776120202-O/i-gTFkffN.jpg The Sights of Summer Yet more proof that, although it's Christmas time, it's also the middle of the summer. I shot this in my boyfriend's parents' backyard on one of the many scorching days we had up there! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/flowers/time-for-your-closeup monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-nTRKWpD/0/GrqqssJPDWksDpKdLtGR7HxcJWLVNJ3hcHwS3VSv-1776120202-O/i-nTRKWpD.jpg Time For Your Closeup It's November now in Brisbane, which means the flowers on the jacarandas are scattered across the ground and the frangipani trees are in full bloom. I love this flower, both for its look and its gorgeous smell, and it is one of many things that make me instantly think of summer. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/flowers/up-close-and-personal monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Flowers/i-wd9LfWz/0/DWV2JBhXjqd3c4w6qm2HLJBzD7KsDTPrPGBJ7FSwb-1776120202-O/i-wd9LfWz.jpg Up Close and Personal African daisies are one of my favourite flowers to take photos of (almost as much as shooting frangipanis in the Queensland summer!). They just have so many unique intricacies and so many vibrant colours. This one was shot with my old Panasonic FZ-18 just outside my house in Perth. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/asian-cityscapes weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Asian-Cityscapes/i-9pNS2nq/0/FdWm3TdKWKHdJFqkHjk7rswWxVDjmwrLdHdrQd7FC-1776120308-O/i-9pNS2nq.jpg Standing Tall Above the Helix Marina Bay Sands has always fascinated me. Its cantilever design dominates the Singapore skyline and is complemented by the equally out-of-place -- but equally as fun -- 'Helix' bridge below. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Asian-Cityscapes/i-LN42r7f/0/FWJFMBZz7mw34TwgzhcKjvfJNrdr2NMLZS5LR8nbH-1776120308-O/i-LN42r7f.jpg The View from the Skypark The Marina Bay Sands Skypark and the Singapore skyline. I was just mesmerised by this view and could have taken lots of photos from all different angles -- that is, if I'd been allowed to use my tripod! I saw plenty of people covertly trying to use theirs but there were too many staff in this area so I didn't even try. Instead I set the camera to ISO 4000 and did my best with what I had! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-VVDwvSB/0/CXpb2t5QnGbXNCVT4CGNZsZVwvKJZBMgTZ7mbmxDg-1776120214-O/i-VVDwvSB.jpg Cliffs, Clouds, and Currents A fantastic late summer's afternoon on the spectacular, cliff-lined Glen Mooar beach on the Isle of Man. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-RMnLHL8/0/FNTw2BBMfhdmszz4rvhFzGxRhNLFrHMw96tpPvMWC-1776120214-O/i-RMnLHL8.jpg Breathtaking Bradda Bradda Head, a headland that juts out into the Irish Sea just outside the seaside town of Port Erin on the Isle of Man, is a breathtaking place. I say this not only for its spectacular natural beauty, but because it will also take your breath away if you sprint up the hill trying to get there before the perfect afternoon light disappears behind a storm brewing on the horizon! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-hD6XjH7/0/CTdZPTGNT7kqFqZmjmzvs5mSxmqqkQPdN4PMq79Wt-1776120214-O/i-hD6XjH7.jpg Niarbyl Evening The cliffs of Niarbyl Beach on the Isle of Man being lit up in gold by the sun slowly dipping towards the Irish Sea. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-2pcwwqR/0/FNhh9C8HrWn2mcpnjk9RZXtqNC6PxgBW4sMfpPP5T-1776120214-O/i-2pcwwqR.jpg The Outpost in the Irish Sea The Milner's Tower stands high on Bradda Head, looking like a small outpost jutting out into the wild Irish Sea beyond. Not a bad place to start my photography adventure on the Isle of Man! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-SjLH4xv/0/DH8BBjFDhMC4wtwzVMt8BVvMfjv9gQr87csw9tGgB-1776120214-O/i-SjLH4xv.jpg The Eerie Ancient Forest A surreal morning walking through the ancient Caledonian forest of Rothiemurchus. A thick fog lay over the entire area when I arrived an hour before sunrise, and as I walked through the forest to the nearby loch, the dawn light began to unveil trees ever further in the distance. It was eerie, yet awe-inspiring. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-XhxQ9gm/0/v8dPLLLm6vbjQ7v4gDPrPN6zrstj3r3XgqGs23kh-1776120214-O/i-XhxQ9gm.jpg Sunbeams and Sailboats Crazy clouds, sunbeams lighting up the mountains, sailboats sailing past...what a welcome to the Isle of Mull. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-DrdpRgw/0/C59Q68sG5bNWWx722RM785bhhJ4pZ5kMcbDMLLwcX-1776120214-O/i-DrdpRgw.jpg In Sunshine the Waters Are Sleeping From a perfect morning walking the banks of Loch Lomond. A light fog hung over Ben Lomond on the far side of the lake, and the sun slowly burned through it to light up the lake in golden hues. As a local who stopped for a chat said, "It's beautiful, isn't it? Aren't we lucky?" https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-pxgb8vz/0/CzcXMZQPvR3fP3Kqd8hPkv2KXRnnrMJQ8G9fd86h2-1776120214-O/i-pxgb8vz.jpg Morning on the Loch The sun peeking over the hills and lighting up a new day at Loch Lomond. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-dXHXgxC/0/DGk4KXcdX9VvdMn7rM4C6TfBQZSBZC4FpCrfmtfLr-1776120214-O/i-dXHXgxC.jpg Put it in a Frame It's always luck of the draw when you only have one day to visit a location. Will it be pouring rain? (This is Scotland, so the answer is usually yes). Will it be the best colours you've ever seen in the sky? You never know. Luckily, my morning at Loch Lomond was much closer to the latter, and the calm waters of the lake only added to the amazing scene. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-vWhscMp/0/nqFQD2VfB9QzwsrPBcd5KQPBHgpfJVJjjr6KbLqd-1776120214-O/i-vWhscMp.jpg Moody Morning at the Dark Hedges I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at the Dark Hedges early on the last morning of September. A thick mist hung over the entire Causeway Coast that morning, and as the sun fought its way through the fog, it lit up the road through the Dark Hedges. (These trees were planted along a boulevard by the Stuart Family in the 1800s that have since grown over the road and linked themselves together, and are most famous for their role as the Kingsroad in season 2 of "Game of Thrones.") This is the moodier version -- and as much as I love the colour version, I feel like the sepia tone has a very different and unique feel to it. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-SNP5Rqc/1/bLxbNrhB7qwmsPKd9kq5F2tSZ7rWXdFLsn4g6FW4-1776120214-O/i-SNP5Rqc.jpg Magical Morning at the Dark Hedges Location: Dark Hedges, Antrim, Northern Ireland I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at the Dark Hedges early on the last morning of September. A thick mist hung over the entire Causeway Coast that morning, and as the sun fought its way through the fog, it lit up the road through the Dark Hedges. (These trees were planted along a boulevard by the Stuart Family in the 1800s that have since grown over the road and linked themselves together, and are most famous for their role as the Kingsroad in season 2 of "Game of Thrones.") The result was almost the exact image I had imagined in my head when I planned a photo shoot here. Rarely does a shot work out that perfectly, but this spot lived up to -- and in fact, far surpassed -- all of my expectations. If I hadn't head breakfast waiting for me at my B&B, I would have stayed and soaked in the magical feeling for much longer! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-ppwLx75/0/Rqkcvp4kSFv3cGr29CxttVnkDtXKTcdNn35JwDhF-1776120214-O/i-ppwLx75.jpg Magic on the Kingsroad Location: Dark Hedges, Antrim, Northern Ireland I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at the Dark Hedges early on the last morning of September. A thick mist hung over the entire Causeway Coast that morning, and as the sun fought its way through the fog, it lit up the road through the Dark Hedges. (These trees were planted along a boulevard by the Stuart Family in the 1800s that have since grown over the road and linked themselves together, and are most famous for their role as the Kingsroad in season 2 of "Game of Thrones.") This was the most magical place I visited during my four-month stint in Europe, and since I spent a lot of time in the Nordic countries and the rest of Ireland, that's no mean feat! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-Bb63R8N/0/C8PKnNx3WGXwhz9g9sbWqxpJXfkBnvnHZmz3gVRDH-1776120214-O/i-Bb63R8N.jpg Giant's Causeway in Pink The perfect hexagonal stepping stones of the Giant's Causeway leading down into an ocean glowing pink under a fiery sunset. This UNESCO World Heritage site absolutely lived up to my expectations. It's such a different place from nearly every other seascape I've seen before. The basalt columns form perfect staircases so you can clamber all over the rocks, and even in near darkness, I felt perfectly comfortable hopping from one to the next. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-9Skh5fs/0/Dr24zFZNsRHprG7wJJ46MWdxLc9rcNmnrzLfDdFx5-1776120214-O/i-9Skh5fs.jpg Stunning Slieve League The towering cliffs of Slieve League in County Donegal. When I stayed in Bundoran, I was told that I had to visit this spot, even though it was a bit off my planned route heading towards the Giant's Causeway. It was absolutely worth the detour though. Very few tourists made it to the top of the cliffs, and I thought they were even more impressive than the more famous Cliffs of Moher to the south! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-Xxxqm3d/0/DtzphqNmPMSDRqR9gLKR9HpNWNC3x5DLR5tVWRkF8-1776120214-O/i-Xxxqm3d.jpg Donegal Skies Alight My days on the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland often didn't finish before sunset. On this day, though, my decision not to stop in the Connemara on the way north turned out to be a good one. I arrived in Bundoran with enough time to settle in and then head out to the harbour to witness this stunning sunset, which was easily the best sunset I saw in Ireland (and that's saying a lot, since the sky seemed to be filled with colour every night)! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-SHJWRJN/0/CvLZch9MG43JsNHRhrJt7sbqp8VBQQ5VQrpK9XVnS-1776120214-O/i-SHJWRJN.jpg Clifftop Sunset The sun slowly sets over the famous Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare on Ireland's west coast. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-qnVcnDH/0/FCzGLnS7LTKGm4f2wScf9Hb6jsbVX9mHWDgH5cnzd-1776120214-O/i-qnVcnDH.jpg The Dimpled Hills Just when I thought my day driving the Ring of Kerry was winding down, I came across this view and had to jump out of the car yet again. What a perfect Irish landscape! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-kkrdnRP/0/DkNPRkqPbWqkVBPXFMFC334hNMprFWVpkcmDwp8n6-1776120214-O/i-kkrdnRP.jpg The Golden Skellig Ring The gorgeous, craggy coastline of the Skellig Ring, a short loop off the popular Ring of Kerry road in Ireland's County Kerry. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-QgBnfhk/0/CF5MwPRNWRztMwmZtbJ4gcHXmtcxzxxr3mxmfcW9v-1776120214-O/i-QgBnfhk.jpg The Final Cascade Water cascading through the rocks at the Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park. This waterfall is easily accessible via a short track from the main road, which is at the end of the famous "Ring of Kerry" (at least, if you're driving the loop counterclockwise). https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-qS4mt2f/0/DvcZwGGJxrpsjTjTLzZs3gVCdtfhxv67pwFwpsfn9-1776120214-O/i-qS4mt2f.jpg Standing at the Top of Scotland The cliffs at Duncansby Head, only a few miles away from John O'Groats in Scotland's far northeast, towering over the sea below. They were a great introduction to the sort of landscapes we were saw in Orkney after our short ferry crossing to the islands later that day! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-6W8z4FS/0/CZtqpqK8kJm7VMGJ6FCn7GwtSx7Jwc99MKSFsK2Ct-1776120214-O/i-6W8z4FS.jpg The Everlasting Beauty of Sligachan Dipping your face into the Sligachan River is said, in myth, to give you everlasting beauty. That may or may not be the case -- you'll have to ask the few people on my tour who were game enough to put their head in the ice cold waters -- but the river itself certainly has its own everlasting beauty! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-cpWZmjM/0/CN4dQmLgthC7HTMHxMh8sPF5dqtdQGVt49NdjzwNc-1776120214-O/i-cpWZmjM.jpg The Home of the Fairies The famous Fairy Pools of the Isle of Skye. While going in the morning wasn't the best for light, it was certainly the best time of day to go if you want to beat the crowds. We were some of the first people there and it was great to be able to see it without a rush of people around us. After all, that's how the fairies would have liked it! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-QBP8Kdt/0/CLWDqH8NmpbmWc3xzZZSVgq9dwRbJSF97nXD4LN9K-1776120214-O/i-QBP8Kdt.jpg Sunrise Over the Harbour August sunrises in the Scottish Isles are early, but it's absolutely worth the early start to see this! Portree Harbour was quiet, broken only by the squawking of the occasional seagull and the sound of a boat starting off and motoring out to sea; it was a calm way to start a day of touring around some of the most frequented tourist spots in the Scottish Isles. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-nzfXr4K/0/D33Lf5w5Lpbpmq36fhhnD5FWcVBZVfWVnGQG5BKfw-1776120214-O/i-nzfXr4K.jpg The Butt of Lewis A couple stands on the cliffs at the Butt of Lewis -- the tip of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides -- looking out into the wild Atlantic Ocean beyond. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-t5LZC2N/0/W67rfhmtH7f254TnXxj3mhtfCsmcMBnSVQxFSC9d-1776120214-O/i-t5LZC2N.jpg Perfection on Dalmore Beach Go ahead, guess where in the world you might find this beach. ...I bet you didn't guess Scotland's Outer Hebrides, did you? Well, that's where we found it -- on the Isle of Lewis. It's called Dalmore Beach and is absolute perfection. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-WNxMwTq/0/DgNCHFkfjF9vZdTZS7MCP9LXgVgHwngZG5JX4sW45-1776120214-O/i-WNxMwTq.jpg Clouds Over Callanish Puffy clouds float over the standing stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis, giving it more of an otherwordly feel than it already had, especially given the people walking around the site chanting in unknown languages. A very interesting place to spend the morning :) https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-9qjhdRP/1/FCXqRhxGcDVWRrC55W97Nv6ZrppJqZFthq9LKCMmj-1776120215-O/i-9qjhdRP.jpg This Is Earl's Court After going out for a day in London, I arrived back at Earl's Court Station just after dusk. It seemed like a perfect time to get some shots of the Tube -- the only problem being I didn't have a tripod! Good thing there were a few chairs I could balance my camera on. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-NfSTGPp/0/KPx967PRZ3KcLz8CVnxWsfZqCnrcLCsWd5QQrLTF-1776120215-O/i-NfSTGPp.jpg A Dark and Stormy Night Last year, my mom and I spent a day in London taking in the sights. She was even nice enough to shiver on the Westminster Bridge as I took this photo on a cold, stormy January night. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-rPQcbmJ/0/D5NztG2nnfSVNCNr7NWzRvXrnQtvNSr8bCZ2dNLmN-1776120215-O/i-rPQcbmJ.jpg Westminster by Night The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben lighting up the Thames on a stormy night in January. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-SJ76Jvr/0/MjmTwGHtgmbFpFTMCGqrqmWRThsbjXXM6wrBZJp4-1776120215-O/i-SJ76Jvr.jpg The First Sunrise of the New Year It would have been a shame to miss the first sunrise of the new year, especially because the sun doesn’t come up until around 8.30am in this part of England! I was lucky because the sun eventually broke out of the clouds on the horizon just as I was nearing the pier, which resulted in one of the best views I’ve ever seen of the Cleethorpes front! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-Rj3Gf4d/0/NNtXwpFR89M6r9mCrXZdm4vRPpQvs7wCqQJHfmJ3-1776120215-O/i-Rj3Gf4d.jpg St Andrews Cathedral Part of the majestic ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, once the largest cathedral in Britain and now a large ruin that takes up a good portion of the eastern side of St Andrews. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-ZBsPTJ8/0/FGxLGKc55GrRjWFvJqfvnJz26LtZpBsM6vRXwD7X4-1776120215-O/i-ZBsPTJ8.jpg Ruins of the Past On our trip to Scotland, James and I passed through St. Andrews. Since we played a game of golf for him, I got to visit the castle and cathedral. Unfortunately, I couldn't go down the mine/countermine (whose entrance is just below the keep in this shot) because I couldn't walk very well from knee surgery...but that meant I got a bit more time to take photos! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-WHfjrCB/0/RRCsSKhXdZNsjF8gk5HhMc2J7c5c6QhdtFWjx2bN-1776120215-O/i-WHfjrCB.jpg Scotland in May We woke up to rain on our morning in Stonehaven, but by the time we were leaving Dunnottar Castle, it looked like this! I thought this was a beautiful representation of Scotland in May -- decent weather and lots of gorse! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-NprsFgr/0/GdnVpDGLTnPTXTt9dKGwzkjLB4GpBX4vHBwZQ5QD-1776120215-O/i-NprsFgr.jpg The House at the End of the World What a windy place this spot would be to live! This house is part of the Point Bonita Lighthouse at the entrance of San Francisco Bay. Apparently it was the last manned lighthouse on the California coast -- and boy would it have been cold, given the wind that was whistling through there on a beautiful day in April! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-DBLWV5h/0/DjRQmQNFzt2B7qVBSJDfhhBTcgDVmrvvR83SrVX84-1776120215-O/i-DBLWV5h.jpg The Lights of the Bay San Francisco as it began to light up for the night. The city lights lit up the lingering clouds much better than the sunset ever could! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-rxtVtkT/0/KjccNSjcKF26PX8r6TJsQMjMqvjJTRf4qzcPzrZG-1776120215-O/i-rxtVtkT.jpg Golden Gate Sunset Since we were staying on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge, it was a quick drive up to Battery Spencer so we could watch the sunset. As we rushed up from the parking lot, the sky turned pink and orange over the Marin Headlands behind us and lit up the entire sky -- even creating a rainbow over Alcatraz, which is just to the left of this photo. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-bfxkWkv/0/Ct2hKnzwXVLVVhCsv2RcRVNrtq9XNKfrTKFTBCrnX-1776120215-O/i-bfxkWkv.jpg Sunset Fireworks Over Marin The clouds explode into colour over the Marin Headlands, taken from the Golden Gate Bridge lookout at Battery Spencer. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-GRcQZ6d/0/6cMqJzJ3W2DfKKCF3nBBpSvCgh3tsb3XtpqJDDhS-1776120215-O/i-GRcQZ6d.jpg The Tide Rolls In At Point Lobos Waves crashing onto the rocks and creating awesome patterns in the rock pool below. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-Hp7bqXW/0/MFBZmwBwt8WmK7GRCjKn6tWQW8nzbb2hQ7dCFfq4-1776120215-O/i-Hp7bqXW.jpg Julia Pfeiffer Burns' View On the McWay waterfall track in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, you get an amazing view of McWay Falls plummeting over the cliffs and onto the beach below. I found it very hard to tear myself away from that view, but I had to so I could move further up the track and watch the sunset over the ocean. What a perfect way to end the day. I'm a bit jealous of Julia Pfeiffer Burns, who used to live in this area and got to see this view whenever she wanted! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-VdSww8n/0/DNLmR6CSrDzBgRnHjHCvBTfT49LCTps3nCGgztwDZ-1776120215-O/i-VdSww8n.jpg Pacific Coast Sunset I don't know if there are many things more relaxing than watching the sun slowly dip down into the ocean along a gorgeous stretch of coast like this one. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-cG3KnLC/0/C6BJtPZf2mKspCcWPvPcFfnbpZrqXtJ9vhhHw6pGL-1776120215-O/i-cG3KnLC.jpg Golden McWay Golden light illuminates McWay Cove and McWay Falls just before the sun dipped below the horizon. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-kmJnfKM/0/CQ4SX3NWsn2QNB87PnjtDPLCSc8kXbF6kKtmCn6hV-1776120215-O/i-kmJnfKM.jpg Big Sur Dreamin' McWay Falls was one of those places I knew I had to stop at on my road trip through Big Sur. On a day of stunning scenery, seeing the waterfall in the golden light of late afternoon was an absolute standout. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-PM3stT6/0/8PkLVsNtsKVm64R3jc6s6xQstgSJ38xv47VqWPn6-1776120215-O/i-PM3stT6.jpg The Deserted Beach One of many deserted beaches along the coast of Big Sur -- the difference here being you could actually get to this beach (if you owned the private property it was a part of). This was one of many equally spectacular views along the jaw-dropping Pacific Coast Highway in Big Sur. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-K5LcD7Q/0/w3DdSwLH4TfKwq6BshdGj8BXg6dHL7jTZL6bQcjn-1776120215-O/i-K5LcD7Q.jpg The Big Bridge Over Big Creek When people talk about Big Sur, they always mention the Bixby Bridge. I hadn't heard of this one -- the Big Creek Bridge -- though, and I thought it was in just as gorgeous a setting as the Bixby Bridge further north! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-6gzdPvT/0/FZcZdkQs96nkpv46CPCGtMCnBKQrbGGk5WzL593zs-1776120215-O/i-6gzdPvT.jpg Dusk on the Jagged West Coast One of my goals on my California road trip was to watch the sun set over the ocean each day, since that's something that you can't see on the east coast of Australia. So far, I'm 2 for 2 -- last night we watched it set at Huntington Beach, and tonight we watched it set the ocean alight just to the left of the mountains in this shot. It was gorgeous, but surprisingly cold -- especially with the strong winds that seemed intent on pushing us around the beach! Luckily my brother didn't get too frustrated with me and stuck around (while freezing) so I could grab this shot just after sunset. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-t6HXz9c/0/C4KQBzL3tNjkJXjzdv4kWpP4bLGtdVHtzFgV6C3HQ-1776120215-O/i-t6HXz9c.jpg Sunset on the Windy West Coast Foamy waves roll in to Pismo Beach on a wonderful -- but very windy -- spring evening. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-3FRvKjR/0/Dk3QqpCwNmR6g6sbskXJ7QPtGsrrDXXm7CCrRFvfH-1776120215-O/i-3FRvKjR.jpg The Not-So-Dark Underbelly of Huntington Beach Pier Huntington Beach was certainly a busy place, even on the Tuesday morning we spent there. Beach volleyballers jumped around in the sand nearby as surfers clad in wetsuits braved the waves on both sides of the pier. I liked standing underneath the pier though, watching the waves crashing towards me as the noise of the world around me died away. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-DmdtbFw/0/CTC52WqprsjGD6CxVgF6VNgV4BHcPPLQqPSvKcCJk-1776120215-O/i-DmdtbFw.jpg Footprints by the Sea Footprints in the sand at Huntington Beach narrowly avoiding being washed away by the incoming tide at sunset. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-fvtLtDr/0/37BMWrqcsSK82xLHx8qPRgqgCjsGtF5QfZCVRCvh-1776120215-O/i-fvtLtDr.jpg The Scraggly Tree A scraggly tree stands in Mount San Jacinto State Park, high above the California desert and Palm Springs. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-XjWgc5z/0/CNnswbzb4Lz7BXQLZ5P8RxppGtmDgqcJjhN3ZGSwZ-1776120215-O/i-XjWgc5z.jpg Stormy Coachella Sunset.jpg https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-fqxMdTF/0/DQrm3zsjNkWRmJBCBrx7xzpNRgwhqC2zGxh7Fdftc-1776120215-O/i-fqxMdTF.jpg Shippin' Up to San Fran I just got my first roll of black & white film developed and I was happily surprised when there were 4 decent photos on it! I took this one on my day out with my mom & some family friends during my recent trip to San Francisco. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-n7JXp36/0/C7QrVBdFTZhK7vhV7j6LmLP76pNzqTJdJdx39Rxmr-1776120215-O/i-n7JXp36.jpg A Not Too Foggy Night After a day of shooting around San Francisco and the Marin Headlands, we were disappointed to find that the customary Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint was completely fogged over -- but luckily the fog didn't reach as far as the Bay Bridge! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-gNhzdHt/0/CGKdszvHCkBrPbrvcfN4VkmkC7fS4mkCm8ZFfdNFT-1776120215-O/i-gNhzdHt.jpg Fogged Out at Rodeo Beach We were supposed to get a stunning view of sunset from Rodeo Beach on San Francisco's Marin Headlands...but instead, we got pea soup fog. It still made for an interesting sight though! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-STVh9MD/1/CfvGf89ZkGbhSt2FDJtzfnCWwD3dkjvMGKvx4XF5X-1776120215-O/i-STVh9MD.jpg Admiration Visitors at San Francisco's Fort Point look up in admiration as fog rolls in to San Francisco Bay and across the Golden Gate Bridge. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-Lw5Mp7T/0/FZHXXm46RmfSnzMJHtvcsgPz8wsFdcFs2w6vhVkgc-1776120215-O/i-Lw5Mp7T.jpg Lighting Up a Foggy Night The Bay Bridge in San Francisco on a foggy September night. While other icons in the area were totally obscured by this fog, it was bright enough to shine through. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-CGc2SXc/0/cSpJ2zGFfWDrr5MV8xLmttPnVcbM59FprGsj4zZ4-1776120215-O/i-CGc2SXc.jpg A Beacon in the Fog It was no surprise that my first photo shoot in San Francisco featured a lot of fog; after all, that's what the city is known for. What was interesting, though, was the way the fog dramatically changed this scene, shot from the Embarcadero, between nights: on this night, the view was much better in black & white, which emphasized the almost film noir feeling, while the next night was still foggy but much more suited to brilliant, poppy colours, as seen in "A Not Too Foggy Night." https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-nGzKjQL/1/CGSN3MZ4w74nGxHjkT5RQjRMQb2FZBCXW4z8HsCV9-1776120215-O/i-nGzKjQL.jpg Lombard Light Trails This was definitely a trying night for photography, since the fog did its best to cover various landmarks and generally caused annoyance by covering our lenses in water droplets every two minutes...but we still all had a blast. I got this shot while hiding in the bushes on Lombard Street (I wasn't game enough to stand on the narrow street with cars passing by me). The light trails are actually from two cars following each other closely -- hence the many distinct streaks going around the corner. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-PRGWJMt/0/CWHXjfSJksHqvDdBcvJmb653BVTvct8WZdTC8N82D-1776120215-O/i-PRGWJMt.jpg The Walls of Dubrovnik Walking the walls of Dubrovnik is one of the most touristy things you can do in the city, but for me, it was also one of the most enjoyable. Not only did I spend half of my walk on a Game of Thrones tour learning about how the city had been used as the backdrop for King's Landing, but I also got to see stunning views of the city's red roofs and of the Adriatic Sea beyond. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-Mntd5XS/0/7Z2smkSnCLW4VJqXB5ptTLfVRp8JkMX8FQH5Zxks-1776120215-O/i-Mntd5XS.jpg Strolling Up Stradun Some of the many visitors that pour into the Old Town of Dubrovnik each day strolling up the limestone-paved main street, Stradun. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-jbBwwQc/0/2dH3Rnhf8sc2WsMXWgKTgf3b2KnT6z3VMcdQfJ3Z-1776120215-O/i-jbBwwQc.jpg Peeking Out on the Adriatic Looking out one of the windows of a tower on Dubrovnik's city walls. It was a beautiful -- but stinking hot -- day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-Dfj35nN/0/CRjDm2QKnPQ5SntdzxnLqWCJQm6Zcq926qrHNNtRZ-1776120215-O/i-Dfj35nN.jpg Busy Dubrovnik From Above The busy harbour of Dubrovnik, complete with large cruise ship, as seen from above the red roofs of the city on the city walls walk. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-qhgGmgS/0/Cg9pnqGHnfr2JHvgdNHdHjbpZZ2bgWB2fxB8pqrQJ-1776120215-O/i-qhgGmgS.jpg The Jewel of the Adriatic What an amazing town. I walked the walls of Dubrovnik and stood on the shores of the Adriatic, but I still think this view, seen from Fort Lovrijenac, was my favourite one of Dubrovnik. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-FBQpp36/0/ndB8LbBPQNqvgCC32bfTPCDfd46Njj9jFrRZzGFt-1776120215-O/i-FBQpp36.jpg Sunset on an Adventure The last sunset of our week-long cruise along the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. Fitting that it was a colourful one to remember! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-5n8KqdH/0/D3W36FXsSC56LjXH682dH3w4JTgLP85zr8BxCkNPX-1776120215-O/i-5n8KqdH.jpg Red Roofs, Blue Water The colours of Croatia: red roofs and the crystal clear blue water of the Adriatic Sea. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-JshBLMj/0/CVsZW284JXkxW4TwcbDdJXV7rbgrpv44khzCtPZFS-1776120215-O/i-JshBLMj.jpg Love Lock Walk Love locks line the walkway along the Adriatic at Sveti Petar in Makarska on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-DB5t7f6/0/FSFF4DKLSdq9qMsWG5kvdrnv4sPDZzXNxRQgqbFmq-1776120215-O/i-DB5t7f6.jpg Parasailing Over Paradise A lone parasailor floats high above the Adriatic Sea near Makarska. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-xTp4MNn/0/DTG2ZRFxgjHtkpVKvXjS7vnKq4mTj3VHRmjkXHjzW-1776120215-O/i-xTp4MNn.jpg Cruising Up to Makarska A gorgeous morning on the Dalmatian coast as we make our way north to Makarska. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-z4JmCnm/0/CQFhHvzcP2vsTNpkDZkV3P3GtwGdWpkhWSzGv2C3Z-1776120215-O/i-z4JmCnm.jpg Fun in the Bay After kayaking from the main island of Korcula to this smaller one in the harbour, it was definitely time for a dip in the crisp, clear waters of the Adriatic. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-Q377FLM/0/DMgMMT6wGgmdnNj78f5Hb6nKLF7J6nBk7Frhnw5Sn-1776120215-O/i-Q377FLM.jpg Marco Polo's Town The red roofs of Korcula on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. This town is said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-rTj3W4q/0/bmzkfQjsmRRHqXkRW2w6DgfQRhrQ7cwdGN8jR4Qx-1776120215-O/i-rTj3W4q.jpg Streaky Summer Skies Wispy cirrus clouds high in the sky above Korcula, on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-knfG752/0/FSwsV76zVwf9fxbB4XkcgGLxtXLMTvtGRcLj2SJQ9-1776120215-O/i-knfG752.jpg The Emerald Dock Sail Croatia boats all lined up at dock in the emerald waters of Trstenik. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-NqGL5Zh/0/3MVN5TWbWszmpJVnmdc58D8fJ8rsW7hX3PV4mdbM-1776120215-O/i-NqGL5Zh.jpg Trstenik Reflections The gorgeous view that greeted us as our Sail Croatia boat sailed into harbour at the tiny town of Trstenik. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-hTpTdSH/0/Dzg8cjgRSTmpFsskbTSjt5ntNV7WRT2rDrqBK8nDP-1776120214-O/i-hTpTdSH.jpg You'll Find Me Under the Bridge Sometimes I feel like the town I live in is too small -- after all, it has 1.1 million less people in it than the next smallest city I've lived in. But on nights with big solar storms like the one on 19 Jan, it's great to know that I can drive for 5 minutes and be in a place dark enough (and with an interesting enough foreground!) to get photos like this one. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-6fFtZQv/0/DpSwzqHqVN3m4PwMB3T7n6Rrq8PhHZhTgntxxwGfC-1776120214-O/i-6fFtZQv.jpg Frozen in Place It didn't take long during the cold snap that enveloped much of Europe last week for Vejle's fjord to freeze. These rocks along the shoreline broke the waves just enough that the ice around them had a splintered, shattered look that gave way to a much more glazed look the further from shore it got. It was quite an uncommon, and beautiful, scene. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-5xqJGpm/0/KT3vXxHXhLBsTWspc88FKspncgPfr7jGKBccZK8Q-1776120214-O/i-5xqJGpm.jpg An Autumn Walk in the Woods Autumn in Denmark tends to be rainy and gray, which makes the colours seem that much more brilliant on the sunny days. And these colours were brilliant indeed. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-5PxPpBn/0/DTLwS5wxVbvwJrm8JhL4cH7bJcGPD9R6kb8NJJsGJ-1776120214-O/i-5PxPpBn.jpg Golden Glow The gorgeous golden trees of Danish autumn, their colours popping in the sunlight on a rare non-rainy day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-p4nwNqQ/0/FCvNMT5wpLLsxz33ZWDxk6wjnJVJCJ3JXBgpjG7Nw-1776120214-O/i-p4nwNqQ.jpg Autumn Illusion On first glance, this looks like a tree full of autumn colour. And it was...but its branches were high overhead, well above the top of this photo. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-2rPDSWw/0/DSJgFdXD9xxcF4W24jZmkcBshJ9wkxKwmpjpL3PVX-1776120214-O/i-2rPDSWw.jpg Vivid Vejlefjord The solar storm of October 10, 2024, was a sight to behold across the world. Here in Denmark, the entire sky lit up in greens, pinks, and reds that danced the night away long after we should have all been asleep on a work night. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-qNKJM8V/0/CpK82PWRx8qJ6HcPZQVx3sGH6r6tf3kpFZ9hvJGNq-1776120214-O/i-qNKJM8V.jpg Seeing Red One year ago, the solar storm of October 10, 2024 caused spectacular auroras around the world. Here in southern Denmark, we clearly saw pinks and greens dancing over the fjord. The most impressive part of the show, though, was the brilliant red -- a colour I had never seen in the aurora before. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-nZGCvnR/0/DxvP3TkwW245FCxz7DDHpHkZpwRwjqrtpc4JCXkgG-1776120214-O/i-nZGCvnR.jpg Green and Gold Golden hour lighting up the algae-covered rocks along Vejlefjord on a brisk but beautiful March afternoon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-7NCXxD5/0/DTr44ZGrnxmR2p6T77xQpdSnhk22gwnxNkPnGsKFf-1776120309-O/i-7NCXxD5.jpg Sparkling at Sunset Even though I'd seen the Eiffel Tower's light show the night before, I headed back to the Tower at sunset. I'm so glad I did, because watching all of the lights in the Tower slowly turn on was one of the most awe-inspiring sights I saw in Paris...followed closely by the light show that happened about 10 minutes afterwards! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-bp63Gms/0/jxX3fBQ95NL59jmB7WpdjGrXcxQtmKW2w2JfQdxf-1776120309-O/i-bp63Gms.jpg The Sideways Path to the Place de la Concorde It's hard to find a bad angle from which to photograph Paris, and some of my crooked photos of the city, like this one of the Rue de Rivoli, are my favourites. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-fLJGSFX/0/VqksQ64GfCJrFP835HBWkjKg97tXQgGMt4n6gXMX-1776120309-O/i-fLJGSFX.jpg Storms Descending on the Louvre As the myriad tourists posed with the Louvre's pyramids, a storm slowly moved in over Paris. We were drenched about 10 minutes later! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-VtDHFH8/1/mzwNcbNpMNShk9rZDLrPWfJx5KgdVRfC6nVGbmMZ-1776120309-O/i-VtDHFH8.jpg Late Spring in Amsterdam I loved strolling along the tree-lined canals of Amsterdam. What a stunning place to spend a late spring day! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-VX3TcGq/1/jgctc32RbKWk2Rj4F49mf7TTz6N87BvHcCPz6f7M-1776120309-O/i-VX3TcGq.jpg Colourful Costa Brava It was this view that truly made me realise that I was in Spain. Such a colourful place! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-2SW9btH/0/CdHdHnVDW3cr7Xxnz2J7GCTnj7SB7vWt3NnCGBrWR-1776120309-O/i-2SW9btH.jpg Evening in Prague Dusk falls on the Malá Strana area of Prague, as seen from the top of the tower on the western end of the Charles Bridge. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-Dcf3R8F/0/MkGwtsMK57KzbHjqLCc39HSCSgGrbDxCcXNz3qPP-1776120309-O/i-Dcf3R8F.jpg Golden Hour on the Trocadéro Much of my time in Paris was spent at Roland Garros, but I made a concerted effort to see some of the sights of Paris on my way to and from the tournament. On this evening, I stopped at the Trocadero and strolled towards the Eiffel Tower as the sun set on a glorious spring day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-vg3NbGS/0/Dh7HGc9pkfLpcwJXDhBM654HVHzjFdQ2tVSmfn528-1776120309-O/i-vg3NbGS.jpg Midnight on the River Inn The medieval city of Rattenberg lighting up the banks of the River Inn, late in the evening on a winter's night in the Alps. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-G2Bgwnt/0/FPHhWXP8q8TCRG8X7tD64VdJqMw8jr6SSNc4w4Qh4-1776120216-O/i-G2Bgwnt.jpg Crossing the Border and the Sami Bridge The Norwegian-Finnish border, marked by metal signs bearing the seal of each country, found mid-way across the Sami Bridge in Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-3mtZSLM/0/DBr2q7Hd2TzBtTCHpZDDkZgXsDbTpVtqmTr68wnZ2-1776120216-O/i-3mtZSLM.jpg Salmon Fishing Weather Actually, I'm not sure that most fishermen would consider this good weather for fishing. But when I'm fishing (or a passenger in a fishing boat, as I was here), I like it when it's clear with views like this all around! Taken on the Teno River around 10pm on a beautiful summer evening in Utsjoki. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-5FpFjfn/0/CBGKG7NGHPcPTPKDvT8hCKQ9vp9HPwpGwG8JTW6Vz-1776120216-O/i-5FpFjfn.jpg The Most Beautiful Road in Finland The calm and perfectly reflective Teno River -- at least, until you get closer and realise just how quickly its currents are running. I captured this scene during golden hour as we drove from Nuvvus Ailigas back to Utsjoki along what is known as "the most beautiful road in Finland." https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-NTzLw3P/0/DDFJsRshxxJb2ckTWsL42J66tXFdV3q2skV7fr3rL-1776120216-O/i-NTzLw3P.jpg The Mighty Teno The Tenojoki (Teno River, or Tana River if you're on the Norwegian side) winds its way between Finland (on the left) and Norway (on the right). Seen from the top of Nuvvus Ailigas, one of three fells named "Ailigas" that watch over the Utsjoki region. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-93mFbgC/0/Ctj8ch3QHZfGXS5DzNQPXFS4VNpRzTVg9zbRzSNcX-1776120216-O/i-93mFbgC.jpg Jäniskoski in July The rapids of Jäniskoski on the Juutua River near Inari in early July. Quite the difference from how I first saw it in mid-March! This image and many more will be featured in my upcoming "Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer." If you'd like to learn more, head over to http://www.lapland.travel. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-fDnmL3L/0/Pdtdk34hhVBk8bSWrqbjWMRDmLrzwzDHzhFz68SG-1776120216-O/i-fDnmL3L.jpg Reflections of Watercolour Clouds Two nights at Menesjärvi, two nights of clouds like these. I would have been happy staying for many more nights! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-49Thwqq/0/nNspZn4ktSkTfHJSB9R7H5MvtqHLXbG8vm9XK59K-1776120216-O/i-49Thwqq.jpg Menesjärvi at Midnight The midnight sun sitting well above the horizon at Lake Menesjärvi, near Lemmenjoki National Park in Finnish Lapland. I had two nights here and both nights had amazing clouds and midnight sun. I couldn't have asked for more! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-d5Q6WBn/0/CPmrWhWCvwdRcBkpFxx6GJT79dcBfGMTvNHfGSXzk-1776120216-O/i-d5Q6WBn.jpg A Cabin in the Sun For me, it's hard to think of summer in Finnish Lapland without thinking of Lake Menesjärvi. I hold my memories of my time there dearly; not only was the weather absolutely perfect, but the lake was one of the best places I found for watching the midnight sun traverse the sky in what should have been the dead of night. Can you believe I took this photo only minutes before midnight? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-WdhqRxJ/0/C9C4WxsFPDgSgx75FBT5tcrDbcsXxLvsz3vK6xbCD-1776120216-O/i-WdhqRxJ.jpg The Birch-Framed Jetty Recently, I wrote on my blog (at http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/menesjarvi-blissful-lapland-at-its-best/) about how Menesjärvi was the perfect spot to kick back and relax on a summer holiday. I mean, how could it not be when it featured scenes like this at 11pm? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-dB9RxmL/0/C5VMcBhrSrhFGM3F9NPmG2gzzFmtZXLXMw6b5h76d-1776120216-O/i-dB9RxmL.jpg Roaring Ravadas Falls Standing just above Ravadas Falls in Lemmenjoki National Park, the largest national park in Finland. This waterfall was stunning from all angles, and in the hour I had before the boat came back for the return trip down the Lemmenjoki River, I had to rush around like mad to get as many different compositions as I could! I also used my new Lee Filters Big Stopper for this shot, and I'm pretty happy with the results. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Z2Fbkjt/0/dtVNNpq6RqFwtQRdFL4rqvwR9rNffNLHhzLJ9hLV-1776120216-O/i-Z2Fbkjt.jpg Summer Rush at Lemmenjoki Ravadas Falls crashes downhill in its rush to get to the Lemmenjoki River beyond. This is an easy day trip, despite the fact that it's located 19km into Lemmenjoki National Park; boats run twice daily so you can either go and walk around the falls for an hour or have a full day to hike 15-20km through some of the best scenery the park has to offer. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-7zvjjKJ/0/DwvVZPkM4DGkBNN4bQzLdKdpcng9ZkMz7q66LWFP6-1776120216-O/i-7zvjjKJ.jpg Rocky Ravadas The rocky stream leading out of Ravadas Falls, one of the most popular attractions in Lemmenjoki National Park, Finland's largest national park. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-m6mMtCX/0/C6mxrdj5vmbbhNvssNG68svS73JvgsgBzGcTfChwv-1776120216-O/i-m6mMtCX.jpg Cruising the Lemmenjoki A group of hikers heads into Lemmenjoki National Park for a day of walking. The boat cruise helps cut off around 19km of walking so visitors can see the best parts of the park (such as Ravadas Falls) in a day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-J8cCd2G/0/DGwN98F2Cb6nxqD7W9sB8B3QX3pR9tPQLkD7DWG6J-1776120216-O/i-J8cCd2G.jpg A Seat in the Clouds Location: Lake Menesjärvi, Lapland, Finland How gorgeous is this? I was lucky enough to get perfect weather for two nights running during my stay on the shores of Lake Menesjärvi, and it could not have been more beautiful. The midnight sun -- to the right of this frame -- made the clouds light up in different colours for hours on end and the lake was so still that it looked like this jetty was just floating in the sky. This image and many more will be featured in my upcoming "Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer." If you'd like to learn more, head over to www.lapland.travel. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-dWPnzqG/0/DFLQzgJRSHskDRcwhDvF4KDtcN3kfmRkNcnZqhP7Z-1776120216-O/i-dWPnzqG.jpg Tree on the Edge of Paradise This night, spent on the shores of Lake Menesjärvi at Hotel Korpikartano, probably had the best clouds of my entire time in Lapland. I was lucky that they appeared on a perfectly still night in such an amazing setting! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-4bHwLCd/0/Dz9KG5gTrrw7gVNqgGmvzpzdfbNjxhd6VQsFKR94K-1776120216-O/i-4bHwLCd.jpg The Jetty in the Clouds The jetty at Hotel Korpikartano jutting out in between the clouds and the equally as clear clouds reflected on Lake Menesjärvi. Such a great spot. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Mz62Srv/0/CsVbhKN7tsCHhtsjP2LL6tSTM5K2PrZWTmNH5tTkL-1776120216-O/i-Mz62Srv.jpg Menesjärvi's Crazy Clouds Insane clouds with an equally insane reflection, seen on a perfectly still night on Lake Menesjärvi, near Lemmenjoki National Park. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-RVpvCTn/0/FVVTwdhSc2Vf55zTw9tcbJP7jR8tdD45ZWtzSWWTm-1776120216-O/i-RVpvCTn.jpg Is This The Real Life? Is This Just Fantasy? It was hard to believe just how awesome the clouds looked with the (almost) midnight sun behind them over Lake Menesjärvi in Finnish Lapland. Unreal. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-sqVtnc4/0/kRrWwVfwm7TFB2k9jT4NQthVPNMdDX3XzbJkS6pC-1776120216-O/i-sqVtnc4.jpg Idyllic Finland A perfect sky, a lake with a tree-lined shore, and a red cottage. That says Finland to me. All it needs to complete the perfect Finnish scene is a sauna! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-CCz2pLF/0/KJcXcBJm23PGLd3KgBnRmDsBLxgqWXCM24cGr9Tv-1776120216-O/i-CCz2pLF.jpg Hailing Pielpajärvi The gorgeous old Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church, located about a 4.5km hike away from the town of Inari. This church used to be in the centre of the main settlement in Inari. Now, the only part of that settlement that is left is the Wilderness Church, which has fortunately been kept in great condition. And why do I say "hailing"? Well, that menacing cloud arrived very shortly after I took this photo, and before I knew what was happening, hail was bouncing off the ground all around me! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-p3fzd9W/0/snX4M6cDd7HBL4Q3SgF3w9FSHPcrQwvzVdcsGFzp-1776120216-O/i-p3fzd9W.jpg Looking Out from Kaunispää The lookout at Kaunispää hill, just outside the town of Saariselkä and at the top of one of their many ski runs. It was a lot quieter here than in winter, when snowmobiles were constantly whipping by on the track below! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-BZZBrQm/0/FbCk6r2ZNXLqzWWMXg2wkTSbKCj3rkbxkLxn7VnmH-1776120216-O/i-BZZBrQm.jpg The Church of the Forest I'm not a church-going person, but I couldn't resist this scene of amazing clouds over a wooden church reflecting the forest. Like all buildings in Lapland, the church in Saariselkä is a wooden building without many of the ornate trappings of other churches around the world, but I think that makes it even better, since it shows how in touch with nature the people of Lapland are. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-V9SFnh6/0/8zMrHjZL5FsDw2BLmvjCbgDGdTdSwsXjJJvpF38h-1776120216-O/i-V9SFnh6.jpg The "Refreshing" Waters of Kiilopää Outside the smoke sauna at Fell Centre Kiilopää, one of the gateways to northern Finland's Urho Kekkonen National Park, trickles this gorgeous stream. You may not think it so pretty when you're trying to jump into it though! I jumped in after a long sit in the sauna and its 7ºC waters actually hurt. I can't imagine what it would be like in winter -- although the Finns assured me that it's "even better" then! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-CbgKL9w/0/ChGZXL4f3rSWbSzrNSBzpcpCd2nP5kzFLVwVR6Wx-1776120216-O/i-CbgKL9w.jpg The Ylläs Scenic Route Even under threatening skies, the Ylläs Scenic Route lived up to its name, giving tree-framed views of the fells in the distance. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-wZPVdG3/0/Cgtjj4sjK3xCMWVrpqbNxJJt7c4pQDKzRnk4bKvk8-1776120216-O/i-wZPVdG3.jpg A Little Spring at 67ºN A gorgeous little spring babbling through the forest just in front of the lodge where I stayed in Äkäslompolo (Lodge 67ºN). https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vRPFpfp/2/FMbCCfkzrRtWmhWTd2nmLvKJjW6k7JkgQKJr4m64H-1776120216-O/i-vRPFpfp.jpg The Slopes of Kesänkitunturi The trees weren't bothered by the steep angle of Kesänkitunturi's slopes, although they were perhaps more sensible than I was, since they stayed out of "Pirunkuru" -- which in English, means "damn canyon"! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-mMPzpnR/0/CBX62ZBvbXfZmFtrgPsCJpS6mpmj9bVHtSbMfFzWz-1776120216-O/i-mMPzpnR.jpg The Heart of Ylläs Who knew the fells of Ylläs formed a heart shape when combined with the steep slope of ? I found that out when climbing up Pirunkuru, whose name fittingly translates to 'the damn canyon,' on my trek up Kesänkitunturi. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Db4m7c4/0/DCPKBtwSwBmQQMMC4wbLLzRq3M8CVqJCDpWL8s7x5-1776120216-O/i-Db4m7c4.jpg Finland in a Nutshell To me, this photo is Finland. Sure, in winter there would be a bit more snow on the trees, but regardless of the season, and regardless of where you are in Finland, there are always tall trees all around you, and there is always gorgeous light. Here, it's the light of the midnight sun, captured around 12.30am near Lake Ahvenlampi in Luosto. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-XND3bgD/0/pM6nNhZdqr53DVBh5f7b6CPnQNd98KS42ctLVKGS-1776120216-O/i-XND3bgD.jpg Sky Explosion The clouds over Lake Ahvenlampi in Luosto explode into colour just after midnight. These were probably some of the most spectacular midnight sun colours I saw on my whole trip, since they filled the whole sky...and the lake below as well! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-MZTw4Bx/0/CMpfrw5cLcCR9f85GPNDFrt8bDhhB9NC8p7zV7W25-1776120216-O/i-MZTw4Bx.jpg Colourful Midnight Waters The clouds over Lake Ahvenlampi in Luosto explode into colour just after midnight. These were probably some of the most spectacular midnight sun colours I saw on my whole trip, since they filled the whole sky...and the lake below as well! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-VWSWHKw/0/FJVMKg6vRcsKjqtfXxF6tQwXnJNDhnvSJgqpf4CGT-1776120216-O/i-VWSWHKw.jpg Fishing at Midnight Can you find the two fishermen trying to catch a late-night snack? Their reflections are easier to spot than them! I don't blame them for being out so late and enjoying the outdoors. After all, that's what summer in Finland is all about -- provided you have enough bug spray, that is! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-crBQ6s6/0/CjfwkHCkzwgVDW77H4g68zWqp3gFqJ4JDKksFBFV3-1776120216-O/i-crBQ6s6.jpg Lone Pine It's not often you find a lone tree in Finland -- it's usually surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of others -- but this pine on top of Lampivaara Amethyst Mine was one of those few loners. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-RGKCn7Z/2/DSqzHZsfcDKNhbp4XFHBNcdq2tt4MKchX5T2Qv3tj-1776120216-O/i-RGKCn7Z.jpg Isokuru Reflected Reflections of blue skies over the Isokuru Gorge in Pyhä-Luosto National Park. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-b4RRFw3/0/FWS6QFsKkBgkXpL6Jv94kGnRTj4KxGM24pXzmrHxR-1776120216-O/i-b4RRFw3.jpg A Painting of the Midnight Sun Light ripples flutter across the surface of the Ounasjoki underneath the midnight sun. It really did feel like I was standing in a painting. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vJhpwFq/0/CSxjcWzQCkH4tw55BdNvCXj3fwMRFBtMV6wqZTXwj-1776120216-O/i-vJhpwFq.jpg Calm on the Kemijoki The calm waters of the Kemijoki under the gorgeous, late-night skies of midsummer's eve. Rovaniemi was a great place to spend my first midsummer holiday! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-LH6TM9r/0/sjzbgsKJGkJxzLPrGw6gvgJ3dTxWcVVnLdhzSNWW-1776120216-O/i-LH6TM9r.jpg Bonfire on the Kemijoki A bonfire burns on the shores of the Kemijoki in Rovaniemi in celebration of midsummer 2015. It was a perfect night for midsummer too; it was perfectly clear and warm (at least, for Lapland). I took this shot around 12.30am and the sun had only just dropped behind the hills after reflecting perfectly on the river. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-sbGhGTW/0/DTRzcVwj9vs8NK5q4xBBkvxHRmBBwCBGLk8txCZLh-1776120216-O/i-sbGhGTW.jpg Midnight on Midsummer The midnight sun shines over the Kemijoki River during midsummer celebrations in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-bJX8QVW/0/FBQMZ5mfgjhqWb2xzqjWzvtRJfKX92Vxp7L83Nt3w-1776120216-O/i-bJX8QVW.jpg On the (Arctic) Road Again One of many forest-lined roads that snake through Finnish Lapland -- this one just north of the Arctic Circle outside Kemijärvi. Unlike many sections of road in the area, this one was not covered in reindeer seeking shelter from the ever-present mosquitos! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-xqbHpWk/1/CMMTJKDHZkNT4p8cZxNbFWfqzgWKWSj9nLZJ65dRr-1776120216-O/i-xqbHpWk.jpg Where's My Raft? The crush of the Myllykoski rapids on the Kitkajoki River in Oulanka National Park. These rapids are raftable but are some of the largest that commercial operators can tackle in Finland! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qCgrRMg/0/DvDHntMZndqmWC4xWVD3TGRsJGTT7qsRZZ5T8c5KR-1776120216-O/i-qCgrRMg.jpg Reflections of the Finnish Forest The trees of Oulanka National Park -- freshly green after a long winter -- reflecting in the calm waters just upstream from Kiutaköngäs Falls. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-JXdKsR8/0/sNNPwhQD8s5hw5zn98qGD4VQ6MdCCH2tj25vNg3J-1776120216-O/i-JXdKsR8.jpg Oulanka Rush The rush of Kiutaköngäs Falls in Oulanka National Park. And this is the river in relative calm -- a month before I captured this, the river, swollen with snow melt, would have completely engulfed the rocks I stood on to take this shot! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-26BHNhx/0/CF676Vm4DPH6LHbCxB3zbLcPdhcX65PSKDvhMmwF-1776120216-O/i-26BHNhx.jpg Cascading Kiutaköngäs The Oulankajoki, in flood after a good winter meant lots of snowmelt, races through Kiutaköngäs Falls in Oulanka National Park. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-DBb93Gh/0/C6WbwRJn7CtjqbtJz4jJT92zQ4FCR7tNS2rtHbqhd-1776120216-O/i-DBb93Gh.jpg Hiding Behind the Facade A figure peeks out from behind the front facade of Helsinki Cathedral on a golden summer evening. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-G78mXFW/0/b9zgjsBKVmPHtD3XKqphFBwbBVvLJ5tQTHfF8p37-1776120216-O/i-G78mXFW.jpg Cobblestones and the Cathedral One of many old stone pathways around Helsinki, this one leading up to the gorgeous (and very colourful) Uspenski Cathedral. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-hXc6gB7/1/CZ4p34bxbtLTLMm87TtkBzvtpWjdLKwsCNLjDN7f4-1776120216-O/i-hXc6gB7.jpg The Colours of Helenankatu The stunning colours of Helenankatu, near Senate Square in central Helsinki. It was a total accident that I stumbled upon this street in my wanderings around the city yesterday, but I'm glad I did! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-LnpfFjp/0/DVtQWZ9shSpxwcdLjnjH8RqhshH8BVkTMFGG9333W-1776120216-O/i-LnpfFjp.jpg Helsinki Day at Helsinki Cathedral People milling about on the stairs up to Helsinki Cathedral. The weather couldn't have been more gorgeous for Helsinki Day 2015! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Z7hn5rL/0/D8dGp65fWdgbtLGtkcdbbq3RmJ8DKKNVTBsP9np6q-1776120216-O/i-Z7hn5rL.jpg A Beacon in the Long Night The brilliantly-lit Helsinki Cathedral stands against the darkness of the long winter nights of Helsinki in January. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-xqCgbwP/1/bVQDCqBLWMWMH5FVDSjB7FSdJCCTPJRpm8pFDbSr-1776120216-O/i-xqCgbwP.jpg Tram in a Hurry A tram rushes down Aleksanterinkatu on an otherwise quiet winter's night in Helsinki. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-JWzHgm7/0/S7grdBvGt2L5pqHwVWhwjgtpSXK88LhB2XcnwVZN-1776120216-O/i-JWzHgm7.jpg My Corona https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-BHjzmk2/0/DMBL47fFjLBgGNKJsDVkmHhbVK2bTrVNtwDqSbrdX-1776120216-O/i-BHjzmk2.jpg The Western Sky in Green The aurora seems to fall towards the earth in the western sky over Galdotieva in far northwest Finnish Lapland. Taken at the end of March 2013 near full moon. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vzVqR8s/0/MjGhd5XV3xRmrXVvMfLsVPBfGDn9hXXksNHxXxjZ-1776120216-O/i-vzVqR8s.jpg Auroraburst The aurora seemingly emanating from one of the cabins at Galdotieva, near the Norwegian border in Enontekiö, Finland. Even under the full moon, the northern lights completely lit up the sky in green. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Cmz5cKN/0/CQkzGZk5VBbkHDbzdbjcj3WSJXv836wKG88pnLXzS-1776120216-O/i-Cmz5cKN.jpg It Came From the Trees A swirling green and purple aurora appearing just behind the trees that line Lake Palojärvi in northwestern Finland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qDvgQgT/0/DW5Thx35xvs3LfTmx56Q9KB3M84dVXnH8JfMC2Vr9-1776120216-O/i-qDvgQgT.jpg A Rain of Lights It was hard to tell where to look when this storm of northern lights started. They were all across the sky, moving so quickly that it was hard to keep up. What a great way to finish up my trip to Lapland! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-FtsZ863/0/DMHzcbzHWj4wztsNqGhg9V2Cqzdk3tSx3XBfJp8S3-1776120216-O/i-FtsZ863.jpg Pristine Palojärvi White blankets the forests and the wide expanse of Lake Palojärvi beyond. Finnish Lapland is such a magical place in winter. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qm2tR7d/0/DbWSkPtzWZBKB2mKVcZ2mtC4r8RkTjxK3xfk37dt6-1776120216-O/i-qm2tR7d.jpg The Lone Teepee The sun sets over the frame of a kota (a Sami teepee) outside Galdotieva in the remote northwestern province of Enontekiö. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-VCB6rgh/0/CtdQgr7rLCdp98rgBtRRHBJfdn2RrgQ3FvzJmCG2m-1776120216-O/i-VCB6rgh.jpg Warm Atmosphere But Oh So Cold It was crazy how warm an atmosphere the SnowCastle's IceBar had...even though it was -5C and made entirely of ice! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-PRrTpZG/0/DgKKDMQpSnvgBrcRF7GC2znTvj7gxpQs886L344Tm-1776120216-O/i-PRrTpZG.jpg St Patrick's Day in Finland Two years ago on St Patrick's Day, we were in for an absolute treat. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. I'm so glad that I booked in on a last-minute trip that took us to this hill in Kätkävaara, far out in the Finnish wilderness. There was no light pollution so we got to watch the amazing show until the guide forced us all back into the van! Read more (and see more photos) on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-p5qMwf7/0/Cwwq25cDGhzjPhBV5J74tQhx7Ssw2F2z7WW4NGQvq-1776120216-O/i-p5qMwf7.jpg The Height of the Storm To learn more about the northern lights, how to photograph them, and how to travel around Lapland successfully, check out my new 'Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter' available at http://www.winterinlapland.com. The people on my tour to Kätkävaara in Finnish Lapland on the night this was taken had no idea where in the sky to look. The aurora was bouncing across the sky and moving so quickly it was hard to keep track! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6zmRGm5/0/CnDG8bzMmw7bm4PhM6nVwKS2TMwKF7tr4sfwJVkXM-1776120216-O/i-6zmRGm5.jpg St Patrick's Day Party in the Sky We were in for an absolute treat on St. Patrick's Day this year. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. So glad I booked in on a trip that took us to a hill in the middle of nowhere because there was no light pollution to block the amazing show! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Vf3JJtc/0/CWSwRFf6dfMzNHMQmZwsT2rKBKFSStqfTSptxW3MG-1776120216-O/i-Vf3JJtc.jpg The Best Sort of Storm Because there is supposed to be a massive geomagnetic storm hitting the earth's atmosphere today, here's a shot from a solar storm that I witnessed. This shot of the northern lights was taken as our guide was trying to shuttle us back down to the bus at the end of our tour. Luckily, we dug in our heels and asked if we could stay for just a few more minutes, since those minutes featured the most impressive auroras I've ever seen. They were moving so quickly across the sky, with coronas wildly pulsating above our heads, that I soon gave up taking photos and simply stared at it in awe. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-XkJ9TMN/0/D4ph38VXfCq6TkxQMFZzhXz8JF3W57Hn66CqKHS74-1776120216-O/i-XkJ9TMN.jpg The Sky Is Falling The movement in the aurora during the solar storm on March 17 was just unbelievable. It was moving across the sky faster than we could follow it. It danced, it morphed, and at times like this one, it looked like it was falling straight through the atmosphere towards the Earth. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-gKMVVFN/0/cd7rdsswgT8cdTDBXkfFNpBhgJtKwb74jVTwXCQ8-1776120216-O/i-gKMVVFN.jpg Pink, Green & Gold On March 17, I was lucky enough to witness a huge northern lights show, courtesy of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun a few days earlier. We saw nearly every colour the aurora appears in as it danced from one side of the sky to the other. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6Zhf6WP/0/DKCw6cW3k4jrjSrLGpPFpLB92fFLtxFqktWQs6b9B-1776120216-O/i-6Zhf6WP.jpg The Aurora Hunters One year ago today, on St. Patrick's Day 2013, a massive solar storm lit up the skies above Finnish Lapland. I was lucky enough to have booked a tour that night to Katkavaara, a nature reserve far away from the lights of any city, so we had an unadulterated view of the night sky. It was an experience that is beyond words. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-kzVjMpx/0/FNvh2hs4m2qFH4fRcMDZpKQZt627mz5GGHWwcvHj4-1776120216-O/i-kzVjMpx.jpg Aurora Ignites Northern lights dancing in the sky over Kätkävaara, Finland, collide with light pollution in the distance, creating what seemed to be the aurora igniting in front of our eyes. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-GJjMhg4/0/DZsGW934KgvJF96rkMrRjPbKnMcmcCTGjfczZfGjh-1776120216-O/i-GJjMhg4.jpg Smiling Sky Like with clouds, it's amazing what you can see in the shapes of the northern lights. I swear I can see a smiley in this shot from the top of a hill in Kätkävaara, Finland. Can you? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-74zhbSL/0/DPqSPbkT3HwdW52VpXdH4BrwBJdGmLhjrq4KgVT7q-1776120216-O/i-74zhbSL.jpg The Solar Storm and the Radioactive Snow A solar storm on St Patrick's Day 2013 created auroras so strong over Finnish Lapland that they actually made the snow glow green! This was taken on a tour to Kätkävaara that I signed up for at the last minute in hopes of getting out of the city and really seeing the storm. I'm so glad I did! See more photos of the best auroras I've ever seen on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qgQWVCn/0/5NbdvtHZCQc2fH8vwXC7JS9w2392mpXKTJBFXSG4-1776120216-O/i-qgQWVCn.jpg Zigzag When we first hiked 400m up a hill in Kâtkâvaara, Finnish Lapland, to see the northern lights, our guide pointed out north and told us that was the direction the lights would come from. Then we turned south and saw this! The lights stretched from horizon to horizon that night…it was stunning. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-8KzfDN5/0/m882WVrxvzP9CGbGfjLd9DWBqLdKFHT8bPR3kT4v-1776120216-O/i-8KzfDN5.jpg Solar Storm Over Rovaniemi On St. Patrick's Day 2013, a massive solar storm hit the earth's atmosphere, causing auroras as far south as Colorado. In Finland, we had spectacular northern lights all through the night that were clearly visible even in cities with as much light pollution as Rovaniemi. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vqQfQdV/0/FBCLZ4v47XpwgJ9qhmGdLFQfPCRJbN6RNjPsCL57L-1776120216-O/i-vqQfQdV.jpg Inside the Glass Igloo I was lucky enough to see the northern lights many times while I was in Finland last year. One of the most memorable nights I had was the one I spent in a glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. Not only did I not have to go outside in the -38ºC temperatures, but I could just adjust my bed to the perfect angle and watch them from bed! Read more about my night in the glass igloos on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-RQNqxZ7/0/CRnCqCc6zstpm85DSmfVFKxz7r8nLG86NPFknkrPx-1776120216-O/i-RQNqxZ7.jpg Nighttime in a Glass Igloo This was my view from inside my glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. My stay there was a highlight on my itinerary and it absolutely did not disappoint. How could it when I could lie in bed taking photos of the northern lights when it was -38C outside?! http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-4JC3FHG/0/C6BxKHVphCvhRjnWKVcwmLkNHM4wnFW3x2qV5rGZH-1776120216-O/i-4JC3FHG.jpg Home is a Glass Igloo One of many lines of glass igloos at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. This was definitely my favourite accommodation in Lapland -- what can beat having a bed under a glass roof while the northern lights dance above?! Curious about what it's like to stay in a glass igloo for a night? Read more at http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-DSvBsdb/0/XcqbT9ddxkktjxMw5ZfJwfQ9JzZsnKgZJm7sfPrp-1776120216-O/i-DSvBsdb.jpg Yet Another Gorgeous Lapland Sunset I couldn't believe how many gorgeous sunsets I saw in Lapland. The sun seemed to be in golden hour for most of the day and became even more striking around sunset. What a great way to start an evening of northern lights watching! This shot was taken just outside the glass igloo village at Santa's Resort, Kakslauttanen. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-rSmGp4B/0/FDMwdJBq4R6b4hgsc4C7dc7nRMpKf9DcCWFSjfHfK-1776120216-O/i-rSmGp4B.jpg City of Lights You're often told, when you head north to the Arctic Circle, that you'll need to get out of the city to see the northern lights properly. That's often true, as the light pollution blocks you from seeing the full strength of the aurora, but sometimes you're lucky enough to see a scene like this right behind your hotel. Taken in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, behind the Hotel Kultahippu. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Sx9brXj/1/9bH8mJ9fdbps98Lbf8FTzgtF9Fctk4pH7krbrhFn-1776120216-O/i-Sx9brXj.jpg The Last Taste of Freedom Unsurprisingly, the majority of the rivers in Lapland were frozen so thickly by March that you could walk across them with no worries at all. The River Juutua in Inari was not one of those rivers, given it had raging rapids fighting the freezing cold (and I mean freezing, since it was -33ºC the night before I took this). Those rapids eventually lost the battle slightly further downriver. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-CgsHbQN/0/FJBXV2jc94JZPPsBvBvpNxwsp2pQ7cZgMgBG3P2mN-1776120216-O/i-CgsHbQN.jpg Lapland Skies The sky lighting up in gold a few hours before sunset as I walked along the Juutua River in Inari. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-SDDnTtS/0/FG7hQvkWRGP7PbdZVmLKWFt8Cz7FVB5chdZ29Fqx3-1776120216-O/i-SDDnTtS.jpg Making Tracks Snowmobiles, walkers, and skiiers before had beaten down a wide path alongside the Juutua River in Inari. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6mM3mJ2/1/FNNwzmDV6sFjPP52ZRDFC3n6cZ7GrTkwXmVvpT8qL-1776120216-O/i-6mM3mJ2.jpg Lapland Light Which would you rather do: walk through an autumnal forest (like in my last photo) or stroll down a snow-covered lane in the everlasting golden hours of Lapland's winter? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-kvQTcK5/0/TgxqW4zrfpMMJrW6G4RsGfZMpqfRbS3k7hkdKbHc-1776120216-O/i-kvQTcK5.jpg The God of the Sky When you're watching the northern lights light up the Arctic sky, it's very easy to understand why people used to believe that they were the work of the gods. In particular, the Sami believed that the northern lights were the souls of their ancestors coming back to dance across the sky. How can you not believe them when shapes like this one appear? It looks to me like a hooded man flying across the sky with one arm extended and one at his side...what do you see? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-KJHjzG7/0/ChJ8htCSdSBBsKRhpXZ7nMDHCRjg8XJVKmf9xpd7V-1776120216-O/i-KJHjzG7.jpg Aurora Dancing Above Inari The first time I saw the northern lights, they appeared as a dim green line across the sky. The second time I saw the northern lights, in Inari, Finland, they danced across the entire northern sky. It was amazing. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-CtC4VWm/0/D4VxJzLpV7xnVxwspcMhgzzc5XTtzCRrRdN49mD7F-1776120215-O/i-CtC4VWm.jpg What the Morning Brings I pulled into Kragerø late the night before and had already been quite astounded by the beauty of the lit up little town by the sea. I was even more impressed the next morning when I woke up to this! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-TcxgMLx/0/FQn79gzV4knwwnkCx9HmP3BPhCv667HPJRbvPC4Tr-1776120215-O/i-TcxgMLx.jpg Morning Calm at the Marina A gorgeous, calm morning in the coastal town of Kragerø, in Telemark on Norway's southern coast. This was a quickly chosen stop on a larger roadtrip, but man did we choose well! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-5kCdTCc/0/DFsVVwD3Wt8vtC2KX2XPnGQ2xMVDWFfqtDBzvC7hC-1776120215-O/i-5kCdTCc.jpg Lovely Lysefjord When the weather in Stavanger started to clear in the afternoon, we made the spontaneous decision to drive out towards Lysebotn, the town at the end of the famous Lysefjord. We ended up driving all the way there -- including down the 21 hairpin turns of Lysevågen -- and were greeted with this golden hour view. There was even a bit of blue sky! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-7nsh36M/0/DxN3fg8zgKXMv8qtjWqMG8D5R9W7S7HSJGqX8WzTx-1776120215-O/i-7nsh36M.jpg Rushing Adrenalin at Preikestolen Of all the things I've done on my travels that promise an adrenalin rush, this spot probably offered the biggest -- along with a healthy dose of fear. Sitting near the edge of Preikestolen is enough to turn your legs to jelly as you look down from the ledge that sits 604m above Lysefjord far below. Even though the rocky outcrop where I captured this shot from required quite a bit of clambering across cliff faces to get to, I much preferred being here than out on the rock itself. However, that did mean we got to watch as so many other people put themselves seemingly inches from certain death! It was exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-VhhJVMz/0/FPWWJjHNcBTVRnTkm3MQbbRfNS9szgrh7gTf886cP-1776120215-O/i-VhhJVMz.jpg The Power of Låtefoss This waterfall, which we found in Fjord Norway on our "scenic route" drive between Bergen and Stavanger, is one of the most powerful I've seen in a long time. Standing on the other side of the road from the waterfall means having a quick shower -- there really is that much spray! To top it off: from this angle, I could only see half of the waterfall. I wasn't game to dodge cars on the narrow highway in the rain to try to capture the other half though! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-smw4Kz5/0/FKsV2x2tQHhVdqhqhwGnz43R5HVB5kZdPmWNWvMLR-1776120215-O/i-smw4Kz5.jpg Double the Downpour The powerful crush of Låtefoss, just outside the town of Odda in Fjord Norway. This was such a powerful and huge waterfall that I've only managed to capture half in this photo -- there is a second set of falls hidden behind the rocks to the left. With the spray pouring off the falls and the heavy rain, it's a surprise I managed to get any photos at all! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-tQgbPw4/0/CLGcfRx3MM6BH87PZQwmsNVDN7K63XjDJbBMXvtq7-1776120215-O/i-tQgbPw4.jpg Soaked by Steindalsfossen Steindalsfossen, in the fjords of Norway a few hours' drive from Bergen, was impressive both in how powerful it was and the fact that there was a walkway that let you feel the full force of the waterfall's spray! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-W4PjQ3f/0/DhHhrqGMFCtCTkNTFHTfMTf4PKmxxnFS2HvPRBks3-1776120215-O/i-W4PjQ3f.jpg Night Falls on Bryggen Night falls over the World Heritage-listed Bryggen wharves on Bergen's waterfront. I loved looking across the water during the day but I think I liked the view even more at night! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-9XVSbL6/0/rLp4Dd3XWwPnXQ9FZt9R6R5n6FcXcd44Bh4WrdQn-1776120215-O/i-9XVSbL6.jpg Watercolour Wharves Calm waters reflect a gorgeous August evening on the Bergen waterfront in Norway's fjords. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-952KDNN/0/C8SGvhrZC4Hk6HZQ4wsKFHK25VfbrDp8sGVqcVC8D-1776120215-O/i-952KDNN.jpg Swooping Into the Fjord Just over the mountains from the city of Bergen -- Norway's second largest city -- is Sørfjorden and the island of Østerøy, which we were lucky enough to be able to see from 2,500ft up in a helicopter! The clouds parted for only a few hours that afternoon so we timed our flight perfectly as well! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-4GgNf8S/0/2tD7gpwfvJfNfbD3vD7hGMXK2NJj5TJcmpFtJgCg-1776120215-O/i-4GgNf8S.jpg Helicoptering Over Sørfjorden When I flew into Bergen the day before to meet my parents, I sat at the window seat and gazed out at the fjords surrounding Norway's second-largest city in awe. When I arrived, I joked to my parents that we should go for a helicopter ride to see the scenery the next day. Despite the fact that my mother is terrified of heights, they eagerly agreed, which is how I found myself in a helicopter over Indre Arna and Sørfjorden, just outside Bergen, the next day! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/germany weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-GwzRtRN/0/CSwtnsMdJ9CN9RFnFR5dvSZbVWWfTVQLNhT4CTkqZ-1776120215-O/i-GwzRtRN.jpg Misty Bavaria Thick mist hanging across the path to Kleiner Traithen. It gave the whole track an eerie feel, with the reds and yellows of autumn foliage framing it perfectly. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-KJDZMqv/0/C7vQd4N659Jtsw4XXZXNJ28M8d4LmZdXsdP7CVzNt-1776120215-O/i-KJDZMqv.jpg The Golden Gates of Herrenhausen I've always enjoyed visiting stately homes and gardens in England, so I was more than happy to take up my friend's offer to go to the Herrenhausen Gardens in Hannover, Germany. After some initially cold and miserable weather, the skies cleared up and we were greeted with gorgeous sights like these. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-TzXknSk/0/FVKdcPx3cNb5jcFFZd9LcQkFzw7RLZjR445k5b5Jc-1776120215-O/i-TzXknSk.jpg Out of the Enchanted Forest Walking along the Rheinsteig between Rüdesheim and Assmanshausen, I came across this little castle. The whole thing -- the forest, the castle, the Rhine below -- felt like it was out of a fairytale. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-2VcrgVG/0/392zhQVwxdCprcBM8qB84P969hjwhL7WTNFV5wmD-1776120215-O/i-2VcrgVG.jpg Niederwald The stunning view across the Upper Middle Rhine Valley from between the top of the gondola from Rüdesheim and the Niederwald Monument. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-KpvP635/0/DknD2zX33kPjdtmTZ2fbGZ3LMK5MSFLC8sj33vqs6-1776120215-O/i-KpvP635.jpg Calm in Cologne Cathedral I’ve been to a number of European cathedrals, but I was still blown away by Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral). I was impressed by the sheer size of the building as I stood, feeling very minute, under its towering spires. It’s easy to see how construction could have taken over 600 years (it started in 1248 and finally finished in 1880) because it was such a massive undertaking. Even now, only 133 years after completion, there are reconstruction works on one of the spires (which added a lovely scaffolding to many of my photos). https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-mhSXhcQ/0/9Knmb3GWLPSjR8SQzbTvwFMZ3WGHHxCw6TzNbTT4-1776120304-O/i-mhSXhcQ.jpg The Purple, Green, and Blue Lagoon Wow, how different the Blue Lagoon looks under the night sky! Even though the aurora was not incredibly bright on this evening, I still love the combination of colours created by it and the light pollution from Keflavík nearby. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-nCDRQGN/0/CBN4x6Cc6d6FkMMknpdvg8dwcBsMHc8ZDLvpbmNKM-1776120304-O/i-nCDRQGN.jpg Pink Sky, Pink Water It's the days that are the rainiest that often have the best sunsets. This was one of those days in Iceland -- it poured with rain nearly the entire way from Jökulsárlón to Reykjanes. Yet the sun started peeking through just before sunset, so we started looking for a place with a nice foreground looking west. Luckily, we found this spot, just in front of a lighthouse, as the skies were filling with pink! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-2gzkB8n/0/Cp2hmjPG3Z3H2Dc3DjS9FXkJk3jRNvVdgwrzhSvxC-1776120304-O/i-2gzkB8n.jpg Stjórnarfoss in Green The many green hues of Stjórnarfoss, one of my favourite waterfalls on Iceland's south coast (possibly because we were the only ones there to see it at the time)! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-p7kLdhC/0/CrTLVGnTccxd7DZG8nPR6DB2DTSCxpDDTw6NBH55Z-1776120304-O/i-p7kLdhC.jpg Black Sand, Blue Ice A lone iceberg does its best to resist the waves trying to suck it back into the sea at Jökulsárlón beach. The black sand, blue ice, and white of the wash as the waves rushed out back to sea were a huge contrast, even in the dying light of the day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-vPpQFn6/0/9vQsCh2XhNv63xvVfTzBFMZpfmQrvxpTrKHKb4xd-1776120304-O/i-vPpQFn6.jpg The Land of Fire and Ice The land of fire and ice -- Iceland -- has plenty to offer of both fire and ice, but around the Vatnajökull glacier -- which covers 8% of the island's entire land mass! -- ice is definitely in more supply. I captured this scene on the glacier lake at Jökulsárlón. It was a gorgeous spot to be as the sun started dipping towards the horizon, and surprisingly not all that crowded given its popularity! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-9nFrf2n/0/Dks4Mmfmhj4sMmM694XDLF4nZKh8ppVL7GLf7tNtr-1776120304-O/i-9nFrf2n.jpg The Waterfall at the Beginning of the Rainbow A (partial) double rainbow sprouting from the base of Skógafoss on Iceland's south coast. We got so lucky seeing this at all; as we were getting ready for the day, I looked out the window and saw a wall of clouds descending on Skogar so we rushed as quickly as we could to get to Skógafoss. We saw this rainbow for about 5 minutes before the sun disappeared and it was gone. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-zkzHLzx/0/FZCRTGLdxFGXwJM32t7rK7qC4PTgRfbnpZPDPJtTr-1776120304-O/i-zkzHLzx.jpg When Skógafoss Turned Green My friend and I had joked that a perfect day in Iceland would include (1) blue skies as we went four-wheel-driving in Landmannalaugar, (2) a colourful sunset at Seljalandsfoss, and (3) the northern lights over Skógafoss. Seeing this meant we were 3/3 for the day! Shooting here was actually quite difficult, since the aurora was so bright and the waterfall was so dark. Trying to light paint it just resulted in lighting up the huge amount of spray coming off the falls. But really, we got to see the aurora over one of Iceland's more famous waterfalls. It doesn't get much better than that. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-dnRnf8C/0/Ckk4zgsgFbHHvP7SDLS7wFDbntJJ8TwjLKQ84RgsM-1776120304-O/i-dnRnf8C.jpg A Sunset at Seljalandsfoss The iconic view of Seljalandsfoss at sunset. Despite the fact that we'd had a huge day -- driving on rough F-roads to Landmannalaugar, then to Seljalandsfoss and finally on to Skógafoss -- I spent my time here running around like crazy trying to capture every angle. Of all the waterfalls I photographed in Iceland, this one definitely had the most angle options as well, since you can walk all the way along the cliffs on both sides as well as right behind it. I'm glad I moved around though, since each angle seemingly shows off the waterfall in a completely different light! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-tcHjdRG/0/4sFkcM3cJ7NQSSbLLGjqx2cKmVBXBTD9Fgkg5FbX-1776120304-O/i-tcHjdRG.jpg Cotton Candy Waterfall The sun sets in front of Seljalandsfoss in southern Iceland, turning the entire waterfall into a giant piece of cotton candy. We were so lucky to get a good sunset on our one evening here! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-zWvwpRx/0/DG2TLzQfngbckzr5z5RLgc8TZPr6zWkbzstBFsT2Q-1776120304-O/i-zWvwpRx.jpg The Residents of Landmannalaugar Fluffy Icelandic sheep dining on the grass of Landmannalaugar in Iceland's highlands. This place truly has to be seen to be believed -- the colours of the rhyolite mountains are truly otherworldly! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Nz4Bck4/0/cgN8cBqdcqTqSZ7bLW7bmm7qLZ3mCHGqgRZ9WhTB-1776120304-O/i-Nz4Bck4.jpg A Hike Through an Impressionist Painting For the entire afternoon I spent in Landmannalaugar (in Iceland's Highlands), I kept looking around thinking how the landscape couldn't possibly be real. The rhyolite mountains shifted from browns to reds to greens and back again, and seemed to change with every turn of the head. It really did feel like I was in an impressionist painting; I wonder if the two hikers in this shot felt the same? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-V7jXTh9/0/T9wxStSw6qFMqk86V8XzJXp9NrK4T5Sh3C9gzdwN-1776120304-O/i-V7jXTh9.jpg What's at the End of the Aurora? They say there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so what's at the end of the aurora? Because I reckon it's just over that hill in Fludir, Iceland... https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-DqTR8Ct/0/D9tTFcgq6vqtfCdcMsn6fxcK7cPdTxXLFj52Kn9SQ-1776120304-O/i-DqTR8Ct.jpg Above the Fields of Fludir The aurora did its best to out-green the fields of Fludir on this clear September night in Iceland. I think it did a pretty good job. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-9Qjq7z5/0/DNSnMjtk3rcSKcXWcT2fgm7qPWFK3tkcRWHvTgkpX-1776120304-O/i-9Qjq7z5.jpg The Big Dipper's Aurora The aurora dances across the sky just below the Big Dipper. I captured this scene just outside the small town of Fludir, near Gullfoss waterfall at the end of the Golden Circle. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Xj3hppz/0/Cnx85Hn9hs4f32r8g3Qj2ZC4Nm6LhMRRHQtW2NdZM-1776120304-O/i-Xj3hppz.jpg Eruption! Strokkur, the main active geyser in the Geysir geothermal area in Iceland's Golden Circle, as it erupts. The anticipation was palpable as the crowds pressed in as close as they dared during the 8 minute wait between eruptions, and when it did erupt, it went many metres higher than most of us were expecting! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-qtHB7rQ/0/CsSC8WPqf2z8VTwNGmZKJGBhGNVrMmbcnRnTr7r4n-1776120304-O/i-qtHB7rQ.jpg Falling Over the Continental Divide Öxarárfoss flowing over the edge of the American tectonic plate in Iceland's Thingvellir National Park. This national park was so incredibly impressive, and the waterfall even more so. It's no wonder that the Icelandic people used this place for the backdrop of some of their most important historical events, including the establishment of the Icelandic Parliament in year 930. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-FxGQcwR/0/Dftwpm6FSqWTH38zrLDbSNRw3Z6dz7fVzsGTw8bnt-1776120304-O/i-FxGQcwR.jpg Dancing at the Lighthouse After I picked up my friend at Keflavik airport, we made a beeline for the closest landmark I knew -- the Gardur Lighthouse -- to try to watch the northern lights we could already see from the parking lot with less light pollution. It was a good choice ! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-48XtVNb/1/Fd7gHhF8qPt9tFGpFfXPR54bBBsmCQjs3Ft9MkTV8-1776120304-O/i-48XtVNb.jpg The Green Lights of Gardur Lighthouse Location: Gardur, Reykjanes peninsula, Iceland This isn't your standard lighthouse light, but hey, I think I prefer it to a simple white flashing beam! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-vTHxCGK/0/4ZXzQ3m7WXTrt4RtMxpngWVMDSBzBJrdB9LM9Grr-1776120304-O/i-vTHxCGK.jpg Swirling Reykjanes Sky The northern lights swirl over the beach at Gardur on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula. I kind of like how a slight bump to my tripod resulted in a sky full of shooting stars too! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-SvwhSpn/0/CGR29Pjx3rS9B4sK8nhHRGqMLG8pTr7K5bV2Pbsbc-1776120304-O/i-SvwhSpn.jpg Bathing in the Sunset Bathers take in the gorgeous sunset views from Myvatn Nature Baths. These hot pools were very similar to the Blue Lagoon but significantly less crowded (and with better views)! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-J9hfcXf/0/vfFhTMDJtq6zrPgV8xjntLgpbCp5MKJ6bSHngGbx-1776120304-O/i-J9hfcXf.jpg Jon Snow's Cave (But Not Really) Grjótagjá is said to be the cave where Jon Snow broke his vows to the Night's Watch. It was actually only used for a few brief scenes showing the outside of the cave, but I honestly wasn't bothered whether it was a filming location or not. It was an awesome spot either way...because really, how many hot springs have you been to that are at the bottom of a lava cave? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-bgTLVPc/0/DVGVWMBNCBdj36CGwcqv6fdGCX4t5hjQj9WncJ8J2-1776120304-O/i-bgTLVPc.jpg The Dance of the Boiling Mud The dance of the boiling mud.💃💃 I was fascinated by the crazy patterns the mud formed as it launched itself out of the pools of Hverir. I find geothermal sites endlessly fascinating anyway, but I think people must have thought I was a bit odd with how long I stood staring at one pool! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-h6kLGGf/1/Cnmh3Z4D3Lfm97dbqsLSg7K7kWqN4xSLzFLpHPrDZ-1776120304-O/i-h6kLGGf.jpg Mighty Goðafoss The massive falls of Goðafoss in Iceland's north. This had to be one of my favourite waterfalls in Iceland, partially because it had so many different viewpoints and partially because I got to watch the northern lights dance over it for hours the night before! This lookout was definitely the most difficult to get to, requiring a precarious jump across wobbly rocks just upstream from the falls. Initially I decided not to try it, but after a tour bus arrived and a number of people crossed safely, I got up the nerve and managed to get across successfully. Glad I did! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Lb58pk2/1/DZ8hQ6mF8QdpqD5DwcZS7Sw6qCjzh7dC7PRSVS4bL-1776120304-O/i-Lb58pk2.jpg River of Green The River Skjálfandafljót, which flows out the spectacular Godafoss waterfall, lighting up green underneath spectacular northern lights. Even with the slight cloud cover, the lights were clearly visible. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-L9DkDzG/0/CpxbrsqjhS4C4q8tMkSd9C6H7cTLSj29D85TzHbxm-1776120304-O/i-L9DkDzG.jpg The Waterfall of the Gods There is no doubt in my mind as to why Icelanders dubbed this waterfall Goðafoss, or "the waterfall of the gods." This was certainly a great way to spend a Friday evening and was one of the most memorable aurora displays I've seen to date! I also felt like it was quite an accomplishment to even get a night shot at ground level of Goðafoss. The spray here was so heavy that my gear was literally dripping afterwards, so trying to get a shot that wasn't obscured by spray on the lens was not easy! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-MPCCHZT/0/gP5L4pHh9zfZdKVHDm5HBwLB6SsHvhp9FNvbW6n7-1776120304-O/i-MPCCHZT.jpg The Dance of the Aurora and the Waterfall The aurora dancing across the sky above the famous Godafoss in northern Iceland. I loved how it managed to defy the clouds trying to move in and hide it, since it meant hours more aurora watching for me! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-X9LTbRv/0/BcG8hFDX3PX769C6Kwm3BNbG4WNJWD67LmJMnD4F-1776120304-O/i-X9LTbRv.jpg Swirling Sky, Churning Waterfall The aurora dances above the spectacular Goðafoss in northern Iceland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Ph9Qcp7/0/DRCqNfpwhWfMSm7bZdNDH8dHrzdq3DC58chQ56nVM-1776120304-O/i-Ph9Qcp7.jpg Sunset in Amongst the Spray The sky lights up in pink over the massive Goðafoss waterfall in northern Iceland. I couldn't have asked for a better 18hrs here -- a sunset, northern lights all night, and then blue skies the next day! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-6QnVQgs/0/C5DLbQJPrbNsnpwkpjnMDFnVSPkTJkX2JhWjnrBGS-1776120304-O/i-6QnVQgs.jpg Just Another Day on the Ring Road During the two weeks I was in Iceland, I drove more than 3000km to places as far-flung as Lake Myvatn in the north and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the south. I loved that this was just standard scenery on the ring road (the one road that circles the entire country). It made the driving that much easier! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-5PdXSzq/0/3VWxrJ7cvSMcNR9NWCWBSnfV4HtWXfcRmP9wtgXQ-1776120304-O/i-5PdXSzq.jpg Farming, Iceland Style I couldn't help but stop at this spot as I drove on the ring road towards Akureyri in northern Iceland. Even though I felt like I'd been stopping every 500m, it was worth it to see this picture-perfect pastoral scene. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-KhvB7nR/0/Cp5dZS4p5Z7cP62zrzdXqxmKfntP68JgjQ2DDk59k-1776120304-O/i-KhvB7nR.jpg The Moods of Kirkjufell Location: Kirkjufell, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland The triple waterfall of Kirkjufellsfoss crashing down a hill in front of its namesake mountain. Even on days with moody weather, Iceland is still breathtakingly beautiful. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-bd67Xzm/0/DN4RfzMbzqHTcFvWJ4bNDb5BVnhwvGp5wCpMjJFv7-1776120304-O/i-bd67Xzm.jpg Kirkjufellsfoss from a Different Angle A slightly lesser-known view of the famous Kirkjufellsfoss on Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Even though the angle facing the mountain of Kirkjufell is usually the one that features in photos, this angle shows just how multi-tiered and divided the waterfall really is. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-ZC9qw4J/0/DBXFknVXPZ6zsrd3pMSJkNwZH4QxrP2cp7Rv8TxXN-1776120304-O/i-ZC9qw4J.jpg Brooding Kirkjufell A very broody Kirkjufell standing above the rushing waters of Kirkjufellsfoss on an autumn day in Iceland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-cBR2mwF/0/C7dxQ9t7swhtVTZHd3gMNqxMMrkPTB2q3RnGp4WTg-1776120304-O/i-cBR2mwF.jpg Running Away from the Setting Sun Kirkjufellsfoss, finally calm after a day of gale-force winds turned its waters into a wall of spray, under a brief splash of colour from the setting sun. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-sQjgqFT/0/CNbkmNkhSN7bkRrK7CWVdjFbJ2bKgX3n5KV7CK9JD-1776120304-O/i-sQjgqFT.jpg A Lucky Glimpse of the Aurora I couldn't believe that on my first night in Iceland, I was able to see the northern lights. I also couldn't believe that I happened to wake up at 3am and catch one of the few moments of clear skies -- I had 15 minutes before the whole sky was shrouded in clouds again. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/italy weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Italy/i-d83ZKNq/0/CLGKd9hBQ287Wc36nLcGwC7nrrJdjCb8tXLGqSh6L-1776120215-O/i-d83ZKNq.jpg Dolomite Glow The gorgeous alpenglow that lit up the mountains all around us every morning on a recent ski trip to the Dolomites. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/japan weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Japan/i-9vK5HNP/0/jkvqNVbtv28Tr5Q6TFPtmsZq7JWxNCLMCKHttPXh-1776120215-O/i-9vK5HNP.jpg The Top of the Black Run After spending the entire morning on the bunny slopes with a fantastic view of Mt. Yotei, I decided to head up the Grand Hirafu gondola to get a better view. Even though the clouds had descended -- as they usually do in Niseko -- it still made for a pretty impressive sight. Plus, I got to have a few interesting conversations when people realised I was standing at the top of a ski run in snow boots rather than on a snowboard... https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Japan/i-Z2Vsnxh/0/DjwFpqw5z6Q3H7N4zvmJMFhfcjk5g4gWs4PsTB6NJ-1776120215-O/i-Z2Vsnxh.jpg Going Up The snow-encrusted view from the ski lift going up to the bunny slope at Niseko Grand Hirafu ski resort. I got very used to this view since I spent most of my 5 days on this slope! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/montenegro weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Montenegro/i-dntTgqG/0/DkJmk6rZ9R3DgGTb9j3h7CrqXWzvPJWstmcXTqPgK-1776120304-O/i-dntTgqG.jpg Ripples in the Sunset A gorgeous sunset seen while walking to dinner along the shores of the Bay of Kotor. The fading wake of a passing boat added even more texture to the water that seemed to light up almost as pink as the sky. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-KZ5B5vx/2/CskRWLXwNGWpxF6k7Hffxjp6hL5PFdV9hSMZXSkrW-1776120305-O/i-KZ5B5vx.jpg The Road Through Arthur's Pass Once we crossed Arthur's Pass on the road between the South Island's west and east coasts, the landscape drastically changed. Gone were the lush green forests of the west coast; they had been replaced with an almost arid, mottled brown landscape. As you would expect with NZ, though, it was still stunningly gorgeous! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-3LDVfm9/1/FSRcJ7F85xv374wm88bFwHKjr8WFTqSsqgRS9W9qh-1776120305-O/i-3LDVfm9.jpg Mapourika by Morning As we drove north along the west coast towards Hokitika and Arthur's Pass, we passed a sign for the Lake Mapourika camping area. I decided to quickly pull in and see what the lake was like. Boy was I glad I did that, since the water was completely still with an absolutely perfect reflection, with only the occasional ripple breaking the unending calm. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-XDHKx9p/0/f2cNvHjjr96zkxBwfgxHtrhk4hFHNqpWhVh8sSkj-1776120305-O/i-XDHKx9p.jpg A Glacier View from Glacier Cottages We couldn't have asked for a better morning on our last day in New Zealand. We were lucky enough to have two sunny days out of three on the West Coast, so we got to fully enjoy the view of the mountains around the Waiho Valley and Franz Josef from in front of our "Glacier Cottage." https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-d9jkmWw/0/FXZ6JfxtHcnJcKsgpDfS6rj37dJhQfj2STgCFj3nk-1776120305-O/i-d9jkmWw.jpg Driving West Driving into a rare patch of blue sky as we neared Knight's Point on New Zealand's West Coast. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-kGxp6K6/0/Dx7RccBShsRwVsdJKsqPFt8LJ2bb5bnwmTz947qWB-1776120305-O/i-kGxp6K6.jpg Just Another Morning Swim Ducks going for an early morning swim on Lake Wakatipu under an impressive sunrise. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-WtBBcjc/0/Fc2hMN6pgTMqNSC9W3X9vzrgq9q5WQFxFcNvMPn5Z-1776120305-O/i-WtBBcjc.jpg Good Morning Queenstown! Location: Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand I didn't plan on getting up to watch the sunrise on our last morning in Queenstown, but when I woke up at 5.15am and my whole hotel room was lit up in pink, I grabbed my camera and ran to the lakeshore, which was luckily just across the road from the hotel. It was definitely worth it! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-TXBcfWT/0/CZHc4DcXJ8fw8wjMgd3czGT6SdRkx7C9FZXMLjsnp-1776120305-O/i-TXBcfWT.jpg A Remarkable Sunrise I was so lucky being able to capture this sunrise. When I woke up around 5.15am to a brilliantly pink room I realised that I was missing a fantastic sunrise over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Luckily we were staying in a hotel on the lakeshore so I was able to run across the road and capture the amazing colours. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-9kT7Zvr/0/DP3gRxnq3HGhLksGrbCLpxPCz4SQ3sJKgg3VXZp4S-1776120305-O/i-9kT7Zvr.jpg The Easy Way Down Coronet Peak Because my family and I didn't have our own mountainbikes, we decided to take the easy way down Coronet Peak once we'd been to its summit -- that is, we went back down the chairlift we came up! I just couldn't believe how stunning the views were -- even this one, which included a man-made pond that really shouldn't have been as beautiful as it was! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-bJnK3jH/0/mgj5dJN8vtwPnqMvqxvDttXmGhLDWj3Gr37Xgg75-1776120305-O/i-bJnK3jH.jpg Walk the Plank Mountain bikers know about Coronet Peak in summer, but it seems like not many people in the general public did! After buying a $15 roundtrip chairlift ticket, we rode to the top and walked a short way up to the peak, where we found this view. The mountains were a beautiful mix of blues and golds and stretched as far as we could see. I was happy standing at this spot to take photos of the sweeping views, but I wasn't exactly game to walk out on that little ledge -- do you think you would be? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-jhn7bF5/0/DWTTVsqhkXCKZPvB66bVJQ2MrQvfbTTxds7572xJZ-1776120305-O/i-jhn7bF5.jpg Shooting Down the Shotover One of the Shotover Jet jetboats powers towards the Shotover Canyon after a quick 360º for the photographers. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-tD3pxHc/0/DtZR2mPRZnSspDnJqHDzSqsXQjJNKJbDXprzq9ssd-1776120305-O/i-tD3pxHc.jpg The Guardian of Lake Wakatipu There's no better time for a stroll along the waterfront on Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu at sunset. Not only do the Remarkables glow in the evening light, but in St Omer Park on the lake's foreshore, the setting sun lights up the trees in amazing patterns. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-nMc66DV/0/dPzXNjLWT3F2rFg3vWcNrmdTN99FpnWkmkF9r7w9-1776120305-O/i-nMc66DV.jpg Driving the Devil's Staircase This section of road, stretching along the eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu, has earned itself the name 'the Devil's Staircase' due to its continuous turns, ascents, and descents. Unlike the Devil's Staircase on the Tongariro Crossing, which really did have me swearing by the end, this one was a lot of fun! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-rMp8wP7/0/CNJQrxQLxP74JJZts6HbFFRBQ46FCtWR6mmNfzM2F-1776120305-O/i-rMp8wP7.jpg The Other Pearl Harbour The slightly lesser-known Pearl Harbour, this one located on Lake Manapouri on New Zealand's South Island. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-HV8hcWB/0/Cdr329NH4sTqxG3cTJ7CGWkr6SZn49gQS85fzzDwZ-1776120305-O/i-HV8hcWB.jpg Fiordland Sunset Can you think of many things better than kayaking on a calm lake as the sun sets behind the mountains? Because I can't. Seems like these guys, out kayaking on Lake Te Anau during Christmas break, definitely had it made. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Jdm8JN4/0/CHtP5kwhxTrtBzWP93cnLj5kwsxDq4L8R5XMQjNJq-1776120305-O/i-Jdm8JN4.jpg Typical Milford Sound Milford Sound must have known that I wanted to take photos the day I was there, since it was not only overcast but low tide as well! I didn't mind too much though, since this photo really epitomises Milford Sound -- spectacular landscapes and not-so-spectacular weather! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Kf7Mghz/0/DBmHNG9ZfMhGqnV3crRhd9cHvNdK9HgPvMmHCp2rL-1776120305-O/i-Kf7Mghz.jpg Kawarau Crossing The gorgeous view of the Remarkables as we cross the Kawarau River in Queenstown. What a perfect day to arrive there! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-gLBgRV9/0/CR53zmNhm4vTMshnDVqWPNQrcZzRRmJM3J7763XDm-1776120305-O/i-gLBgRV9.jpg A Crown of Lupins Lupins blooming just above a stream running through the Crown Range near Queenstown. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-gC346mr/0/DddFg4Ms5QR4mC9DKq92NDZZb4JpJwWk34PTdczQL-1776120305-O/i-gC346mr.jpg Old Times at the Cardrona Hotel The old Cardrona Hotel on a beautiful day in the Crown Range outside of Queenstown. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-XM4khRm/0/D6h6Vd36dmCvXgfdZ2Nnq6SQxRcWr6SqGzmXKHSjZ-1776120305-O/i-XM4khRm.jpg Watercolour Wanaka Location: Wanaka, New Zealand Sunrise lighting up everything around Lake Wanaka -- the clouds, the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park, and the lake itself -- in a gorgeous pastel pink colour. It only lasted for a few minutes, but it was worth the early wakeup call (as well as standing knee-deep in freezing water to get the shot)! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-sJjV8XX/0/bw3QLKkXCNTMKpf3nJbhmGL4cCHhrCQ3D2JFMHx6-1776120305-O/i-sJjV8XX.jpg Lake Wanaka in Pink Sunrise on Boxing Day lit up the entirely of Lake Wanaka in pink. Definitely worth the early wakeup call on a public holiday! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-WGdTBwM/1/DjhXqdpCfJJNZCcWsqLgMDNzKFFV85Dx7hgdC7j6M-1776120305-O/i-WGdTBwM.jpg Oh, Christmas Tree... "That Wanaka Tree," Wanaka's most famous resident, standing tall above the water on Christmas Day, 2014. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-LR57QPV/0/CMNPFC7bXwLP3NwgXVBHBXVbdPL5J4hn38HLPMsPT-1776120305-O/i-LR57QPV.jpg Matukituki The gorgeous Matukituki River in Mount Aspiring National Park, as seen from the swing bridge for hikers heading into the eastern Matukituki Valley. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-GBSGcdM/0/DSzt9BMvKKhtktwFdzHHWQ4qbSq87F9ZKqhm5mXVJ-1776120305-O/i-GBSGcdM.jpg Cold Feet in the Matukituki All I can think of when I see this photo is how cold my feet were when I took it! I decided not to inundate my boots, so instead waded into the glacial Matukituki River barefoot. The pins and needles had me dancing on the bank for minutes afterward! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-m2sRpd8/0/ZRP3PFWKNp7QgckC2Jtvp3ZmQn923JqWZ2mBWdrV-1776120305-O/i-m2sRpd8.jpg Rob Roy in the Distance Cruising down the gravel road between Treble Cone and the Rob Roy Glacier in the Matukituki Valley. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-VdMRGwS/0/DWm2QzWk2wGQwCmSchS2VjtJwDTb8gq5M5FRX7NVR-1776120305-O/i-VdMRGwS.jpg The Sun Sets Over That Wanaka Tree It was no coincidence that the location I shot the most in Wanaka was the famous 'Wanaka tree' -- the lone tree that stands in the lake. Its trunk is covered by water for much of the year yet it's somehow survived, making a perfect foreground for the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park behind. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-fwGtpGf/0/xDL6xGL7h27qXT88ZdTrDJr2BLPgcZVgxzbjxbdQ-1776120305-O/i-fwGtpGf.jpg Barren Lindis Pass One of the things I love most about New Zealand is how quickly the landscape can change. While Mackenzie country is full of golden tussock, the mountains themselves are all rock and snow. In Lindis Pass, which traverses the mountains on the road between Tekapo and Wanaka, the tussock carpeted everything all the way to the peaks of the mountains. It made the whole area feel a bit desolate, yet starkly beautiful at the same time. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-WqgdF3H/0/DjPVHgDrtG9ZQK77T75t36g8vMtBnvVqFZGSBK7Cq-1776120305-O/i-WqgdF3H.jpg Shrouded Giant Since we didn't have any set plans for this day -- except for driving to our next apartment -- we took the long way around, meaning we took a random road we found up the east side of Lake Pukaki (the main road to Mount Cook goes up the west) and drove until we felt like turning around. We found plenty of isolated spots along the lake and only had to share them with a few other people. This view was my favourite, even if it meant climbing up a large boulder with a bunch of rather worried family members looking on! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-svh4jTV/0/DPNH3rvT7Ppzp7c5cVQFhFZd5frV8vSWNQXThGsWN-1776120305-O/i-svh4jTV.jpg The Good Shepherd...of the Aurora How amazing is this?! I'd hoped for auroras to appear during our time in Tekapo, since it's known as having one of the darkest skies in the world. We were lucky enough to have it two nights running (although we could only see it with the naked eye on one of those nights). I should have known the minute I got to the Church of the Good Shepherd that they could be seen with the camera, since there was a horde of photographers all facing south, which is probably not a normal occurrence at 11pm! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-mkB3JzN/0/CMhTTzXhvsXhgHFHh44mw5L9MNDGmjQzxkgXFMf9N-1776120305-O/i-mkB3JzN.jpg The Church of the Southern Lights What good luck is this?! Of our three nights in Lake Tekapo, we were treated to pink southern skies for two of them. The aurora may not have been visibly dancing, but it was most definitely there! If you'd like to capture a photo like this, why not come along on our Explore Capture Repeat tour next year? We can't guarantee auroras but if the southern lights are in the sky, we'll be out capturing them! Learn more at http://ecr.photo/nz. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-GSkgMbq/0/D8b8WFxkRznmRVLCxsqcjnvgkzsNgRpNX4qtc2xcv-1776120305-O/i-GSkgMbq.jpg Mount Cook Lilies Mount Cook with its namesake lily blooming in front of it. These lilies only bloom in November and December, and when they do, the whole valley seems to be dotted with white and gold. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-LgMWZFj/0/DWVGxTG8mWMrZk9XHXmHDCx3DW3W3NgvP96qBHBHm-1776120305-O/i-LgMWZFj.jpg Rush Hour at Mount Cook The Hooker River was definitely in a rush to get as far away as possible from Mount Cook, which stands imposing at the end of the Hooker Valley. For the first half of the Hooker Valley Track, Mount Cook was hidden behind the mountain to the right, but it finally came into view here and stood tall over us for the rest of our walk. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-J64jQpC/0/D6KgJ55FvRDHXRRvCZPrnDJjV37Dt7QZwt83FprSb-1776120305-O/i-J64jQpC.jpg Over the Swing Bridge We Go The Hooker Valley Track is one of the best half-day walks in New Zealand. Not only is it an easy, relatively even walk on a gravel path, but you get amazing views of the Southern Alps for your entire trip -- and that view constantly changes, sometimes including glacial lakes, other times including rushing river rapids, and most times including Mount Cook/Aoraki, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Read more about my experience on the track at http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/how-the-hooker-valley-track-nearly-killed-my-dad/. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Zpw4PMS/0/TNhbm7FfcDcVbGrgqpdbpDN3RZMJBtQJPcHJCzQh-1776120305-O/i-Zpw4PMS.jpg Mueller Crossing The Hooker Valley track was absolutely worth the walk. This was one of the first epic lookouts we reached, just before the first swing bridge. Around every corner there seemed to be yet another amazing view! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-z7rVKnq/0/nnbxkk2S5ftF4pRdZvDSxnPGzzdqgkW65FrwDp2G-1776120305-O/i-z7rVKnq.jpg High Clouds over the Hooker Valley Gorgeous wispy clouds floating high above Mount Cook and the Hooker Valley. The clouds here were crazy in the way they can only be in the mountains. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-jscZRXh/0/DbZnV2KFn5DTPctxtnwt7FsNr3m5crp8SWnSwF5p3-1776120305-O/i-jscZRXh.jpg The Cloud Piercer The formidable visage of Aoraki/Mount Cook, standing tall behind the brilliant blue waters of Lake Pukaki. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-vcMTS3F/0/CfsVw5PKjVzkCm9dLBSwWcPf6fV7cbnCPtN5RjDmR-1776120305-O/i-vcMTS3F.jpg Lake Pukaki: 100% Pure It's unbelievable how blue Lake Pukaki is from afar...but once you actually stand in the lake, as I was doing here, it's so clear it seems that you can see for miles underwater. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-884mPgM/0/pkz7Zn7HgjfPrWtRJX47hd7nXzLv3d8dPpSmJg4j-1776120305-O/i-884mPgM.jpg Earth & Sky Abuzz The area outside the cafe at the Mount John Observatory, situated above Lake Tekapo, was all abuzz late on the evening of December 21 last year. The clouds had cleared and had revealed a perfect Milky Way and plenty of stars to aim the small telescopes at. Want to learn more about what it's like to do a stargazing tour here with Earth & Sky? Check out my blog post at http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/stargazing-one-darkest-skies-world/. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-pNZktxP/0/FBBtrKgpDxz49gXKM62Cz3r4mCBLV4N38MCMfjfcc-1776120305-O/i-pNZktxP.jpg Tekapo's Watercolour Clouds When I saw that the clouds had broken, I took the car and drove in a direction I hadn't been before. This is what I found. What an awesome spot -- and unlike the rest of Tekapo, completely empty too! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-qwjq8gp/0/C9JftTDCz6pjPTS79mCd7z6hq66bxqKXjnRGBqxQD-1776120305-O/i-qwjq8gp.jpg A View to Wake Up To The insanely blue waters of Lake Tekapo and the mountains beyond. The lake gets its colour from suspended 'rock flour' ground up by the Godley Glacier that feeds the lake. This also happened to be the view we had out the bedroom window in our holiday house in Tekapo (although it should be noted that this was taken with a telephoto to avoid the houses on the other side of the road from us). https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-7cTh3Zb/0/DG5mXQWMb9qgBw7fZKKkZhBSWPQs7jc9TDXjjJBFF-1776120305-O/i-7cTh3Zb.jpg Cloudfall It was mesmerising watching the clouds from our holiday house in Tekapo. They rolled over the hills in patterns, sneaking down the valleys before they evaporated back into nothingness. It was like a waterfall made completely of clouds. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-FtpXWR9/0/S69P6fLgGPk2DVWTWWnR9w42gzD35WrhpFRzpBmm-1776120305-O/i-FtpXWR9.jpg The Hills are Alive with the Colour of Lupins Lupins are absolutely everywhere in Mackenzie Country in December, and I can't say I mind too much. I just had to make sure I picked and chose my spots so I wasn't constantly taking flower photos! This shot was captured on the hillside of Mount John just down from the observatory. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-JD7zCQZ/0/FbLXLKBQDMmG2cSCSSNTZpJnZGmc7hJqcxChkSjrs-1776120305-O/i-JD7zCQZ.jpg Tekapo in Pink and Blue The usual brilliant blue of Lake Tekapo briefly turns pink as the sunset lights up the heavy clouds. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-w8QQxSL/0/SdVPQKBtc5PLjCVxncqKdGGzD7dRsCcds97srksF-1776120305-O/i-w8QQxSL.jpg Lupins Lupins Everywhere The beautiful scene that greeted us in the Tekapo Domain after we ate dinner nearby. The lupins lined the lakeshore for as far as we could see, the clouds were perfect after a day of drizzly rain, and the lake was a perfect shade of blue. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-WRkGsFf/0/CjqRcgGMV2jv5mnw4Jj5H9SZFqbfDwLdKsxgZ4gMT-1776120305-O/i-WRkGsFf.jpg Lupins at the End of the Rainbow A rainbow appears over lupins blooming on Lake Tekapo's shore. A great way to end a bit of a rainy day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-ZdQq7H4/0/FFKtqSjHzwdjBvQpXKxgQnGRQBdTQwLkJ7tLRQc64-1776120305-O/i-ZdQq7H4.jpg A Church in a Field of Lupins The Church of the Good Shepherd, barely visible over a field of lupins on the shores of Lake Tekapo. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-PSchG9m/0/Dzq7xx2Rj4Gpk2tWVVg2c4Cj6WNDsQrDr8rMK5ZP6-1776120305-O/i-PSchG9m.jpg Dirt Roads and Painted Clouds The dirt and gravel of Hakatere Potts Rd stretching off into the Southern Alps of NZ's South Island. The clouds were just entrancing to watch as they swirled above. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-bP2g883/0/CKXRQWmdBJK5Pw92L7cZbjTLpZdKDMKsDpK5BN94c-1776120305-O/i-bP2g883.jpg Edoras or Erewhon? The brilliant hues of gorse light up an otherwise monochrome day at Erewhon Station in Canterbury. The hill in the middle of the valley is also known as Edoras, the village that the Rohirrim evacuate from to Helm's Deep in the second Lord of the Rings movie. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-P8cqMjS/0/D7d48VJvSDB7J75pRVWM5rr2ss7NZ4GR4XRGsLVrS-1776120305-O/i-P8cqMjS.jpg The Bridge Over the Rakaia This picture is a reminder to me that, if on holiday and offered the chance to 'take the scenic route,' you should always say yes. I got this shot of the Rakaia Gorge bridge, built in 1882, as I took the Inland Scenic Route from Tekapo back to Christchurch at the end of an amazing 9 days on the South Island. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-jR387mS/0/FcHSBHnVmZjgTt7QzHT8njwHzxL9CCXvq6FJgMKq6-1776120305-O/i-jR387mS.jpg Tramping Through Mackenzie Country So many of the highlights of Mackenzie Country packed into such a small area. The golden tussock, the hiking opportunities, and Mount Cook, lording it over it all... https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-dbn4mFG/1/tZXmHKgBXCpjCCZWQKNsZg8Fh8jVXmDmHFjjcL5w-1776120305-O/i-dbn4mFG.jpg Valley of Moraine The moraine-filled valley of the Tasman Glacier in the South Island's Mackenzie Country. It was hard to even comprehend how big the glacier, now starting many kilometers behind us, once was. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-SN7J3Fx/0/DtKNQphGfKs6jmJkxXVnTC8zvPpZXJNFQBr3w4393-1776120305-O/i-SN7J3Fx.jpg First Contact While we were boating on the Tasman Glacier Lake, we were lucky enough to see an iceberg roll over, revealing the gorgeous blue ice that had previously been hidden underwater. This was one of the few other boats that was in the area at the time -- its lucky passengers got to reach out and touch it! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-cFV88ZJ/0/D8hkMTvnhJx22SR3V4smhGVHBKg2bWDLJMHfTjp7B-1776120305-O/i-cFV88ZJ.jpg The Road to Flea Bay A bird's eye view of the Banks Peninsula bathed in golden afternoon light from the road over to Flea Bay. What a way to end an amazing day of wildlife watching on the peninsula! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-xpTrPfP/0/GtHs63fmC3nkZx5x9q4HGH4S9MTf67dWVrMsgwHZ-1776120305-O/i-xpTrPfP.jpg Akaroa Aglow The sun sets over the harbour at Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula. I seem to have been very lucky with sunsets there -- and the gorgeous setting definitely doesn't hurt either! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-LF8v7gZ/0/FXjzn8455CmRbH3bqXnJ6Vb5cwN9mT5LnLS7dw8Xc-1776120305-O/i-LF8v7gZ.jpg Bridge Over Untroubled Water Reflections captured on a perfectly still autumn day on Akaroa Harbour in Canterbury, NZ. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-m6N7jhN/0/pfjmBFk5PN4SHg9CfW7frDtQbfK8cXZw5SJKFFKQ-1776120305-O/i-m6N7jhN.jpg Mountainous Morning A gorgeous morning on the Kaikoura peninsula, looking back at the Pacific Ocean and the Seaward Kaikoura Range. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-m4zHxWd/0/JpgS2Nq2FrPx4phd57NN43qJbvJ2N5QptJDWwwhH-1776120305-O/i-m4zHxWd.jpg Perfect Way to Start the Day As soon as I saw this spot as I strolled around Kaikoura early in the morning on my third visit there, I knew it was the perfect place to start the day. If only I'd had a newspaper to sit down and read while I listened to the waves running through the black pebbles on the beach! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-HgG7kDb/1/Cj2tDtGtcNRtLxXKr8qRh5VsdfRQVb4X58NVNRM5m-1776120305-O/i-HgG7kDb.jpg Where the Mountains Meet the Sea In a country of absolutely stunning scenery, Kaikoura is a standout. The Seaward Kaikoura Range runs almost up to the Pacific Ocean itself, with only a fine barrier of black pebbles in between. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-2HWf9H5/1/T6JtZJMJBMmRcGkLqF5qns5V3ZHHMJJp54fXHtk8-1776120305-O/i-2HWf9H5.jpg Peninsula Ablaze The skies light up over the Kaikoura Peninsula in the South Island's Canterbury region. Seriously, everything about NZ is gorgeous! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-sHjw5wv/0/D9vW8DP5Kvnx8mdDz4ZBNkVHcV4Mrg29wd2WMZrHz-1776120305-O/i-sHjw5wv.jpg Floating in the Clouds One of my favourite shots from a helicopter ride up Franz Josef Glacier and around the Southern Alps. Mighty Aoraki/Mount Cook looks impressive no matter whether you're floating in the clouds or firmly rooted on the ground! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-DKvVCGv/0/D4qp2RwtsjfbncdD7nRsrJ5nSm6b6nzRCHPtmHQP7-1776120305-O/i-DKvVCGv.jpg Milford Sound in Monochrome It’s hard to put the feeling of being in Milford Sound into words. It all seemed so much larger than life; the mountains, the waterfalls, and the sky all made me feel so minuscule…but in the most jaw-dropping way possible. I was lucky enough to be there during a summer that had been extremely dry, which meant I’d had perfect blue skies for my entire trek down the Milford Track and into the Sound itself. However, that also meant that I didn’t get to see the walls of the fiord turn into a myriad of waterfalls or see the clouds creeping slowly up the sound. I was okay with that though, because, well, how could I not be with this view? Read more at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/milford-sound-in-monochrome/ https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-4LMdKgP/0/smCHRnxtQJRtS9vWDfFHMz3HnPWxXCTnWwGtx8nw-1776120305-O/i-4LMdKgP.jpg Underneath Sutherland Falls https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-ksvWPr3/0/DZxpRd2FhtNgXzQwnzvSw4c6sQffbt6tthTjkKzjR-1776120305-O/i-ksvWPr3.jpg On Mackinnon Pass The stunning view looking back towards the Clinton Valley from Mackinnon Pass. I was so lucky to have perfect weather for my entire 4 days on the Milford Track. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-GNNgkfn/0/CJSdVbc92NM4vGvtXBm3r2WS82VQWb4fKbxDnPGbd-1776120305-O/i-GNNgkfn.jpg Misty Morning at Welcome Flat When we woke up on our second morning at Welcome Flat, we were stunned to see this. The clouds were finally clearing after a day of heavy rain that had kept us huddled in the hut. The only downside was it meant we had to leave the hut, which had its own natural hot pools, and hike 17km back to reality! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-4W35GSd/1/DFN5xzkHvWPz5qNVmFh3q6gNk89pHQz2MDR6LqjJS-1776120305-O/i-4W35GSd.jpg Lake Matheson Dreaming An early morning 6km ride from Fox Glacier was well worth it to beat the crowds and get this perfect reflection of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Who would have thought this area gets 4m of rain a year and is normally under heavy clouds? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Vd5sSkL/0/D7f5CSXzqrCxHGb4bGpQwq5LJC9p6cQS6KpM2DTqq-1776120305-O/i-Vd5sSkL.jpg Through the Fronds This shot is one of my favorites from the Queen Charlotte Track in New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds. The walk covers 71km along Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. This was the first lookout on the track after leaving Ship Cove, and while it wasn't the hardest to reach, it was certainly one that stuck in my mind because it was the first aerial view I got of the spectacular landscape I was hiking through! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Vj9MJLZ/0/Dfqjm6NrNcSvS98cVSJqPZpQ34Gg9bL83x4gm83v2-1776120305-O/i-Vj9MJLZ.jpg Descending into Paradise I got this shot after a climb up a small hill on the Kaikoura Peninsula that was a little harder than I expected. I ended up having to hold on to the fence to pull myself up the steep path because otherwise, for every step I took, I slid back the equivalent of two steps on the loose, parched soil. However, as you can see, the view at the top was definitely worth it! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-MVKH6JH/1/CkCnwSt3FwbqxjnsNSzZ8j7XsGM2Vb5LJBNHWTT8B-1776120305-O/i-MVKH6JH.jpg Harbour on Fire I spent pretty much my entire first trip to Akaroa being astounded by the beauty. I spent my entire day just wandering the shoreline, and after dinner I snuck out of a game of Scrabble at my hostel to be greeted by this beauty. Taken in 2008 using my Panasonic FZ18 -- and how I wish I hadn't cut off that lightpole! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-kCzdqm6/0/mM3kntTRkfffhKcrhsPMCr9L2qhr5XDwCxS7cTZ5-1776120306-O/i-kCzdqm6.jpg The Fjord's Autumn Moods Autumn clouds stretch in bands across the sky above Ersfjordbotn in Norway's Arctic north. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FGLdnhw/0/DFLwtsCQVdZzdVjZXX5S3qZGD5VtqJ3h78SxJTHRC-1776120306-O/i-FGLdnhw.jpg The Calm Waters of the North On two previous trips to Tromsø, I had never made it to Ersfjordbotn, despite it being at the top of my "must see" list. I finally made it there during my trip this past September, and just...wow. It was even better than I imagined. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-fXfhJDZ/0/DZgC4r96VrNZ7Sv46Qsmks4jgdSkzt5B3gkZkwjG8-1776120306-O/i-fXfhJDZ.jpg Arctic Moonrise On our first night in the Tromsø area, we had a spectacular seat right on the water for watching the moon rise over the island of Tromsøya. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-K9Cr96R/0/FRKNKFqpFB9vvTw4BH8D5hhtppD8dLdFNH4cPx8NW-1776120306-O/i-K9Cr96R.jpg Morning at the End of Lofoten Later in the day, these clouds would be my bane as they sunk down and obscured the mountains completely. However, as I packed up to leave Å, the town at the end of the Lofoten Islands, they made for a beautiful sight. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-84L6QVZ/0/Dpkv66ktLq4BBPbjjNQF27fVPNXMgCVfQ9bbwTznm-1776120306-O/i-84L6QVZ.jpg Reine in Bloom Flowers and greenery: two things you don't see in Reine in winter! This visit was a very different one to my previous two, and it was interesting to see the area in such a different light! This image and many more will be featured in my upcoming "Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer." If you'd like to learn more, head over to http://www.lapland.travel. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-jvDtNTQ/0/MjxBXdF8rHjjGSsdhsKbSdNKrWh44rf4Fp2BqtH6-1776120306-O/i-jvDtNTQ.jpg Reine's Changing of the Seasons Six months ago, I stood on the Hamnøya bridge in Norway's Lofoten Islands watching the entire world light up in pink as the sun peeked over the horizon at 11am. 11am in summer couldn't be more different! The dominant colours were blue and green and everywhere around there was the buzz of activity, whether it was the never-ending stream of cars across the bridge or the boats crossing underneath the bridge below. Some things stayed constant though -- the mountains, the rorbuer, and somehow, my location on the bridge so I could get the same composition in two photos six months apart. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-pRVxd4v/0/Dq7hx8Gzk57pLvH9VZjGvfBmXc4ZSGFgpfnGMxJbV-1776120306-O/i-pRVxd4v.jpg Perched in the Narrow Fjord Nusfjord Rorbuer -- old fishermen's cabins that have now been turned into vacation houses -- sitting above the waters of the narrow fjord of Nusfjord in the Lofoten Islands. On a great day like this one, this spot is just perfect. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-RJSvcdm/0/FXQ7R8MbCWd9BhrZwVqTg6Q7R4F3rPqcdWrNqQKwm-1776120306-O/i-RJSvcdm.jpg Rorbuer Relaxation Morning in Nusfjord -- the lapping of the waves against the rocks, the cawing of seagulls, the absence of vehicles and busloads of visitors. It's a wonderful place to wake up and start the day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-bxZJjNv/0/HTj6pczzmV7rLNLgBDxGC8jTbnnzL3Hkhp5WV4Zt-1776120306-O/i-bxZJjNv.jpg Not Jurassic Park The cliffs of Andøya are incredibly impressive, and are made even moreso by the clouds streaming down over their tops. It definitely reminded me of a scene out of Jurassic Park! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-z5vctR6/0/JXT9f9mZDWZgfpd2GM9TbxLZwH22vv9ffc2RPs5j-1776120306-O/i-z5vctR6.jpg Not Quite Tropical, But Still Paradise I found this beach while driving through Lødingen in the Vesterålen Islands. In Northern Norway. In the Arctic Circle. How is this not a tropical paradise? Actually, I think the answer may be in the temperature of the water. Brr! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-tDdWKfh/0/2TskWcH5jnsTHbb3vNj6L8XmqHjCPSMnwWMvhJLp-1776120306-O/i-tDdWKfh.jpg The Orange Glow of a Late-Night Roadtrip The sky glows orange with the midnight sun over the Tjeldsund Bridge that links the mainland with the islands of Vesterålen and Lofoten. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-bpMKkKT/0/D3PzvjGRsLpqRWN5HbtcmKNSzC5265mmZV3pCQR3r-1776120306-O/i-bpMKkKT.jpg Field of Meringue Huge waterfall in Northern Norway (Malselvfoss, to be exact) or a giant field of fluffy meringue? You decide! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-pM7f3BS/0/CNQhghKT5B5KhTVcFGKzc3nw2gXxttgNfsrx6CK8q-1776120306-O/i-pM7f3BS.jpg Late Night Lyngenfjord The midnight sun shining over Lyngenfjord around 1am. It slowly worked its way behind the mountains, lighting up the clouds above them, until it finally peeked out and continued tracing its never-ending circles around the sky. Having gone for a long hike during the day, I was tempted to go to bed, but I am so glad I stayed up to see this...especially since I could see this from the living room of my rented house! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-wcw4hHq/0/CJ8BTm2VZ9p79kgvC7HQwC99z47hZFx6TqKWxShtC-1776120306-O/i-wcw4hHq.jpg On Strupen Plateau A waterfall of water from a nearby glacier crashes down the rocks of Strupen Plateau in the Lyngen Alps. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-GnRzDfF/0/HTrgTmFW79vVZZLc8dG7fTXm6jHPDcz4Rdnthd6c-1776120306-O/i-GnRzDfF.jpg A Fjord or a Glacier Lake? Is this a fjord or a glacier lake? It could easily be mistaken for the crystal clear waters of a glacier-fed lake like Lake Pukaki in New Zealand, but it's actually Lyngenfjord in Northern Norway. The incredible blue colour comes from the outflow from Strupen Glacier into the bay behind. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-JCpDjqS/0/DNkCp4vKPgncsNQ8gsP6djX2Jphc3H9pQwn5RRd72-1776120306-O/i-JCpDjqS.jpg Under the Bridge and Through the Rocks Everywhere you look in the fjords of northern Norway, there seems to be another waterfall. I've had to pass so many of them because I know I'll never get anywhere otherwise, but this one, with such a photogenic old stone bridge spanning it, was unmissable. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-KLWJ5Cc/0/DQFVTTwh97M3z8tcGXbPJhv8L6mkPwtLNCvFrDQK9-1776120306-O/i-KLWJ5Cc.jpg Fiery Sky, Snowy Mountains Fog begins to build up in the mountains surrounding Tromsø. As I stood at the top of the Fjellheisen cable car, I could see these mountains go from golden to shrouded in fog in a matter of minutes. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zk5kFx8/0/9qvcpmkqqkkB32bG2NxkmXTDTmHwrnh3WGhsHbn4-1776120306-O/i-zk5kFx8.jpg Polarlys Under Midnatsol The MS Polarlys, part of the Hurtigruten fleet that travels up and down the coast of Norway daily, pulls into Tromsø under the midnight sun at around 12.30am. I captured this from the top of the Fjellheisen cable car, which conveniently runs until 1am in summer. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-XrTzXJG/1/rSVB6tW9KB2xBTWGXK8GWvfdSSMZhk8CWSTTnT2h-1776120306-O/i-XrTzXJG.jpg Basking in Summer's Glow The mountains around Tromsø basking in the glow of the 'midnight sun' (it was actually around 10pm, but I think that's close enough). Captured from the beach at Folkeparken -- it's a great place for views of mountains in almost every direction, yet still so close to the centre of the city! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-wWMcTc9/0/PTtkXd7fFSGPPfTXVZmDNjNhKKLkGxQFrb5x6KD2-1776120306-O/i-wWMcTc9.jpg A Beach at 70ºN There's a reason drives around Norway take so long. Yes, it could have something to do with the winding roads that dangle a speed limit in front of you as an unattainable goal, and maybe a little to do with doddering caravans too. But I think a lot of it has to do with stunning scenes like this, found between Olderfjord and Repvåg on the road to Nordkapp. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FPHRT2q/0/DwwFSNCf8WZrKjmGGvg6vmvNbGZBD66CFmzpZ5gCn-1776120306-O/i-FPHRT2q.jpg Summer Nights at Nordkapp The clouds light up with the midnight sun at North Cape (Nordkapp), which at 71ºN is the northernmost point in continental Europe (if you ignore the slightly-less-dramatic peninsula of Knivskjelodden nearby). I was so lucky to be able to see this after two days of heavy cloud and rain on the island of Magerøya. The sun broke through the clouds for no more than 20 minutes, and I was driving for more than 10 minutes of that. When I finally got there, I had to sprint to one of the lookout points to get a shot before everything turned grey again! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zmkHzFN/0/DCbJMmwr4K2hL7ZRPVdcSC2m4PXmsh7ttqKx88GgX-1776120306-O/i-zmkHzFN.jpg Northern Lights in Hiding We got very excited on the last night of our recent trip to Lofoten because it looked like everything was coming together. The sky was clear, the northern horizon was starting to glow green...and then this happened. Luckily we got a few beams before the clouds completely covered them up again! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-L8DLpJh/0/KbQ7RTxqVmRGKjSKF44hkK9PX9FmmWKgjHLPFV6X-1776120306-O/i-L8DLpJh.jpg Sørvågen Sunset The sun sitting on the horizon, as it seemed to do for over two hours on this short winter's day in Lofoten. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-9Ck4nTJ/0/ppCzhNHdfCWBwXHGbvxGchk9CJcqm4X8R5ZPkxRJ-1776120306-O/i-9Ck4nTJ.jpg Sunrise Becomes Sunset After shooting the sunrise in Reine, we had about an hour of sunset light before the sun disappeared below the horizon again. We decided to head towards Å at the very southern end of the islands to see what we could find. What we found was this amazing view in Sørvågen, a village a few kilometers away from Å. The snowfall from the night before was untouched and the light couldn't have been any better! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-GqQSfjc/0/CtWjcR7QnzHRvh49wn5hHz76wgbpTX3hxDb7m3P5X-1776120306-O/i-GqQSfjc.jpg The Land of the Setting Sun I reckon this cabin has one of the best views in Lofoten in January, when the sun sits just over the horizon for hours at a time. The sun had been up for just less than 2 hours when I captured this scene. 15 minutes later, it was gone for the day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-xxJrnWb/0/6DtpJK9WVKC8FVG3579NhPx4KWRRBBLLw7fm8CVX-1776120306-O/i-xxJrnWb.jpg Arctic Noon in Pink and Gold Morning light lights up Hamnøya and Reine in brilliant pink around noon on a January morning in the Arctic. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zVgQNdj/0/DfGQqDCc98bQHgZ6K7ws6QMfnmmkFr8mDBGtV4T42-1776120306-O/i-zVgQNdj.jpg Stockfish Sunrise The first of the stockfish for the cod fishing season hanging in front of a January sunrise at noon in Hamnøya. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-P4KzwMf/0/D2cBLQRkjR8Q6nCMLL4RVDz3ZxwfB3L3scQbhwKXk-1776120306-O/i-P4KzwMf.jpg Fresh Light, Not So Fresh Fish We got so lucky with the light on our second morning in Reine. Not only did we get 2 hours of continuous sunrise/sunset, but we got it in one of the most stunning places in the world. I considered it especially lucky that I was wandering around only to be assaulted by the smell of drying fish. And why's that lucky? Well, fishing and drying stockfish is one of the main lifebloods of the Lofoten Islands, but I didn't think we'd actually see any evidence of it on this trip as it was too early in the year. Apparently, this fisherman started his season early! I know this rack looks empty, but if you squint to the left you'll see the hanging fish on the next rack over. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NXbnsB4/0/hL4hqNTz2S74pCJ8MKHd77wRNxTjvzrS4f23TMPd-1776120306-O/i-NXbnsB4.jpg January Morning in Pink Olstind Mountain aglow in the pink of a January sunrise in the Arctic. The sun hardly got over the horizon, but for the two hours that it sat there, it turned everything an otherworldly pink colour. It really was a sight to see. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-DTdFS4J/0/TfpDshcn7ZQ9wTrNc384kWkhqLjS6WdsW9HCNLB6-1776120306-O/i-DTdFS4J.jpg The Glow of an Arctic Dawn...at Noon Location: Hamnøya, Lofoten Islands, Norway Wow. What else can I say to describe what it was like to be in Reine on this winter morning? After a few mornings of cloud, it finally cleared and we were treated to two continuous hours of sunset, with beautiful oranges and yellows to the south and pinks to the north. Just stunning. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-dpfqKbh/0/CCxRVnq36kKJwWWNG9vJPKkfxLxVRd3cMSs3WBbcG-1776120306-O/i-dpfqKbh.jpg Pink Dawn over the Swirling Sea The sea crashes onto the rocks of the island of Hamnøya in the village of Reine. This was sunrise on my second-to-last morning in the islands, and it was by far the most memorable day of our trip. For two hours, the sun sat just above the horizon to the south and lit up the entire fjord in pink. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-bvtvdfQ/0/Cgg5ghKzb48jmP3ZMKfd3jmhrZg5pZ5bmT4BdKZTp-1776120306-O/i-bvtvdfQ.jpg The Blue Days of Winter 9.30am on a January morning in the Arctic Circle. Reine was an unreal place to visit in mid-winter, and the light made this village -- one of the most beautiful in the world already -- even more gorgeous. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-gdBh93X/1/Z7tfhrgGWBqx6dP9QkLNHCD6JRSDmh7rW6CjZGhC-1776120306-O/i-gdBh93X.jpg Reine in Royal Blue Reine turns a gorgeous blue colour as dawn slowly comes to Northern Norway in winter. The lights of the town have yet to turn off -- after all, why would they need to? It was only 9am! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Lph6fBh/0/DQ68ggxzVxQ88HRh6wr939wc4JDxJPV4rJMxpHN4L-1776120306-O/i-Lph6fBh.jpg Blue Hour in Reine The gorgeous village of Reine, bathed in the blue of winter twilight. This image was captured around 9.15am; the sun wouldn't peek above the horizon until 11am. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-vjdfV2r/0/qg3mr4WpW54j562KgPtqC9MschvrB7KpdDBXfFsF-1776120306-O/i-vjdfV2r.jpg All's Quiet in the Western Fjord Reflections of the mountains surrounding Reinefjord, seen in the little harbour near the Statoil Station. Reine Rorbuer can be seen on the left side of the harbour. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NbGSfPW/0/Dp6GBd3g74RRHmQB6tzRF9b5qTC9bzmKPCcxHh88d-1776120306-O/i-NbGSfPW.jpg A Hint of the Aurora A tantalising hint of the aurora behind the clouds on Flakstadøya in the Lofoten Islands. Unfortunately these clouds were an ever-present part of our trip there so this was just about the closest we got to seeing the aurora. That said, there's no way we could complain, because Lofoten in January is one of the most stunning places in the world. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Mm6Ghqz/0/FBxhnDrNWHj6w4Wk2Lc9Pm8kqGRGXZzbJn2C6X5vT-1776120306-O/i-Mm6Ghqz.jpg Rocky Lofoten Sunset Barely two hours after the sun had risen on our first day in the Lofoten Islands in January, it started to dip back below the horizon. We stopped at a rocky beach on the side of the E10 (the main road through the islands) to capture this scene. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-mHk8PZ2/0/CGT92GcXLLBzJhcXFPRsLvD9nxt47FTJ9tPZDJDn6-1776120306-O/i-mHk8PZ2.jpg Driving into the Dawn Our first morning in the Lofoten Islands also coincided with the first morning they had seen the sun peek over the horizon since the early days of December. With colours like this in the sky, we couldn't help but to pull over on our drive out of Henningsvær and capture the scene. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-4mHpGNJ/0/DRZCQtFFxFZ8QjSxrXCSp5LF336DDqGKNZ2ScGKJq-1776120306-O/i-4mHpGNJ.jpg On Golden Fronds The main thing that drew us to this scene as we drove down the E10 into the Lofoten Islands was the sheer calm of the fjord's water beside us. We never saw a body of water this calm again for the rest of our trip! This was my last shot of the evening, and I was a bit sad when a car drove past and lit up the foreground...but it actually added a nice golden touch to the few surviving plants there. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zkdBDM5/0/DfFqGpdjm6v5VsskbqqS5nhmgTJgRkfXdXNfvbnXX-1776120306-O/i-zkdBDM5.jpg A Fjord Looks Into a Mirror You wouldn't have thought you'd see much when you arrive late at night in the Arctic Circle -- but you'd be wrong! Even in the pitch black that coats the islands for most hours in early January, the scenery around us as we drove south into the islands was stunning -- so much so that we had to pull over and see what we could capture. We were both pretty happy with what we got! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-TNHbt5C/0/CFGS7tTLqQJSXDzpXbrx8ssZjHkBCXn2Fzbd4P5Jm-1776120306-O/i-TNHbt5C.jpg On Top of the World The giant globe statue that stands at North Cape (Nordkapp), the northernmost point in mainland Europe (we'll just ignore the fact that it's on an island). It was a stormy day -- not unusual for the area in the winter -- which made for some very interesting skies. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-RmLqX9Q/0/Pkr2fwcMwd7DKhJfSRhx9V6phjZdrK26ZbqvSGsz-1776120306-O/i-RmLqX9Q.jpg Winter in Magerøya The island of Magerøya in Norway's Arctic north is an interesting place to visit in winter, especially because it's so far north (at 71º north) that it has no trees on the entire island -- meaning it often turns into a sea of white, especially when storms like the one on the horizon roll in! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-xPvnH2q/0/C7ZjqFPX7xvfPGT2p57fxZJM7DFgrPkXvdfVdF4bt-1776120306-O/i-xPvnH2q.jpg The Stormy Barents Sea An island appears against the gloom of an approaching winter storm in the Barents Sea, as seen from the Hurtigruten heading east from Tromsø. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-KhxMHgC/1/D2dQr636CMrNjPLz98tGkmdGxpQdtjXf3rbDXdw8g-1776120306-O/i-KhxMHgC.jpg Gorgeous Camp Tamok Even though I'd seen the peaks of the Lyngen Alps surrounding me as I watched the northern lights the night before, I wasn't prepared for the sheer beauty that greeted me as I stepped out of my tent just after sunrise. As I wandered around Camp Tamok taking photos of the gorgeous scenery, all of the dogs in the foreground were hooked up to their sleds and were raring to go for their morning sled trip. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-dQd7XPL/0/DxBdq8p2PdMjFntnx6vhsvw8hK6TrrGgkQ26s2HQz-1776120306-O/i-dQd7XPL.jpg Good Morning, Lyngen Alps! Since I'd arrived at Camp Tamok under cover of darkness, this was my first glimpse of the little cluster of cabins and Sami tents in the Lyngen Alps during daylight. What a view it was!The tent in the foreground holds special significance for me since it's where I spent the night (even though it was -20C outside!). The fire in the middle of the tent did its job though, as you can tell from all the icicles of snow that melted off the canvas. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-TrR6pNd/0/FGZtTDgqQbSS5mW39RgjhqkfSHp8CdWtsSmgCwDn6-1776120306-O/i-TrR6pNd.jpg A Sauna With a View In the cold of an Arctic winter, I couldn't think of many better things than a sauna with a view like this one! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FZhfht7/0/D6fWVTLNLcB2LpDqHLw27pq4BWLtqpJ2rzm84pjmP-1776120306-O/i-FZhfht7.jpg Green Skies Over Camp Tamok After eight nights (spread across two trips) of scanning the skies patiently for any speck of green, I finally saw the skies over Camp Tamok light up with the northern lights! It was an amazing experience and one that I nearly missed taking a photo of because I was so transfixed. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-v9cLgPF/0/6PbfB68c9GtpgdndXJBq4dm95K8WmP4nP7tH7wzB-1776120306-O/i-v9cLgPF.jpg The Paris of the North So Tromsø didn't really remind me of Paris (at least, the Paris I've seen in photos), and I feel like if there was this much snow over Paris the French would have some serious problems. That doesn't mean it wasn't a gorgeous town though. I loved the colourful buildings against the backdrop of the harbour and mountains beyond. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Zcnv6JG/1/DvsDxBrLwfbGxd6GqX2G5F2xj95VQHddd5zd9H5Dz-1776120306-O/i-Zcnv6JG.jpg The Snowy Road to Kabelvåg What to do on a snowy afternoon when you've missed the other activity you planned? Hike up the side of a fjord through the snow! This was the view from the top of my walk from Svolvær in Norway's Lofoten Islands, looking out towards Kabelvåg and the Norwegian Sea beyond. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-cNPW4Rf/0/4TVqdSM7XbP8qs2Pb4BSzBn8L6Jcg6jsD9MJnbtV-1776120306-O/i-cNPW4Rf.jpg The Epic Coastline of Lofoten Seriously, what place has a more epic coastline than this? Fjords and mountains as far as the eye can see. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Ws5trtd/0/ZHmKp79SGHGfBzmzg3MvNQzGvnDsPzS3jrfkMNFv-1776120306-O/i-Ws5trtd.jpg Reflections Amongst the Ice The mountains of Svolvær, in Norway's Lofoten Islands, reflected in the icy cold water of the fjord on a clear March day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-qxnDmDP/0/Dwx9GXCDVZD5wftS3QFG2BVsLrZ8cg7vhr5N8Hgng-1776120306-O/i-qxnDmDP.jpg Icy Arctic Reflections Reflections of the outskirts of the town of Svolvær. Taken on a late winter afternoon under the threat of a winter storm. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NPcmWd2/0/FfTphKjgvhQxrMSwgj6csPFmb4LSjMndnvh87HBdN-1776120306-O/i-NPcmWd2.jpg Crystal Clear Svinøya Sometimes it's best just to forego organised activities and go for a wander in a new place. That's what I did in Svinøya, and not only did I get to talk to locals about the upcoming World Cod Fishing Championships, but I also got to see plenty of views like this one! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Hr8DGR5/0/FfDKxm7MCBx52qrPnVGq7bnN4X4K4rS7StvD8CrKd-1776120306-O/i-Hr8DGR5.jpg A Goat, an Island, a Fjord Location: Svinøya Island, Svolvær, Lofoten Islands, Norway My favourite part of my visit to Svolvær was my wander along Svinøya Island, where I saw (and smelled) plenty of stockfish racks, talked to locals out walking their dogs, and saw amazing scenes like this one. It was interesting how I could take multiple photos from the same spot and get some with perfect blue water and others where the water colour was hardly evident at all because of the strong reflections. As for the goat in the title? The bit of rock sticking up out of the mountains near the middle of the shot is the Svolværgeita, or the 'goat of Svolvær.' https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-c8Hf62r/0/DZR4pJ9kLtMpQx2mVNGn8DvsTmFQsJ9ht2j54fV9n-1776120306-O/i-c8Hf62r.jpg The Vivid Colours of Norway The vivid colors of Norway and the Arctic Circle. The houses really pop against the otherwise white landscape. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-N7pdhP4/0/DhQSnwP2bG8wZwRmfbnSpwWtwLPrXCDBQS4LxdH3h-1776120306-O/i-N7pdhP4.jpg The Smell of Money in the Morning Winter in the Lofoten Islands can be an assault on the nose with all of the cod hanging out to dry around the fishing villages...but the locals don't mind because it's the "smell of money." I loved the wintery light I had during my walk around the island of Svinøya; the clouds over the sun made the already weak sun even more golden. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-5HmpDWr/0/DSCv6rPFxXh9Cvkk2ZqSXd3PnfmH9GkGxtB5X5ngw-1776120306-O/i-5HmpDWr.jpg Golden Morning in Svolvær I couldn't get over how gorgeous the light was all day in the Arctic. This photo looks like a sunrise over the myriad islands and fjords of the Lofoten Islands -- but it was actually taken at 10am! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-V5QxQbm/2/DSx5xzVCZ7JL7k9gh2QNsVWwnH5bWhmWcc6SrJJ9v-1776120306-O/i-V5QxQbm.jpg Silence in Svinøya I set out to walk the length of Svinøya Island in Svolvær to see some stockfish (cod that spend all winter drying on racks around the Lofoten Islands) up close and personal. While I was successful in this mission, I was also saw some absolutely stunning views of the fjord surrounding Lofoten's capital as well.

In the centre on the mountain side is the formation called "Svolværgeita," or the goat of Svolvær. In the summer you can climb to the top of it and stand in the goat's horns! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-MKSzjCJ/1/3Dv99VrJRbtfGhVDDv8j6NFVQVBJLpN6JSWkm8vv-1776120306-O/i-MKSzjCJ.jpg The Lone Fisherman A lone fisherman heads out to sea on a gorgeous morning in Svolvær. Maybe he was training for the World Cod Fishing Championships the next weekend? https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NM53zsN/0/DTTPg5BbxDhvpfZj3ZHDjWZqwR8f9tmGHdDW6k2N-1776120306-O/i-NM53zsN.jpg The Perfect "Little" Fishing Village This scene looks, at first glance, like it could have been taken in one of the many small fishing villages that dot the coastline of Lofoten. In actual fact, it was captured on the island of Svinøya in the middle of Lofoten's capital city of Svolvær! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FGcHt8T/1/CsMjRHs7w7tMB9Lmgfq2m5QkXjXL8X5R8CmQBj9Dv-1776120306-O/i-FGcHt8T.jpg Svinøya, Right Out of a Painting One of my favourite scenes from Svolvær, the 'capital' of the Lofoten Islands that absolutely blew me away. I think I could have spent my entire trip in Lofoten -- stockfish stink and all! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-4QfGxQ7/0/QgG33XJNCZLVBxbHLQvQGHr9w4cH7W8W3Jc84MLc-1776120306-O/i-4QfGxQ7.jpg Everlasting Golden Hour I couldn't believe the light in the Arctic in early March. It seemed like golden hour went on for 2-3 hours after sunrise, and then it started all over again before sunset. It's a photographer's dream! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-HxxK4KG/0/DcqzJwdTmWCncb57XrKLkWvSmWZr3g4JVfWbd8tpq-1776120306-O/i-HxxK4KG.jpg Bright Spots in the Gloom I love the colourful houses that I saw throughout Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The most common colour is red, particularly in the Lofoten Islands where most of the rorbuer, or old fishermen's cabins, are painted this colour. They provide lovely spots of colour in the winter months when everything else is covered in a thick coat of white! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-CCwrS99/0/HBxzHgLX2XdS3gPKnXmsLx7ZcGpdBHXfbdS77CPF-1776120306-O/i-CCwrS99.jpg The Sound of Seagulls All I can hear when I look at this photo is the raucous din of Reine's ever-present seagulls, seen just to the right of the dock as they swoop and play just above the near-freezing waters of the fjord. This was such a change from the day before, when clear blue skies and golden light filled the fjord, but it was still a stunning scene. Even as the snow moved back in and completely blocked my view of the mountains, I wondered why I had to leave. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-GmwSBjG/0/kC3jddFhWwshP84cSStnbhX496BZBDbfMQVJLzF8-1776120306-O/i-GmwSBjG.jpg A Moody Reflection of Reine I couldn't get over just how spectacular Reine really was, even when the dark, moody clouds made their way up the fjord. I'd be interested to know if anyone actually uses that dock (and another platform further out in the water) for swimming though -- after having been out in the water this morning, there is no way I'd go near it without a drysuit! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-cRwMWCW/0/Cz5pdQrS2T3cPKHbvrFwjGWw24L8N32xqptXmFh9g-1776120306-O/i-cRwMWCW.jpg Little Church in the Valley The beautiful clear skies of the morning gave way to moody clouds in the afternoon, which gave the gorgeous setting of Reine a completely different feel. I thought it worked particularly well for the beautiful little church in the town. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-MCvpsVM/0/C7fsJ64GNftn2N9vpDpLjTRXw7B4P4HcMSWNj3SBG-1776120306-O/i-MCvpsVM.jpg Breaking the Ice in Reine We had a stunning view of Reinefjord as our snorkelling boat broke through the ice in the harbour and then headed out to sea. And yes, I went snorkeling in winter in the Arctic Circle! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-VVNGH34/0/CG6RkJqWZtF7RsWvsgn3t8mv3xqhk7n2PXZh4vmX5-1776120306-O/i-VVNGH34.jpg Footprints & Stockfish Racks My footprints were the only ones wandering in between the rorbuer and underneath the empty stockfish drying racks on this morning in early March. I'm happy they were empty -- it made the air a bit easier to breathe! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Xk7N9CS/0/FbnVTkgrgxsntkHJHMHZDndWvP9PjfRmNmQtV3Lht-1776120306-O/i-Xk7N9CS.jpg A Crisp Day for a Dip I'm sure that jetty is used by laughing children diving into the water in summer. On this day in early March, it was eerily quiet. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-7Rm92zj/0/D7v2tT3CVTj6KsKTNMhhd9DRhbtNrrWk4ZwD3BbG4-1776120306-O/i-7Rm92zj.jpg Seagulls in Waiting A few lone seagulls, stragglers from the massive squawking group chasing the fishermen out to sea that morning, waiting for the afternoon's catch and a possible feed at the docks of Reinefjord. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-nzCvvsT/0/CQFx3ckzgdCxSXN24cvHsThgS49wqKpdrrmM42SGS-1776120306-O/i-nzCvvsT.jpg A Bridge in Lofoten. Who'da Thunk It? One of the many bridges of Reine -- this one stretching between Hamnøya and Little Toppøya. We saw this scene as we headed back towards the fjord for our third, and final, snorkelling spot. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-pLDjKD8/0/FBnHQJmdCVpX3MdpFNWV6qpxx6QGLGCGZM35xp43w-1776120306-O/i-pLDjKD8.jpg The Frosted Mountains of Lofoten The coastline of the Lofoten Islands, as seen from the RIB boat that took me out snorkelling, could not have been more spectacular if it tried. The snowy frosting on top of the mountains just served to make it even more beautiful. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-W44mcmX/0/Dz2gz4BmcNp2sxxzFFjbfL5fRJDD49MRCztjb99Bh-1776120306-O/i-W44mcmX.jpg A Cold Cruise Along the Coastline The amazing view of all the mountains that surround Reinefjord in Norway's Lofoten Islands, as seen from the RIB boat that was taking me out for a quick winter snorkeling trip. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-2L8sf2P/0/zCZtfTCssFKBMkNrv8zkr2RW2xzWw6WbCt8zD3CH-1776120306-O/i-2L8sf2P.jpg The Bridge to Hamnøya The day before's snow clings on to the RIB boat taking me out of Reinefjord and towards my first snorkelling spot of the day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-CMMQbfp/0/8XLdzFzH7SwppzMjCjGQKWHw86TkFjXRXbLCt5rQ-1776120306-O/i-CMMQbfp.jpg Reflections of my (Temporary) Home From the RIB boat that was taking me out for a winter snorkeling trip, I could see perfect reflections of the rorbuer that I called my home for two nights. I love how their red stands out against the natural blues and whites of the fjord. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-f7z62pC/1/DthN7SxPvfhhW3TG5mwH8CRrh32hn2bWQT8rXC3K-1776120306-O/i-f7z62pC.jpg Olstind Reflected Olstind Mountain stands high above the town of Reine in the Lofoten Islands. From any angle, it is impressive, but in the RIB boat where I had a perfect view of the reflection on the calm waters, it was absolutely stunning. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-pGhC26Z/0/FfTQpF4HDR49VmbcB92NMkNMF8PtZJwLVL6c3mf5c-1776120306-O/i-pGhC26Z.jpg Magical Lofoten No matter what angle you have -- whether you are on land or on a snow-filled RIB boat on the water like I was when I took this shot -- Reine is a magical, gorgeous place. I can't believe I'll be heading back there -- and to the rest of Lofoten -- in January! I'll be doing 4 days of photography there with my friend Ben Ashmole (from Ashmole Photography) and I can't wait to be in the land of magical light, red cabins, and the northern lights once again! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Zbh2Pm3/1/DTgSLnSJhtPpgL3dvgVdtcGZdp4G83QV9XsLzCZdd-1776120306-O/i-Zbh2Pm3.jpg Ready to Explore the Lofoten Sea A RIB (rigid inflatable boat) ready to head out to sea for a snorkeling trip. Yes, I jumped in a snow-filled RIB to go snorkelling in winter. Yes, I may be a bit crazy. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-nC4jFwD/0/DczzGkqNVk838cLv2vwKT9TmgGzFrDWSdhRvrQhmr-1776120306-O/i-nC4jFwD.jpg Welcome to my Rorbu Reine, in the Lofoten Islands, is an incredibly special place. While this wasn't the rorbu (old fisherman's cottage) that I stayed in, I had a very similar view from mine. I couldn't believe the view as I looked out the window on my first morning there. It was only slightly more unbelievable than the fact that I was about to go snorkeling from a boat covered in snow in water that was 4ºC! Prior to visiting Reine, New Zealand was the only place I was really intent on visiting again and again. Now I have another place on my 'must go back to' list -- and in both winter and summer too! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-6qC2PcS/0/kjFTrS9VkjbQ7nFpk2nrKTwfWWGrfNZdBxBmGJR3-1776120306-O/i-6qC2PcS.jpg The Rorbuer of Reine Reinefjord was picture perfect on my first morning there. It was so full of colour, with the traditional fishermen's cabins (rorbuer) dotting the shoreline with their brilliant red and the blue sky reflecting perfectly in the almost purple waters of the fjord. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NXkVcFN/0/DFdG8GXQjNh4Qzm3JCG9nSXQDJT7DP6MWgD4KxKgm-1776120306-O/i-NXkVcFN.jpg Lofoten Morning What a morning this was. I arrived in Reine late at night and awoke to see the fjord stretched out in front of me and Olstind Mountain towering above it all. Gorgeous. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-PHQwD2H/0/FbVw3RmQN5HGctcLvfn3XVskLZgjkhp5TmmQSMPtk-1776120306-O/i-PHQwD2H.jpg Morning's First Footprints I was lucky enough to arrive in Reine the day after a heavy snowfall, and because so few people stay in the rorbuer there in the winter, I was the first person to make any footprints in it the following morning! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-xDz8bCV/0/5Lg5H9PBdkj7gdRp8PjrmK3zRDXvbszkHKt6QcKM-1776120306-O/i-xDz8bCV.jpg Waiting for the Stockfish In the Lofoten Islands, stockfish is an institution. For much of the winter, fishermen head out to sea to catch as much cod as possible, which is then hung on these racks to dry. It makes the islands smell a bit off, but you get used to it! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-BSdVVWZ/0/DwGXGWwW8w7sK5mNnctPh2Vnfb2wthH4Xg5j4G5x-1776120306-O/i-BSdVVWZ.jpg Sunlight and Icicles The amazing view that greeted my just outside my rorbu (to the right) as I got ready for a fantastic day in Reine, in Norway's Lofoten Islands. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-hdMhQFL/0/FNgZBjm2GCQ2hCf55b38r2fb9kHJvTXZr9TMTnFjg-1776120306-O/i-hdMhQFL.jpg Asleep for the Night My first glimpse of Reine after I arrived on the 12.30am ferry. It was so quiet -- no seabirds squawking, no fishermen unloading boats -- yet so brilliantly lit that the rock walls of the fjord were visible even though it was a new moon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/portugal weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Portugal/i-rN7ZBxP/0/CwXQvnWkF38fmwhLCcpDsMJbhdbnCX4hV74t5kdrR-1776120307-O/i-rN7ZBxP.jpg Santa Luzia Sunrise The sun rises over the Santuário de Santa Luzia and the city of Viana do Costelo in the valley beyond. I captured this view from the patio area of the gorgeous pousada where we had spent the night. What a place to start the day! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Portugal/i-cDsNWdV/0/vS4VgwwCdshDTk5sk2QqLhgrKG2wMw3Srsm8GdtX-1776120307-O/i-cDsNWdV.jpg Rabelo Reflections A rabelo boat passes by ours as we cruise down the River Douro in between all of the port vineyards perched on the hills. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Portugal/i-k3MvmgD/0/XZNZgFPJnFK5Ldw3JPjGZDC7wxWNksL4KpNHJbcn-1776120307-O/i-k3MvmgD.jpg Rabelos at Midnight Some of the many rabelos, which take tourists on cruises up and down the Douro River, at port near midnight in Porto. This was the one photo I was adamant I wanted to get before I arrived in the city -- and even though it nearly resulted in me getting pickpocketed, I'm happy I got it. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Portugal/i-hkkGzTT/0/FZrL5pZ399VFgMqvhs5cLZ92N8X7CVKVVSfCjVFsz-1776120307-O/i-hkkGzTT.jpg The Red Roofs of Porto A panorama of the cities of Porto (far side of the Dom Luís Bridge) and Villa Nova de Gaia (this side of the bridge). What a gorgeous place! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/puerto-rico weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Puerto-Rico/i-KpX5QZ4/1/qbh6hDTp3HFHf9pSJ2RQzwNctQB4J7wDsJjPqmkz-1776120307-O/i-KpX5QZ4.jpg Viejo San Juan en la Noche After a great day of roaming the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, the sun set and the lights came on, giving the old colourful buildings a completely different feel. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Puerto-Rico/i-RkBwCGT/0/gtJbDJNCTw7XhkW899wzFn6GQhg7xpndPgzS3Vps-1776120307-O/i-RkBwCGT.jpg The Old Fort The walls inside El Morro Fort were painted such a vibrant yellow it was almost blinding. It added even more character to Old San Juan's famous fort that stands tall above the sea. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Puerto-Rico/i-GM8NmRJ/0/FNMzjNQ9vJrzhrdKSZ8vPDcw497KTfwKzhpL7dQKx-1776120307-O/i-GM8NmRJ.jpg Esperanza We were lucky enough to have to wait at the beach while other people arrived for our bioluminescent bay tour on Vieques. This scene was even better with the salsa music blaring from the bar nearby! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-tNXTgDv/0/FSTFr9DT9xqqXkSJ6jpSjHGs7q2bkk54B9V2p5XSJ-1776120308-O/i-tNXTgDv.jpg Autumn in Stockholm The gorgeous autumn colours of Långholmen in Stockholm. I loved visiting this city in both winter and summer, but I think I liked it even more when it was decked in the vibrant hues of fall. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-mgkxgwg/0/Q7z4gXwvg7grkbnJCJk5HrBLH93VSPh9wLfpVXWM-1776120308-O/i-mgkxgwg.jpg Colourful Stockholm Summer The gorgeous colours of Stockholm on a perfect summer's day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-3KDWzMC/0/C69rNXbFzBwhBTMxbbjZ7bPWZ7zZvH49pxtKQWfHF-1776120308-O/i-3KDWzMC.jpg The Remnants of Stora Sjöfallet Flying high above Sweden's first national park as well as the Laponia World Heritage area. What an awesome place! It's hard to believe that the waterfall in the foreground -- Stora Sjöfallet, the namesake for the park -- used to be the largest in Sweden before the lake system was dammed for hydropower. Apparently all of the rocks would have been underneath a thundering cascade. It's sad it's gone, especially since I would have thought the government would want to keep the centrepiece of its original national park. It was still a mesmerising sight, but I had to wonder about what used to be as we hovered thousands of feet above. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-tNTwqxg/0/C3Bgpg9FxX7Pv2rsrMZrR2k7ZpcdPZWgHsNz8pcZk-1776120308-O/i-tNTwqxg.jpg Perfect Porjus Like so many places I'd visited in Lapland, Porjus (near Gällivare in Swedish Lapland) featured a perfectly calm lake that reflected the sun as it slowly dipped towards the horizon. While this looks like it could be midnight sun, this photo was actually taken around 9.30pm; now that the midnight sun period has finished, Lapland is losing light at a rapid 20 minutes per day! This particular place in Porjus is also a special place for me, since I have now visited it three times (twice in winter and once in summer), and it was the first place I ever visited in Lapland. You could say that it was the catalyst for the many Nordic adventures I've had over the last few years! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-Schk4jG/0/Df2D8hvcDCC6Pt2CPnHXQJ45bpskHNzg3cRHn6hq6-1776120308-O/i-Schk4jG.jpg Reflecting All But Kebnekaise The crystal clear waters of Ladtojaure reflecting the mountains around Kebnekaise, Sweden's tallest mountain (Kebnekaise itself should be visible on the far right of the photo but it's hidden by trees). Even on a cloudy, and occasionally stormy, day this lake was stunning to see. The mosquitos -- those black dots you see all over the lake if you look hard enough -- seemed to like the view too since they had gathered here en masse! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-QRn67qT/0/D4CKFpbtgpDj9g9VNJ9g6WzmRMj9DV6xwqvQMDq9s-1776120308-O/i-QRn67qT.jpg The Mountains of Lapland Looking into the mountains of Swedish Lapland from a lake at Nikkaluokta late on a summer evening. There was no longer midnight sun when I was there, but since I shot this around 11pm, I'd say that's close enough! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-qGp5C4s/0/DZcTM58sBwXzJxsNvnhv5JCMwxb74qLDRzh4PCMn9-1776120308-O/i-qGp5C4s.jpg Absolutely Abisko What a view! This was the scene at the top of the ski lift up Mt Nuolja in Abisko National Park, looking back towards the Abisko Turistation, Lake Torneträsk, and the town of Abisko. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-PZRNTt6/0/DbM4D3tTqBCvdBbvdjDv9XwVQFhswNzmz9G6WTkfd-1776120308-O/i-PZRNTt6.jpg Rushing Towards the Midnight Sun The rapids of the Abiskoeatnu River in Sweden's Abisko National Park rushing towards the light of the midnight sun. While the sun was up at midnight, this evening in July was actually the first day the sun dropped below the horizon at Abisko for more than 50 days. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-R9DbCLr/0/CPTqkbrHWrmpdW9B3Gs357XkKsDXkGJnxGxFfm4Fq-1776120308-O/i-R9DbCLr.jpg Summer's First Sunset The skies over Abisko National Park and Mt Nuolja light up a brilliant pink on one of the first days Abisko had witnessed a sunset in over two months. The sun set after midnight and wasn't down for long, but for me, after having been under the midnight sun for more than a month, it was a huge change! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-n2c3LFR/0/CL23F9kXwvwkQfpxg95SqZKfb6f3BpcwWV62HwPL4-1776120308-O/i-n2c3LFR.jpg Where To Next? This sign, seen in Karesuando at 68º north in Swedish Lapland, was one of the more impressive markers I've seen. Despite the cold, I found myself standing there for quite a while, picking out all the places I've been and all the places I would like to go. The numbers were mind-boggling too -- from a bit over 100km to Kiruna, my previous stop, to over 6600 to Sapporo, where I rang in the New Year, all of the distances seemed to be quite a long way! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-HMwQT2h/1/Ph9LS6ftQm53mTR6HhPbkL7GgDk2p4pgGPSnJckV-1776120308-O/i-HMwQT2h.jpg Frozen Abiskoeatnu Frozen Abiskoeatnu Canyon in Abisko National Park. I couldn't even begin to imagine the roar of the waterfall in the summer in such a quiet, frozen environment…especially because the peace was so blissful. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-fd8LvtP/0/QkHtM3m6DVjDX84LBzFmK7r9Kg6MFW3cB5qP5rxx-1776120308-O/i-fd8LvtP.jpg Glowing Brighter Than the Moon The 2013 edition of the Icehotel, with its entryway's ice glowing brighter than the full moon above. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-LQSkZ5r/1/DLbwKs5c8SVS4W85nJtcZLd8gKB5C2wGvT4GdKrjW-1776120308-O/i-LQSkZ5r.jpg Little Church in the Snow The gorgeous red tones of the Jukkasjärvi church standing out against the blue skies and snowdrifts of a late winter day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-qS7dDZq/0/FS768SGNd3RVqbP9XgFrzwH3dvCWcrszmqgkNm8Dt-1776120308-O/i-qS7dDZq.jpg Blue Skies, Blue Ice The ice of the 23rd Icehotel glows a deep blue underneath the brilliantly blue skies of Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-cS9PPK4/0/FQSx3Xg78H5nzqd6m4FGwdGqrmJXfVhVvjFqWZXVw-1776120308-O/i-cS9PPK4.jpg Torne River Sunset The sun sets on a gorgeous winter's day in Jukkasjärvi as people go for evening strolls across the frozen Torne River, the source of all the ice for the world-famous Icehotel. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-78hs72K/0/FPjGQkVKcTDwr4R34SqZxVwjQKqxwQfk7s7bgbm8x-1776120308-O/i-78hs72K.jpg Blue Marine The amazing Blue Marine room in the 2012/2013 Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland. Stepping into this room, carved by Andrew Winch & William Blomstrand, felt like stepping into the belly of a whale. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-SvPK9bN/0/DNF5nL2bvjMcngL38cS34L863QLxTtstwWvs2rDwg-1776120308-O/i-SvPK9bN.jpg Stars and Stripes I finally saw the northern lights in Porjus, one year after I first went there to see them. This visit was under the full moon, so I didn't expect to see much -- but this aurora was so bright that it still sparkled in the already well-lit sky. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-KzKc7Hc/0/m825bMzWVtqs4Fp7kgZL6Nz8kGsnSG6WcH42zhqR-1776120308-O/i-KzKc7Hc.jpg Porjus Station House Under the Aurora Auroras dance over the Porjus Station House in Swedish Lapland. They were still clearly visible even though it was full moon! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-Fb7qFGT/0/D9PtHVkwvk83R3kRz9Chv3RjMjvsntZhWfz34KcX3-1776120308-O/i-Fb7qFGT.jpg I'm Ready! I'm Ready! The huskies of Arctic Husky Adventures all harnessed up and ready to go for a run back home. We'd just had our lunch on the edge of the snowy forest outside of Jokkmokk, and while I was feeling a bit tired from gripping on to the back of the dogsled, these guys looked like they hadn't been running at all! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-Fk86rv6/0/CXShGJjVMJBvdPLf4dMKfk6pg9JjbShnm3gxCM3xL-1776120308-O/i-Fk86rv6.jpg Pink Skies Over Jokkmokk The light in Lapland is nearly always stunning. It seemed like, even though the days were a normal length, golden hour and sunset went on much longer than they do in more southern climes. This shot, captured on the edge of Lake Talvatis in Jokkmokk, shows exactly what I mean. It was such a gorgeous scene that the reindeer even had to stop and look! To learn more about how to travel around Lapland successfully, check out my new 'Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter' available at http://www.winterinlapland.com. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-3mvRxw6/0/FMpxx4XDtjNpHW7VH92FxgFz4TJvxjBGCCSTRzJks-1776120308-O/i-3mvRxw6.jpg Windswept This windswept, icy plain is actually the frozen edge of the Gulf of Bothnia in the Luleå Archipelago. The pack ice was piled up for meters above the frozen surface and the wind blew snow in our faces no matter which way we turned. It was barren but stunning at the same time. And yes, that is a hovercraft! How cool is that?! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-KBRhbGw/0/DLKV9cxMqbK3G3CfMQfxmF4SMSNN6gPJpmr53xN6V-1776120308-O/i-KBRhbGw.jpg Tracks in the Snow The night I spent wandering around the snowy outskirts of Skellefteå was full of gorgeous winter scenes like this one. It was hard to even know what to look at -- did I look at the tracks that seem to have been impossibly laid down in the snow given the massive snowdrift blocking me from them, or the sky, which seemed to be continually moving through the colours of the rainbow? First it was a deep orange, then a strong blue, and now an interesting shade of maroon. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-vWvdg28/0/bzKtVTRNQF5mmjJchnfMvs79zvMPhTBJK6XVGQbv-1776120308-O/i-vWvdg28.jpg Odd One Out In a sea of brown wooden buildings, built around Skellefteå's church so people could have somewhere to stay when they came into town for church on the weekends (and now used as summer houses), this bright red one definitely stood out! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-7v2DwBB/0/D8dHBN9fZ8tTr6bPW6g6hT4sh6xzMBKkNkSGVz4Np-1776120308-O/i-7v2DwBB.jpg Skellefteå Bonnstan I was really happy that my colleagues in Skellefteå (Sweden) told me that I should visit the old church village near the county church. This collection of rickety old buildings--where people used to come into town to stay on weekends so they could go to church--looked lovely in its healthy covering of snow! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-G2Vwm49/0/CtGsBcKWr4W7DBCFSQpWgHNbXmCFGHGMLkdBgTpCm-1776120308-O/i-G2Vwm49.jpg Christmastime in Skellefteå Even though it was mid-January, the Christmas trees all around Skellefteå were still beacons of light in the long night. This one looked especially beautiful, all frosted with snow and standing in the middle of the beautiful wooden buildings of Bonnstan, the old church village. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-nkDN8gw/0/GC9Bsh8KRkq7BJ9rh4LndwgtCQZNVfLXsGZMxPqC-1776120308-O/i-nkDN8gw.jpg A Greek Temple or a Swedish Church? This was a couple-kilometer walk from Skellefteå city centre and we had to find alternate pathways after the ones we wanted to go on (mostly along the river) hadn’t been plowed, but it was well worth it. The ever-present clouds were lit up with the lights of the city and made the church look especially moody — my colleague likened it to the “Church from Hell” because it was so surrounded in red. The other thing that really struck me about it was that the columns and dome made it seem really Greek, and therefore a bit out of place in Swedish Lapland. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-JrbL3Sg/0/CpJZ6vnXRZVJrRf5K2LR5KNNRHhcBgv4N4nKK5JZZ-1776120308-O/i-JrbL3Sg.jpg The Church of the Eerie Red Skies On my last night in Skellefteä, I went for a walk with my colleagues to this church. It was a couple kilometres -- not great on my leg that I later found out was broken from an incident a few days prior -- but being able to see it in this eerie light was worth it. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/switzerland weekly 0.7 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-BSNfQKB/0/DPSs65NbWPvFJb9jd2N3fTwxWrRCs6ZQX7BwzJxp4-1776120308-O/i-BSNfQKB.jpg Mürren's Golden Cloak Gorgeous golds and oranges beginning to coat the Swiss Alps. I was so lucky that my trip tied in nicely with the beginning of the autumn colours -- even if I was a week out from the peak, they were still so stunning to see, especially for someone like me that has never lived in a climate that allows fall colours! Add to that the cozy little Alpine village of Mürren and you get an almost perfect day for walking in the mountains. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-9H3PQQV/0/CfRrmWj3tc6LckxZCxZz3zJnS9Q88fj6whJBFgVph-1776120308-O/i-9H3PQQV.jpg Alpen Autumn The autumn colours of the Swiss village of Mürren, with the Alps towering behind in their ice-covered glory. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-fkPjHc8/0/FZ3P2F3sdRH8XgJC85NnbVD88q5MgZVfFmmNs9m6X-1776120308-O/i-fkPjHc8.jpg Sunny Switzerland Just when I thought I couldn't be wowed anymore by the Swiss Alps, I found this view. Located just outside the alpine village of Mürren (which can be accessed via the gondola to Schilthorn), this was exactly the sort of view I'd come to the Alps to find -- little alpine houses looking out on a sweeping mountain view as far as you can see. I'd be very happy having this as my summer (or winter) getaway home! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-tQvvmGp/0/C7LpQLKP4FN6dfkfsDhJQnZDSTS8BcwkC3ZJdR3vc-1776120308-O/i-tQvvmGp.jpg Between the Soaring Peaks A crystal clear stream running towards Lauterbrunnen between the soaring peaks of the Alps above. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-vGxSr9j/0/DpDhhH7NNdzDNXXc4FQN7dp8r5xKPvxVLxDND8tSv-1776120308-O/i-vGxSr9j.jpg Jungfrau High Above the Clouds Jungfrau, the namesake of the Jungfrau region in Bernese Oberland, stands high above the low clouds of a Swiss autumn day. https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-VCgs6qL/0/D5M3HWdS9nwhCghZ4npSNVzPWB5K94fv5F7XQFZDC-1776120308-O/i-VCgs6qL.jpg Schilthorn's Sea of Clouds I started my day under overcast skies in Interlaken, but once I saw a live webcam image that showed what it looked like above the clouds at the top of Schilthorn, I couldn't buy my gondola ticket quickly enough. I had to slip and slide my way across the snow to the outer platform at Piz Gloria to get this view of the mountains peeking out of the sea of clouds, but the reward was worth it for the few of us that did make it there.
 Interestingly enough, this was one of the prominent filming locations for the Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," the only Bond film to feature Aussie actor George Lazenby as Bond. Even at the top of the Swiss Alps there's no escaping reminders of home! https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-FxvZ5dm/0/bCMZFqqpqjCg79sJGp6XsBQRvsZPWfNsMnk8K3v9-1776120308-O/i-FxvZ5dm.jpg An Apparition in the Fog Birg, the fourth of five gondola stations on the Schilthornbahn in Switzerland's Jungfrau region, peeks out above the clouds. It was so cool to stand at Piz Gloria (the top of Schilthorn) and watch this station appear and disappear every few minutes! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/a-beacon-in-the-fog monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-CGc2SXc/0/D6wLg9QVqktSSfMgTtRZHK6C59GCWdCXXcqxxCnHG-1776120203-O/i-CGc2SXc.jpg A Beacon in the Fog It was no surprise that my first photo shoot in San Francisco featured a lot of fog; after all, that's what the city is known for. What was interesting, though, was the way the fog dramatically changed this scene, shot from the Embarcadero, between nights: on this night, the view was much better in black & white, which emphasized the almost film noir feeling, while the next night was still foggy but much more suited to brilliant, poppy colours, as seen in "A Not Too Foggy Night." https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/a-moody-reflection-of-reine monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-GmwSBjG/0/cjb7WPDz9Bcn72nGr2JnL9hgLJFVCssv7gzhNj9R-1776120203-O/i-GmwSBjG.jpg A Moody Reflection of Reine I couldn't get over just how spectacular Reine really was, even when the dark, moody clouds made their way up the fjord. I'd be interested to know if anyone actually uses that dock (and another platform further out in the water) for swimming though -- after having been out in the water this morning, there is no way I'd go near it without a drysuit! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/all-s-quiet-in-the-western-fjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-vjdfV2r/0/FJ26bWRCCDbnqVBZVCVdsBvXZNPGpPvbcrgNKzjPP-1776120203-O/i-vjdfV2r.jpg All's Quiet in the Western Fjord Reflections of the mountains surrounding Reinefjord, seen in the little harbour near the Statoil Station. Reine Rorbuer can be seen on the left side of the harbour. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/all-smiles monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-JW3BcCd/0/CrRNXj7XkchNk5DdvKSVJpTGmL3thd8ZwB3QMWzMN-1776120203-O/i-JW3BcCd.jpg All Smiles The winning airbrush body art entry during the photo call at the 2012 Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/bison-dwarfed monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Waterton-National-Park/i-mFnrVdH/0/DkpQcnc3549csgXrsSn4jpRL5RqkHJC7WQTkvDGxF-1776120203-O/i-mFnrVdH.jpg Bison, Dwarfed A herd of buffalo grazing in front of the stunning mountains of Waterton Lakes National Park on a sunny July day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/bridging-natural-bridge-part-deux monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/Gold-Coast/i-X98s59C/0/DWPKQwvpLbLrgX6RgxNMdZcXjFQVVwGTRXdC7f5sp-1776120203-O/i-X98s59C.jpg Bridging Natural Bridge Part Deux Natural Bridge is a favourite of photographers across South East Queensland. This difficult-to-shoot scene, found in the Natural Bridge section of Springbrook National Park, is part of a very short bushwalk through the area, which takes you along Cave Creek, into the cave, and then up and over it. It's best seen when there has been a lot of recent rainfall; otherwise, it can slow to a faint trickle. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/cracks-in-the-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-D6Tm3K3/1/CrmPsT3zdW9KL6TMMXRpMhqkxcPZnsWfpQT3T6JWh-1776120203-O/i-D6Tm3K3.jpg Cracks in the Clouds As the clouds that had followed us for the morning slowly broke up, they turned the sky into a crazy puzzle with pieces that didn't quite fit together. When we stopped at Lower Waterfowl Lake to capture them, we found some piles of ice that fit right in with the scene; being -20º though, we decided not to try to fit all the icy puzzle pieces together! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/cruising-the-icefields-parkway monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-dhqPQXL/2/DKTzr6P4gLTzThjskzkb4x55Fv3QDZKRH9L87dFtc-1776120203-O/i-dhqPQXL.jpg Cruising the Icefields Parkway Not-very-nice weather dogged us for our entire drive north on the Icefields Parkway, but it didn't really matter. While we would have liked to have seen the Parkway in brilliant sunshine on at least one of our drives, the angry clouds made for some great scenes in black & white! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/danbo-learns-to-read monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Danbo/i-zpdD28V/0/DhdbGfBZQPQc9MZv5PnVjRbTSTFwsc5fq9NFs9rpR-1776120203-O/i-zpdD28V.jpg Danbo Learns to Read It's tough learning to read when the book is three times your size. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/demure monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-qsnbXxQ/1/CLCkKX6P3snG2dW4tnJMzRdj3VnQmWWwDsr9wxP6t-1776120203-O/i-qsnbXxQ.jpg Demure A model poses after her artist has put the finishing touches on her makeup. Australian Body Art Carnivale, 2011. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/frozen-in-place monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-6fFtZQv/0/CPknPjB2SjKZcqXwwfrBNbBGtV3W8B5gbCXWH4XsN-1776120203-O/i-6fFtZQv.jpg Frozen in Place It didn't take long during the cold snap that enveloped much of Europe last week for Vejle's fjord to freeze. These rocks along the shoreline broke the waves just enough that the ice around them had a splintered, shattered look that gave way to a much more glazed look the further from shore it got. It was quite an uncommon, and beautiful, scene. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/imposing monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-TXS8Zrh/1/C4XjhrwBKsMvttzLmxm6bhg8TKtNtngs6S3np6sf6-1776120203-O/i-TXS8Zrh.jpg Imposing The imposing mountains of Banff National Park rise up in the distance as we cruise along the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/in-a-monochrome-dream monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-qbfpXVn/0/DBF6ppM37LSrmNBgHtV5tJrJpqbFqpD2bBmt4wxPp-1776120203-O/i-qbfpXVn.jpg In a Monochrome Dream A bit of fun playing with streaky clouds at first light at Vermilion Lakes. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/little-church-in-the-valley monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-cRwMWCW/0/CK4rf9Dzj4fTxdT4TWnh8xKkFcbD3RBHS73rrTXsT-1776120203-O/i-cRwMWCW.jpg Little Church in the Valley The beautiful clear skies of the morning gave way to moody clouds in the afternoon, which gave the gorgeous setting of Reine a completely different feel. I thought it worked particularly well for the beautiful little church in the town. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/milford-sound-in-monochrome monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-DKvVCGv/0/DxBBX764j9TtJBBSNrj6thBSnqGx8mPgPZLFptcRX-1776120203-O/i-DKvVCGv.jpg Milford Sound in Monochrome It’s hard to put the feeling of being in Milford Sound into words. It all seemed so much larger than life; the mountains, the waterfalls, and the sky all made me feel so minuscule…but in the most jaw-dropping way possible. I was lucky enough to be there during a summer that had been extremely dry, which meant I’d had perfect blue skies for my entire trek down the Milford Track and into the Sound itself. However, that also meant that I didn’t get to see the walls of the fiord turn into a myriad of waterfalls or see the clouds creeping slowly up the sound. I was okay with that though, because, well, how could I not be with this view? Read more at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/milford-sound-in-monochrome/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/moraine-in-monochrome monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-T8QnQn7/0/DZvMF6cqvssBfsXRDFDTW6nMB4B9qCzQkPGpcXnrP-1776120203-O/i-T8QnQn7.jpg Moraine in Monochrome Location: Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Canada Moraine Lake isn't often seen without its signature brilliantly blue waters, but this scene -- with its dramatic clouds welling up over the top of the mountains -- begged for black & white. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/out-of-the-shadows monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-rzCQ6P2/0/DcNHJP2J3SnxGkL9fNkZ9DZbLDBwnchLHZL2gDf8z-1776120203-O/i-rzCQ6P2.jpg Out of the Shadows Shot on Ilford Delta 100 film using a Nikon F100 and fading afternoon light through a window. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/pretty-kitty monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Animals/i-x8gdqVT/0/FBRhNr9Vs3pwdGbg7hq3BbtKCg6BsMbcCbh5V5t86-1776120203-O/i-x8gdqVT.jpg Pretty Kitty Wolverine has learned that my camera usually means a big light going off in his eyes, so it was very difficult to get him to look up for this shot! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/roland-garros-roland-garros monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-GStCZKJ/0/CkTbMZNZPJpbw76L6vpWsSd5qpKG5GvcsV6g9GvFh-1776120203-O/i-GStCZKJ.jpg Roland Garros Roland Garros Any guesses where I took this shot? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/rushing-to-cradle-mountain monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/Tasmania/i-hrg68n5/0/Nsq3dcpCR5LqbD4TxnHWGnQdWPjvJ42TQWcjfXSc-1776120203-O/i-hrg68n5.jpg Rushing to Cradle Mountain Knyvet Falls, full of water even in mid-winter, rushing through Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair National Park towards the mountain itself. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/seagulls-in-waiting monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-7Rm92zj/0/C6R2DDStXVhPkQzhDCNQqfdJbHzgnkD8BNC58nVHJ-1776120203-O/i-7Rm92zj.jpg Seagulls in Waiting A few lone seagulls, stragglers from the massive squawking group chasing the fishermen out to sea that morning, waiting for the afternoon's catch and a possible feed at the docks of Reinefjord. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/shippin-up-to-san-fran monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-fqxMdTF/0/2LXrc4ZGvpBKtbvvmBgtnPw364L3k8KpGhBWg7PN-1776120203-O/i-fqxMdTF.jpg Shippin' Up to San Fran I just got my first roll of black & white film developed and I was happily surprised when there were 4 decent photos on it! I took this one on my day out with my mom & some family friends during my recent trip to San Francisco. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/smoke-on-the-water monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/New-South-Wales/i-mnrxTzQ/0/FLGTp77mqsX87CMm9B9MGqVzJgrF9KrVvX987JfFZ-1776120203-O/i-mnrxTzQ.jpg Smoke on the Water The stormy seas of the Pacific crashing onto the Giants Causeway-like rocks at Fingal Head, NSW. This scene became much starker and end-of-the-world like when converted to monochrome! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/storms-descending-on-the-louvre monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-fLJGSFX/0/DJsWS2Q7ZktLkQWDp9qwTmc53x28RDP3X2QbdZzJg-1776120203-O/i-fLJGSFX.jpg Storms Descending on the Louvre As the myriad tourists posed with the Louvre's pyramids, a storm slowly moved in over Paris. We were drenched about 10 minutes later! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/the-danbos-find-the-mothership monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Danbo/i-SwDCmFT/0/CZJrM5Pz3NFZfRf2wMPnFP4kvZpcN4NcsXFJdhVTV-1776120203-O/i-SwDCmFT.jpg The Danbos Find the Mothership I haven't been on the computer much this week because I've been at home in Houston visiting family and friends. I've also spent a lot of time packing things that I left here when I originally moved to Australia...as well as those things I ordered online because they were so much cheaper in America! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/the-fjord-s-autumn-moods monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-kCzdqm6/0/DGFRwPBFxVRsgdr8SvPkvTM3ZcdcSdmcq8SrCb2J5-1776120203-O/i-kCzdqm6.jpg The Fjord's Autumn Moods Autumn clouds stretch in bands across the sky above Ersfjordbotn in Norway's Arctic north. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/the-miniature-waterfall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-5RM2CbK/0/Dqfsgw8mfsn5gpd2xkWwhpFhQ9nHZw53PtMG69XW3-1776120203-O/i-5RM2CbK.jpg The Miniature Waterfall I took this shot during an exercise at a photography workshop that I attended in 2008. It was great fun and it kicked off even more of a photography obsession! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/the-moods-of-kirkjufell monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-KhvB7nR/0/CJ9gWTJb5pqptnsgTbhkHHKMWVJSvcmTQ9CGpZSpH-1776120203-O/i-KhvB7nR.jpg The Moods of Kirkjufell Location: Kirkjufell, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland The triple waterfall of Kirkjufellsfoss crashing down a hill in front of its namesake mountain. Even on days with moody weather, Iceland is still breathtakingly beautiful. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/the-outpost-in-the-irish-sea monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-2pcwwqR/0/CpVqsTvmmMhRWg5QFFRf2VfqFVGQS4KLXLj5Mf7q3-1776120203-O/i-2pcwwqR.jpg The Outpost in the Irish Sea The Milner's Tower stands high on Bradda Head, looking like a small outpost jutting out into the wild Irish Sea beyond. Not a bad place to start my photography adventure on the Isle of Man! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/the-photographer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-sq46Z99/0/Cn9WJ3HXbT7kqPpZgjrDXCWKwQ34ZBfpWQLphX4pz-1776120203-O/i-sq46Z99.jpg The Photographer My "little" brother, captured on the Cleethorpes Front during the kite festival on the May bank holiday weekend. This is such a Philip expression as well! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/the-shadows-on-the-wall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-zs5KDWs/0/QPZ4HM6H8x4mdNLMGVR6LntVw7ZWRfNMzTFGTMbZ-1776120203-O/i-zs5KDWs.jpg The Shadows on the Wall My favourite shot from the first roll of film I shot in my F100. This was shot in near darkness with only a flashlight shining in from the right hand side. The camera was balanced on the chessboard. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/the-twins monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Australia/Brisbane/i-2KNpDfR/0/DQcmh877gdk5TPPMFm4FvKSPV7frrRPZxRNc989H4-1776120203-O/i-2KNpDfR.jpg The Twins The massive arches of the Gateway Bridges, which span the width of the Brisbane River between Murarrie and Eagle Farm. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/voodoo-priestess monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-SL3BMnz/0/wCLXVgpbqQKG3pzB8mZMMjHX9BdHnmKHjLsfF2HS-1776120203-O/i-SL3BMnz.jpg Voodoo Priestess A voodoo priestess stalks the catwalk at the Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/monochrome/winter-mountain-moods monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-rSmBWpT/0/Bm66Mv4wcwB89kbSJBKPmD4DWkDKJw3w4863ZwXm-1776120203-O/i-rSmBWpT.jpg Winter Mountain Moods You never know what you're going to get in the mountains, particularly in winter. Like any photographer, I much prefer the moods with clouds than those completely without! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/a-hint-of-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NbGSfPW/0/DkQbL3xnQt8ghFv3vpGFJMV6vrjNKP4xVFdxpHJGv-1776120203-O/i-NbGSfPW.jpg A Hint of the Aurora A tantalising hint of the aurora behind the clouds on Flakstadøya in the Lofoten Islands. Unfortunately these clouds were an ever-present part of our trip there so this was just about the closest we got to seeing the aurora. That said, there's no way we could complain, because Lofoten in January is one of the most stunning places in the world. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/a-lucky-glimpse-of-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-sQjgqFT/0/qhDpfdBMhDnvfFGwVwg4fJgpZCgRgNSfGvjPL5xV-1776120203-O/i-sQjgqFT.jpg A Lucky Glimpse of the Aurora I couldn't believe that on my first night in Iceland, I was able to see the northern lights. I also couldn't believe that I happened to wake up at 3am and catch one of the few moments of clear skies -- I had 15 minutes before the whole sky was shrouded in clouds again. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/a-rain-of-lights monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qDvgQgT/0/FJsPxNvpzK8FGFk5hW4SctpTtMCC3HHCR2dJgh6Lc-1776120203-O/i-qDvgQgT.jpg A Rain of Lights It was hard to tell where to look when this storm of northern lights started. They were all across the sky, moving so quickly that it was hard to keep up. What a great way to finish up my trip to Lapland! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/above-the-fields-of-fludir monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-DqTR8Ct/0/FHRFSKLBrhRTgj86bhvtRc62xGTnnp9WfBThvnCfQ-1776120203-O/i-DqTR8Ct.jpg Above the Fields of Fludir The aurora did its best to out-green the fields of Fludir on this clear September night in Iceland. I think it did a pretty good job. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/aurora-dancing-above-inari monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-KJHjzG7/0/DGfVDCDv4RVhcSCjGQjzw75RgjV82SpbPcQdZSxRN-1776120203-O/i-KJHjzG7.jpg Aurora Dancing Above Inari The first time I saw the northern lights, they appeared as a dim green line across the sky. The second time I saw the northern lights, in Inari, Finland, they danced across the entire northern sky. It was amazing. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/aurora-ignites monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-kzVjMpx/0/DjkvB8LJzSbrzCBn6F6Bx4FDg3zBZpVdcRVjG7PbC-1776120203-O/i-kzVjMpx.jpg Aurora Ignites Northern lights dancing in the sky over Kätkävaara, Finland, collide with light pollution in the distance, creating what seemed to be the aurora igniting in front of our eyes. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/auroraburst monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vzVqR8s/0/DQHG5rMtSQdpNw3qx75Ncdq7vxqtcRgd6vv73HJNn-1776120203-O/i-vzVqR8s.jpg Auroraburst The aurora seemingly emanating from one of the cabins at Galdotieva, near the Norwegian border in Enontekiö, Finland. Even under the full moon, the northern lights completely lit up the sky in green. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/city-of-lights monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-rSmGp4B/0/CZdw9qc4kvJNm929TPs7GfJsMFcg7qBWRzC6KrMrq-1776120203-O/i-rSmGp4B.jpg City of Lights You're often told, when you head north to the Arctic Circle, that you'll need to get out of the city to see the northern lights properly. That's often true, as the light pollution blocks you from seeing the full strength of the aurora, but sometimes you're lucky enough to see a scene like this right behind your hotel. Taken in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, behind the Hotel Kultahippu. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/dancing-at-the-lighthouse monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-FxGQcwR/0/GX3BxBsR5MxGCFW4cGmQPHz8jzQ4RKNTM9DCB8ww-1776120203-O/i-FxGQcwR.jpg Dancing at the Lighthouse After I picked up my friend at Keflavik airport, we made a beeline for the closest landmark I knew -- the Gardur Lighthouse -- to try to watch the northern lights we could already see from the parking lot with less light pollution. It was a good choice ! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/dancing-on-cowboy-trail monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Alberta/i-NK3Q3NN/0/CMrdDjwPc8nj4cHDwCC5LD8WRsckwzW94fnkg4BCR-1776120203-O/i-NK3Q3NN.jpg Dancing on Cowboy Trail Location: Bragg Creek, Alberta, Canada After running a night sky workshop near Bragg Creek, I was concentrating on the road home when someone in the back seat piped up and said, "Is that the northern lights?" Sure enough, I'd been so focused on the road that I'd missed the green lights dancing above! I wasn't driving for very long after that, since Cowboy Trail luckily faces north and has plenty of room to pull off and set up a tripod! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/dancing-the-night-away monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-XZMRR3g/0/8PBJVNnc6WtpgBf2S29QcgPL6m7nmfMns24MrVds-1776120203-O/i-XZMRR3g.jpg Dancing the Night Away My original plan when I picked up a workshop participant at 3am was to head to Bow Lake to capture the Milky Way in pitch-black skies; however, after watching the northern lights dancing in front of us for the whole drive from Banff, we decided to head up to the Bow Summit (where there is a clear view to the north) instead. This is what we were greeted with -- dancing greens and purples and lights pulsing across the entire sky. I think it was the right choice! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/dark-skies-with-a-hint-of-green monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Jasper-National-Park/i-KP8qhNW/0/DMzt5XZ7FsrgNXhxKZ9mXX53tXZGmbdfBrLBCj5Mt-1776120203-O/i-KP8qhNW.jpg Dark Skies with a Hint of Green The northern lights light up the skies above Jasper and the waters of Lake Edith below. It was well worth the wait on the shoreline, even if it was so quiet that I jumped out of my skin when a fish jumped nearby! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/green-skies-over-camp-tamok monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FZhfht7/0/FCK3RGNwhLtMQ5V4DcGk3NRQ6zQzXTGgs9vnKbvJC-1776120203-O/i-FZhfht7.jpg Green Skies Over Camp Tamok After eight nights (spread across two trips) of scanning the skies patiently for any speck of green, I finally saw the skies over Camp Tamok light up with the northern lights! It was an amazing experience and one that I nearly missed taking a photo of because I was so transfixed. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/inside-the-glass-igloo monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vqQfQdV/0/C9pzdddCQ3b6bb3L6Fkrq32mFwf4TnwhZbd29CqHr-1776120203-O/i-vqQfQdV.jpg Inside the Glass Igloo I was lucky enough to see the northern lights many times while I was in Finland last year. One of the most memorable nights I had was the one I spent in a glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. Not only did I not have to go outside in the -38ºC temperatures, but I could just adjust my bed to the perfect angle and watch them from bed! Read more about my night in the glass igloos on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/it-came-from-the-trees monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Cmz5cKN/0/SXrBkwJZ2pR3rbgCXFTVTWxvpbBQF4TQXT7KQs7P-1776120203-O/i-Cmz5cKN.jpg It Came From the Trees A swirling green and purple aurora appearing just behind the trees that line Lake Palojärvi in northwestern Finland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/my-corona monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-JWzHgm7/0/bhcjZWWdLgqSbwKx897fFBcB3d5vxKpmPwD2nDPt-1776120203-O/i-JWzHgm7.jpg My Corona https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/nighttime-in-a-glass-igloo monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-RQNqxZ7/0/D5sNzq8w3jqVStBMtWSDMnPbBgkFNCMQs8MKFQLRq-1776120203-O/i-RQNqxZ7.jpg Nighttime in a Glass Igloo This was my view from inside my glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. My stay there was a highlight on my itinerary and it absolutely did not disappoint. How could it when I could lie in bed taking photos of the northern lights when it was -38C outside?! http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/northern-lights-in-hiding monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zmkHzFN/0/vGnTSnTs7gdBt26jWZrnNTZqbwRXds2p7QCjPnvD-1776120203-O/i-zmkHzFN.jpg Northern Lights in Hiding We got very excited on the last night of our recent trip to Lofoten because it looked like everything was coming together. The sky was clear, the northern horizon was starting to glow green...and then this happened. Luckily we got a few beams before the clouds completely covered them up again! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/pink-green-gold monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-gKMVVFN/0/Dk7jsG5kgkLHjT7JgV7FfmFJ6QqwFvK4bNtrCXGhj-1776120203-O/i-gKMVVFN.jpg Pink, Green & Gold On March 17, I was lucky enough to witness a huge northern lights show, courtesy of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun a few days earlier. We saw nearly every colour the aurora appears in as it danced from one side of the sky to the other. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/porjus-station-house-under-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-KzKc7Hc/0/D2BBG75M7xnbQ3Lr4RdknzDWGzPXJ2BtZJxFBVjKd-1776120203-O/i-KzKc7Hc.jpg Porjus Station House Under the Aurora Auroras dance over the Porjus Station House in Swedish Lapland. They were still clearly visible even though it was full moon! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/river-of-green monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Lb58pk2/1/FCZHh2wLbr93BGsmt7KvNrPsPSHCVL3nTDtGbrJNn-1776120203-O/i-Lb58pk2.jpg River of Green The River Skjálfandafljót, which flows out the spectacular Godafoss waterfall, lighting up green underneath spectacular northern lights. Even with the slight cloud cover, the lights were clearly visible. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/santa-s-heading-home monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-pShhH8R/0/DLgCBp6xj9Qjs8Gb8qQBZMS3SJR44js2mV7Xv9mW2-1776120203-O/i-pShhH8R.jpg Santa's Heading Home Late on the evening of Christmas Day, we headed out to Lake Minnewanka to see if we could get a glimpse of the northern lights, which were supposed to be quite strong. Not only did we see them dancing above the peaks at the end of the lake, but we also caught a glimpse of Santa heading back home to the North Pole (or it could have been a meteorite -- you decide)! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/seeing-red monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-qNKJM8V/0/3CL2HdrKmCrgjBQHGzRMtrJdN6WGTJdgBfdVG4cm-1776120203-O/i-qNKJM8V.jpg Seeing Red One year ago, the solar storm of October 10, 2024 caused spectacular auroras around the world. Here in southern Denmark, we clearly saw pinks and greens dancing over the fjord. The most impressive part of the show, though, was the brilliant red -- a colour I had never seen in the aurora before. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/smiling-sky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-GJjMhg4/0/FXm4McBN9hmj6fvXgdNJ5Q8rgDHjjtGwsksz5Zn2R-1776120203-O/i-GJjMhg4.jpg Smiling Sky Like with clouds, it's amazing what you can see in the shapes of the northern lights. I swear I can see a smiley in this shot from the top of a hill in Kätkävaara, Finland. Can you? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/solar-storm-over-rovaniemi monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-8KzfDN5/0/D9tkMMmXTv6pQ27njS8cXqpvJPpbSfV9DxWK2cFFF-1776120203-O/i-8KzfDN5.jpg Solar Storm Over Rovaniemi On St. Patrick's Day 2013, a massive solar storm hit the earth's atmosphere, causing auroras as far south as Colorado. In Finland, we had spectacular northern lights all through the night that were clearly visible even in cities with as much light pollution as Rovaniemi. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/st-patrick-s-day-in-finland monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-PRrTpZG/0/FNXQ6CGftBGBmqvtbGfZ898d3KLxXhD77D3M6M64r-1776120203-O/i-PRrTpZG.jpg St Patrick's Day in Finland Two years ago on St Patrick's Day, we were in for an absolute treat. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. I'm so glad that I booked in on a last-minute trip that took us to this hill in Kätkävaara, far out in the Finnish wilderness. There was no light pollution so we got to watch the amazing show until the guide forced us all back into the van! Read more (and see more photos) on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/st-patrick-s-day-party-in-the-sky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6zmRGm5/0/FNxDqWGF43GjSCV8HFqmfMmMqhbFzcM2XmHjm9zTr-1776120203-O/i-6zmRGm5.jpg St Patrick's Day Party in the Sky We were in for an absolute treat on St. Patrick's Day this year. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. So glad I booked in on a trip that took us to a hill in the middle of nowhere because there was no light pollution to block the amazing show! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/stars-and-stripes monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-SvPK9bN/0/DrtSq9DqZFFZhLS2LKLcMpCBDFNbSJ4mKndrC4w3D-1776120203-O/i-SvPK9bN.jpg Stars and Stripes I finally saw the northern lights in Porjus, one year after I first went there to see them. This visit was under the full moon, so I didn't expect to see much -- but this aurora was so bright that it still sparkled in the already well-lit sky. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/swirling-reykjanes-sky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-vTHxCGK/0/DX7shWZrjmBNx28MdsMLZj8cN8MpWVgFxpCwRhv7C-1776120203-O/i-vTHxCGK.jpg Swirling Reykjanes Sky The northern lights swirl over the beach at Gardur on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula. I kind of like how a slight bump to my tripod resulted in a sky full of shooting stars too! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/swirling-sky-churning-waterfall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-X9LTbRv/0/CM9g8tzzRXQXCVbSWP2dvMFvVVNWnbfTJgvLC7sZR-1776120203-O/i-X9LTbRv.jpg Swirling Sky, Churning Waterfall The aurora dances above the spectacular Goðafoss in northern Iceland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-aurora-hunters monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6Zhf6WP/0/JnBWj2Wv8KBJbt7mVccV6XjgfsKpNNSDjVjd2gRM-1776120203-O/i-6Zhf6WP.jpg The Aurora Hunters One year ago today, on St. Patrick's Day 2013, a massive solar storm lit up the skies above Finnish Lapland. I was lucky enough to have booked a tour that night to Katkavaara, a nature reserve far away from the lights of any city, so we had an unadulterated view of the night sky. It was an experience that is beyond words. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-best-sort-of-storm monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Vf3JJtc/0/Dwxh3L2zNLjBqktq59MWWKd7hZ2mmGnXDBgq7JGXh-1776120203-O/i-Vf3JJtc.jpg The Best Sort of Storm Because there is supposed to be a massive geomagnetic storm hitting the earth's atmosphere today, here's a shot from a solar storm that I witnessed. This shot of the northern lights was taken as our guide was trying to shuttle us back down to the bus at the end of our tour. Luckily, we dug in our heels and asked if we could stay for just a few more minutes, since those minutes featured the most impressive auroras I've ever seen. They were moving so quickly across the sky, with coronas wildly pulsating above our heads, that I soon gave up taking photos and simply stared at it in awe. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-big-dipper-s-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-9Qjq7z5/0/fZtmfCWQrQd4XbJLKbQR97Xt8MT5JmwtGchJVLV9-1776120203-O/i-9Qjq7z5.jpg The Big Dipper's Aurora The aurora dances across the sky just below the Big Dipper. I captured this scene just outside the small town of Fludir, near Gullfoss waterfall at the end of the Golden Circle. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-church-of-the-southern-lights monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-mkB3JzN/0/Cg7Q8wS8r74NBd9tT9GzhxjFQcjPJtmG5ZPDDZfKZ-1776120203-O/i-mkB3JzN.jpg The Church of the Southern Lights What good luck is this?! Of our three nights in Lake Tekapo, we were treated to pink southern skies for two of them. The aurora may not have been visibly dancing, but it was most definitely there! If you'd like to capture a photo like this, why not come along on our Explore Capture Repeat tour next year? We can't guarantee auroras but if the southern lights are in the sky, we'll be out capturing them! Learn more at http://ecr.photo/nz. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-dance-of-the-aurora-and-the-waterfall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-MPCCHZT/0/CSR4LCRwGrvczHMZXmdFJCK433fgmr6d5rZWkXhhf-1776120203-O/i-MPCCHZT.jpg The Dance of the Aurora and the Waterfall The aurora dancing across the sky above the famous Godafoss in northern Iceland. I loved how it managed to defy the clouds trying to move in and hide it, since it meant hours more aurora watching for me! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-god-of-the-sky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-kvQTcK5/0/DTVbhJQctrnMRBPvMwWRktSwV3LnHrF3VLHX47HnC-1776120203-O/i-kvQTcK5.jpg The God of the Sky When you're watching the northern lights light up the Arctic sky, it's very easy to understand why people used to believe that they were the work of the gods. In particular, the Sami believed that the northern lights were the souls of their ancestors coming back to dance across the sky. How can you not believe them when shapes like this one appear? It looks to me like a hooded man flying across the sky with one arm extended and one at his side...what do you see? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-good-shepherd-of-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-svh4jTV/0/FMB94tMJTJMgqVMb3Jgns8gb6J67nCqX3DmvJwKXx-1776120203-O/i-svh4jTV.jpg The Good Shepherd...of the Aurora How amazing is this?! I'd hoped for auroras to appear during our time in Tekapo, since it's known as having one of the darkest skies in the world. We were lucky enough to have it two nights running (although we could only see it with the naked eye on one of those nights). I should have known the minute I got to the Church of the Good Shepherd that they could be seen with the camera, since there was a horde of photographers all facing south, which is probably not a normal occurrence at 11pm! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-green-lights-of-gardur-lighthouse monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-48XtVNb/1/f4KfzKkzx2rshgtL9CgqxXN6tKQ3hJ695KG4gnVZ-1776120203-O/i-48XtVNb.jpg The Green Lights of Gardur Lighthouse Location: Gardur, Reykjanes peninsula, Iceland This isn't your standard lighthouse light, but hey, I think I prefer it to a simple white flashing beam! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-height-of-the-storm monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-p5qMwf7/0/FHT76DnP8NRcHwdZTKMz6BV9bxdFNF2ndFn9qW4Pv-1776120203-O/i-p5qMwf7.jpg The Height of the Storm To learn more about the northern lights, how to photograph them, and how to travel around Lapland successfully, check out my new 'Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter' available at http://www.winterinlapland.com. The people on my tour to Kätkävaara in Finnish Lapland on the night this was taken had no idea where in the sky to look. The aurora was bouncing across the sky and moving so quickly it was hard to keep track! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-minnewanka-dancefloor monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Banff-National-Park/i-nJkM7Kg/0/FLzwvQrCTg49TZchvJK8tdTWpJjXh7xVGZ73MnFL-1776120203-O/i-nJkM7Kg.jpg The Minnewanka Dancefloor When we started the night shooting at Vermilion Lakes, we had no idea it would end with watching the aurora dance high above Lake Minnewanka! The clouds, which had been much heavier earlier in the evening, gradually cleared and let us see this gorgeous display all across the northern sky. It was the strongest auroras I've seen yet in Alberta! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-purple-green-and-blue-lagoon monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-mhSXhcQ/0/DP4PMBRfBrZgD4BnZ4qVbht9TKtcDMdfT2HvP5MzG-1776120203-O/i-mhSXhcQ.jpg The Purple, Green, and Blue Lagoon Wow, how different the Blue Lagoon looks under the night sky! Even though the aurora was not incredibly bright on this evening, I still love the combination of colours created by it and the light pollution from Keflavík nearby. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-sky-is-falling monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-XkJ9TMN/0/j6CDRt7gBRK3CHPGCFgxB6P2HL3xGRKMVMDfHSKg-1776120203-O/i-XkJ9TMN.jpg The Sky Is Falling The movement in the aurora during the solar storm on March 17 was just unbelievable. It was moving across the sky faster than we could follow it. It danced, it morphed, and at times like this one, it looked like it was falling straight through the atmosphere towards the Earth. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-solar-storm-and-the-radioactive-snow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-74zhbSL/0/QnvBWMN8NcP5bBXpCPntKbcfPRR5hZsRpHzkJnGG-1776120203-O/i-74zhbSL.jpg The Solar Storm and the Radioactive Snow A solar storm on St Patrick's Day 2013 created auroras so strong over Finnish Lapland that they actually made the snow glow green! This was taken on a tour to Kätkävaara that I signed up for at the last minute in hopes of getting out of the city and really seeing the storm. I'm so glad I did! See more photos of the best auroras I've ever seen on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-waterfall-of-the-gods monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-L9DkDzG/0/D7z6JQMCnhDqSvJ4xDwV68zP3L5Z9TsnqJnSWXm9C-1776120203-O/i-L9DkDzG.jpg The Waterfall of the Gods There is no doubt in my mind as to why Icelanders dubbed this waterfall Goðafoss, or "the waterfall of the gods." This was certainly a great way to spend a Friday evening and was one of the most memorable aurora displays I've seen to date! I also felt like it was quite an accomplishment to even get a night shot at ground level of Goðafoss. The spray here was so heavy that my gear was literally dripping afterwards, so trying to get a shot that wasn't obscured by spray on the lens was not easy! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/the-western-sky-in-green monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-BHjzmk2/0/DzRvcKS8Pp4tvSNBnCQzwXtJ2ZHJqWgqmFxv3DS68-1776120203-O/i-BHjzmk2.jpg The Western Sky in Green The aurora seems to fall towards the earth in the western sky over Galdotieva in far northwest Finnish Lapland. Taken at the end of March 2013 near full moon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/vivid-vejlefjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-2rPDSWw/0/DBTFT2GSKfssLT9GX9R6LKXTpFPKMLRX64XqZXtQ4-1776120203-O/i-2rPDSWw.jpg Vivid Vejlefjord The solar storm of October 10, 2024, was a sight to behold across the world. Here in Denmark, the entire sky lit up in greens, pinks, and reds that danced the night away long after we should have all been asleep on a work night. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/what-s-at-the-end-of-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-V7jXTh9/0/pLDnRQSv4LqZKdKBPZHd4X9bhq7fhxtFVKXbZDGn-1776120203-O/i-V7jXTh9.jpg What's at the End of the Aurora? They say there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so what's at the end of the aurora? Because I reckon it's just over that hill in Fludir, Iceland... https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/when-sk-gafoss-turned-green monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-zkzHLzx/0/zpDbC4z5xnwtN8Gp3Gb8nthh5rc6gnDb7S4jGh3z-1776120203-O/i-zkzHLzx.jpg When Skógafoss Turned Green My friend and I had joked that a perfect day in Iceland would include (1) blue skies as we went four-wheel-driving in Landmannalaugar, (2) a colourful sunset at Seljalandsfoss, and (3) the northern lights over Skógafoss. Seeing this meant we were 3/3 for the day! Shooting here was actually quite difficult, since the aurora was so bright and the waterfall was so dark. Trying to light paint it just resulted in lighting up the huge amount of spray coming off the falls. But really, we got to see the aurora over one of Iceland's more famous waterfalls. It doesn't get much better than that. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/yes-that-s-green-you-see monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Canada/Alberta/i-w5pFWcp/0/CghgLb5p2DFBN6CnDgHXqSpSwNGcCjX36br3W2hNP-1776120203-O/i-w5pFWcp.jpg Yes, That's Green You See When we hopped in the car around 11.30 on this evening in October, heading west, we could see the beams through the light pollution of Calgary. It just got better as we got further outside the city limits! I think my partner James may actually believe that the aurora is green now (since every other time he's been out aurora hunting it's looked white)! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/you-ll-find-me-under-the-bridge monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-hTpTdSH/0/FQHbfcWTn3Bb8mhgWDfRbCD5pVrt82n42cSSpV4JZ-1776120203-O/i-hTpTdSH.jpg You'll Find Me Under the Bridge Sometimes I feel like the town I live in is too small -- after all, it has 1.1 million less people in it than the next smallest city I've lived in. But on nights with big solar storms like the one on 19 Jan, it's great to know that I can drive for 5 minutes and be in a place dark enough (and with an interesting enough foreground!) to get photos like this one. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/northern-lights/zigzag monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qgQWVCn/0/DSX8w5c89jqLNsCw7kL9735FkD7kx4SKtBLNXB3LV-1776120203-O/i-qgQWVCn.jpg Zigzag When we first hiked 400m up a hill in Kâtkâvaara, Finnish Lapland, to see the northern lights, our guide pointed out north and told us that was the direction the lights would come from. Then we turned south and saw this! The lights stretched from horizon to horizon that night…it was stunning. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/akubra-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-ZPnkVj2/0/CkTrjJbgzjwVnt5q8jrG8HfktL3dxx2Wdq9mbmfvF-1776120203-O/i-ZPnkVj2.jpg Akubra Sunset The sun sets behind Kieran Lusk's akubra at the Queensland Instameet in October 2014. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/all-smiles monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-JW3BcCd/0/CrRNXj7XkchNk5DdvKSVJpTGmL3thd8ZwB3QMWzMN-1776120203-O/i-JW3BcCd.jpg All Smiles The winning airbrush body art entry during the photo call at the 2012 Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/artistic monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-h5zwL47/0/NwTsDHZGcBtVmf769VVmm4tKJTCwWLTjzZdLWB8L-1776120203-O/i-h5zwL47.jpg Artistic Kelli MacAlpine's gorgeous entry into the 2014 Australian Body Art Carnivale for the theme "Dreams and Nightmares." Model: Leelu. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/be-good-for-goodness-sake monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-mWMPnhQ/0/C9tXKFMZ4q5WJVxjq2SrB8cCLMhHC8WBRxRG9pNwr-1776120203-O/i-mWMPnhQ.jpg Be Good for Goodness' Sake! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/boarding-the-hogwarts-express monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-DGw2qtC/0/FRgqpkrKTBn5JTnVbTprgtTtptVNVS3D2WX3QmVz4-1776120202-O/i-DGw2qtC.jpg Boarding the Hogwarts Express These guys couldn't be happier about riding the Hogwarts Express (aka the Jacobite steam train that runs between Mallaig and Fort William). https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/browsing-the-helsinki-day-markets monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-bgZQRc4/0/DzmR4DNFzZgVKjkXP5rcWvXTLBbBRDVg6xGp4gRpw-1776120202-O/i-bgZQRc4.jpg Browsing the Helsinki Day Markets The residents of Helsinki out and about, enjoying their city's celebratory day on a fine summer day in early June. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/color-run-grins monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-WS9KMD3/0/FTbdxGhPggrxThfhC5SsVtnLtBfz9bkmwR3GZCVB4-1776120203-O/i-WS9KMD3.jpg Color Run Grins The colourful crowds piling in to the finish area at the end of the Brisbane Color Run 2014. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/color-run-happiness monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-ndJvPcm/0/CLzd4CpdksdJmsGzQvBTjtQHdWkN8wrZzTGnrrDcB-1776120203-O/i-ndJvPcm.jpg Color Run Happiness Location: Color Run, Brisbane, Australia Happy runners participating in a "colour throw" after finishing the Brisbane Color Run. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/day-of-the-dead monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-2tJsTQM/0/DRn2hdnDFMBLfw48pXq7NcvGQGg76vPNGZtRmPjRs-1776120203-O/i-2tJsTQM.jpg Day of the Dead One of the many entries into the "Dreams and Nightmares"-themed Australian Body Art Carnivale in 2014. Model Gabriella, artist Rachel Casanelia. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/demure monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-qsnbXxQ/1/CLCkKX6P3snG2dW4tnJMzRdj3VnQmWWwDsr9wxP6t-1776120203-O/i-qsnbXxQ.jpg Demure A model poses after her artist has put the finishing touches on her makeup. Australian Body Art Carnivale, 2011. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/duncarloway-hiking monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-z6qnkrL/0/CztjMwJsJwZfv4vRGbfNWZgsNpHJGRxqCfnRTSRh7-1776120202-O/i-z6qnkrL.jpg Duncarloway Hiking Travellers on the Haggis Adventures 'Hebridean Hopper' hiking over the hills of Duncarloway on the Isle of Lewis. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/explosion-of-colour monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-KH2J3Vv/0/Cd3SJDQXvSkZWKs2JRPPLBMc2bGSCtKDFNRJXGFRX-1776120202-O/i-KH2J3Vv.jpg Explosion of Colour The whole crowd at the Color Run Finish Festival explodes into colour during one of many 'colour throws.' This is my favourite part of the colour run since all the colours are mixed together (as opposed to the stations on the course itself, which are dedicated to an individual colour). https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/fear-thy-name-is-rosella monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-KRmdFCv/0/Fp4VRK3QJdJ3KpnpcTX6fNBHLbhMbRGvhsbmB4kx-1776120203-O/i-KRmdFCv.jpg Fear, Thy Name is Rosella I took this picture in the lorikeet feeding area at O'Reillys, which is a retreat situated in Lamington National Park near the Gold Coast. The lorikeets and rosellas had no fear and landed on anybody that stood still. Unfortunately for this little girl, her dad stood in one place for just a moment too long! I love how the crimson rosella actually looks menacing here...which she must have been able to sense because she burst into tears seconds after I took this! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/golden-girl monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-MTDrWf2/0/DKTtk8N7RbW2R4ksCjV9x2XPp7zJJLwHHVVgGpc2B-1776120203-O/i-MTDrWf2.jpg Golden Girl One of the dancers in a Brisbane Bollywood troupe just before sunset on a gorgeous day in Brisbane. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/he-does-sweat monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-KxPt5cr/0/Xz74mtVJXq58wS35zGqgTkwsgGhWZ2xc7Fp4C7V8-1776120203-O/i-KxPt5cr.jpg He Does Sweat! Proof that, contrary , contrary to popular belief, Roger Federer does actually sweat when it's 40ºC outside! Taken during the semifinals of the Brisbane International vs. Jeremy Chardy [8]. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/hiding-in-the-vines monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-pghXPHK/0/CdFFRK3C3FshqkKPJK6r26PmTpv2TQSDMLrBZ5d6g-1776120203-O/i-pghXPHK.jpg Hiding in the Vines One of the many fantastic entries into the brush & sponge competition at the Australian Body Art Carnivale 2012. Artist: Orly Snir https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/i-see-the-light monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-cLkwBjd/0/CTZWwFDsXvmvz2Hg2hCbGs4fKH2zgNNbw7zPfjGTd-1776120203-O/i-cLkwBjd.jpg I See the Light Early in 2010 my friend Steve organised a great rooftop photo shoot with 5 models. After we got a bit fed up with the rain, we headed into the darkened hallways of the building and got some of our most dramatic shots of the night! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/inside-the-colour-throw monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-DB9Q26B/0/CKbFR2fnRh6gQvmkL6N9N3GRSFXHkKSVdS3nRvVhk-1776120202-O/i-DB9Q26B.jpg Inside the Colour Throw This is what it's like to be in a crowd participating in a Colour Throw at the Color Run. I think I was happy to be this distance away still! Taken at the Color Run Sunshine Coast. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/it-s-a-race-it-s-a-race monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-qN6LjLN/0/CxJHCbTSmbwCkn7wP3DxsnD9MhrgVnCdPKGZHPXsB-1776120203-O/i-qN6LjLN.jpg It's a Race! It's a Race! Reindeer take off from the starting gates during one of the reindeer races at the 2013 Sami Easter Festival in Kautokeino, Norway. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/jellurgal-welcome monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-dm9SsDB/0/CvFzMG3RNmbsQ8Nk3VGM5dg4XW58Ffftwqxhz45F5-1776120202-O/i-dm9SsDB.jpg Jellurgal Welcome One of the four aboriginal dancers that welcomed us to the Jellurgal Aboriginal Centre at a beach on Tallebudgera Creek. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/levitating monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-83zvthS/0/NCShmkZwDKpLWgc2CxfrsRFK6RqNLH6cfNfVGXkx-1776120203-O/i-83zvthS.jpg Levitating A shot from the "freezing water droplets" practical in the photography workshop I attended in 2008. I think it looks like she's practicing levitation! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/levitating-clouds-of-purple monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-79rNtbQ/0/FWST8stNpQfRJfD6X3ZzXTZQvCc78rF55495bQhC8-1776120202-O/i-79rNtbQ.jpg Levitating Clouds of Purple My brother participating in the Color Run Sunshine Coast. Purple was definitely one of the best colours! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/ooh-i-won monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-DSBhBb9/0/8SXksgK4kxFKWrZK2KPtbDGTxS5bJNgrZpjxMJ3m-1776120203-O/i-DSBhBb9.jpg Ooh, I Won! A man attending the auction looking on very happily. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/out-of-the-shadows monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-rzCQ6P2/0/DcNHJP2J3SnxGkL9fNkZ9DZbLDBwnchLHZL2gDf8z-1776120203-O/i-rzCQ6P2.jpg Out of the Shadows Shot on Ilford Delta 100 film using a Nikon F100 and fading afternoon light through a window. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/pensive monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-4DtmmPw/0/Ln2sBpKSBq9ZM5LK6C7zsCgH44NcD34XKTPGkhKM-1776120203-O/i-4DtmmPw.jpg Pensive One of the many fantastic entries into the brush & sponge competition at the Australian Body Art Carnivale 2012. Artist: Orly Snir https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/raining-yellow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-qtNQmJW/0/nm8r6C5Vs4bNL5xpztCj7JwPBNswwhnBggqCq66d-1776120203-O/i-qtNQmJW.jpg Raining Yellow It really was raining colours at the Color Run Brisbane. Such a fun event! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/sea-of-hands monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-cvmMKqg/0/CVs9279pFBnKCcMhd64psCC996zp5jkj22TVH23xq-1776120203-O/i-cvmMKqg.jpg Sea of Hands A sea of colourful hands after one of the many colour throws done at the end of the Color Run Brisbane. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/the-death-stare monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-jrMh856/0/DTPpVTpmWZcgF88gVG66srXQrcSTvZfqBhWWz2BS6-1776120203-O/i-jrMh856.jpg The Death Stare Rafa death staring at a ball as he clawed his way back into his first round match at Roland Garros 2013. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/the-eyes-of-chaos monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-Bq6vCr4/0/C3vKH8KxgD9s5B5Zz59sKwwQSfmNsvPgzn6mRNjhn-1776120203-O/i-Bq6vCr4.jpg The Eyes of Chaos https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/the-miniature-waterfall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-5RM2CbK/0/Dqfsgw8mfsn5gpd2xkWwhpFhQ9nHZw53PtMG69XW3-1776120203-O/i-5RM2CbK.jpg The Miniature Waterfall I took this shot during an exercise at a photography workshop that I attended in 2008. It was great fun and it kicked off even more of a photography obsession! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/the-observers monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-ZCT5dWX/0/DCdz5BvdcTW7pPDKGBHRBgXG6BZJfZGWzKhQnvWs7-1776120203-O/i-ZCT5dWX.jpg The Observers Anzac Day weekend this year was absolutely manic and included a spontaneous camping trip to Somerset Dam. Luckily, someone was hooning around in the mud in a Commodore wagon so everyone gathered on the edge of the campsite to watch, giving me some great silhouettes! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/the-photographer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-sq46Z99/0/Cn9WJ3HXbT7kqPpZgjrDXCWKwQ34ZBfpWQLphX4pz-1776120203-O/i-sq46Z99.jpg The Photographer My "little" brother, captured on the Cleethorpes Front during the kite festival on the May bank holiday weekend. This is such a Philip expression as well! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/the-right-way-to-start-the-weekend monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-Q78pQsJ/0/CD9VpFdxcnhHRvMb6zfWKG593X38wSHB3chWdwqFn-1776120203-O/i-Q78pQsJ.jpg The Right Way to Start the Weekend Not a bad way at all to spend a Friday afternoon in Brisbane! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/the-trademark-serve monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-bdwvNwd/0/CLzwjj7c3CBp2Lj8mqLvhgsczLk3D6FHd6KqSf5MP-1776120203-O/i-bdwvNwd.jpg The Trademark Serve I'd always wanted to see Goran Ivanisevic belt out his trademark serve live. I may have only gotten to see him when he was playing in the seniors in the Australian Open in 2013, but that was better than nothing! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/trademark-rafa-forehand monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-hPXGb8M/0/8FWTHLwBkhzcxVS98fKRnFDTSPNRKPvBVPBR4rXh-1776120203-O/i-hPXGb8M.jpg Trademark Rafa Forehand Rafa cracks a forehand during practice before his first round Roland Garros match in 2013. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/under-the-mask monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-SXgzMLb/0/sCHtkhnKqzTVqXL2wMqD38ckZTm2WvV94fczL6Vx-1776120203-O/i-SXgzMLb.jpg Under the Mask https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/underneath-the-paint monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-czSPjHf/0/DzGKtkQ86pLxR7Qn9wW58J2gMPC6zxn7wNHk2GxZF-1776120203-O/i-czSPjHf.jpg Underneath the Paint One of the many gorgeous entries under the "Dreams and Nightmares" theme at the 2014 Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/victory monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-MDLW9NF/0/FRsL63Cqwj4kcQqGCPSr949X74DBj8c3T5tCKNWSG-1776120203-O/i-MDLW9NF.jpg Victory! The French crowd jumps out of their seats to cheer for Gael Monfils after he squeaked through his first round match at Roland Garros in 2013. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/visions-of-eucalypts monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-T7hVh9N/0/Cs9p68k3gDtvZWmcD7XjzrHZp4phqRS4WjDvNZcTX-1776120203-O/i-T7hVh9N.jpg Visions of Eucalypts I shot this macro of my eye while I was standing in a large eucalypt forest that I stumbled upon on my way home from work. I probably shot about 10 different angles before I managed to get a bit of reflection on the iris! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/voodoo-priestess monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-SL3BMnz/0/wCLXVgpbqQKG3pzB8mZMMjHX9BdHnmKHjLsfF2HS-1776120203-O/i-SL3BMnz.jpg Voodoo Priestess A voodoo priestess stalks the catwalk at the Australian Body Art Carnivale. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/we-want-you monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-C9QDqDc/0/pgctk6nGdTtgqnKpPX6XbzKsZFbsCkmHHhcKS5r5-1776120203-O/i-C9QDqDc.jpg We Want You! The amazing body art work of Kelli MacAlpine at the Australian Body Art Carnivale. This artwork won second place in the airbrush competition and the model, LeeLu, got best model of the day. Completely deserved on both fronts! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/people/why-the-long-face monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/People/i-GdDvCNV/0/DnvWr9sddj4t6tJg5qTSsFm2SWb4zWSDSw8RKGFZG-1776120203-O/i-GdDvCNV.jpg Why the Long Face? Going to see the men's finals of the inaugural Brisbane International was the last installment in my insanely busy weekend. The singles final was a three-set thriller won by Radek Stepanek. While the doubles final didn't provide quite the same drama, it was entertaining for another reason: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I like watching him play because he always seems to enjoy himself on court. Even when he was complaining to the umpire, he was laughing! I like this shot because he looks so sad while he's holding a trophy (for winning with Marc Gicquel)...but he's actually about to burst into laughter! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/perchtenlaufen/chasing-away-winter-with-fire-and-tridents monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-5bj8Bw6/0/FMbw8FdvJXVFddNTDRBxq4VGWL7vBVtKFrmrBJgGz-1776120203-O/i-5bj8Bw6.jpg Chasing Away Winter With Fire and Tridents Itter Perchtentreffen 2024 -- what a night! Salven Pass was the second of many perchten "passes" to perform on the night, and I will never forget the echoing of the drums or the tone of their howling horns as they chased away the evil spirits of winter. It was absolutely one of the most fascinating and entertaining festivals I have ever witnessed. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/perchtenlaufen/look-mom-he-s-breathing-fire monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-8ZDFSpv/0/Cz5sbKvNKsQz9zzLtVPmcfdBXf6wP4FwrmCr6fnHs-1776120203-O/i-8ZDFSpv.jpg Look Mom, He's Breathing Fire! The crowd looks on at the sheer spectacle of Saida Pass' performance at Perchtenlauf in Rattenberg. Throughout the first week of December, groups (or "passes") perform in Perchten events across Austria's Tyrol region. We went to many of these shows over the course of three days, but the ones in Rattenberg -- a charming city on the banks of the river Inn -- were our absolute favourites. I won't be forgetting the din of all the drums echoing off the walls of the city anytime soon! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/perchtenlaufen/the-night-of-the-perchten monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-8dHKLM9/0/T5VHK8GJCv5xK2fX6mpFjNCcWjFmBWvCTjbbDvMX-1776120203-O/i-8dHKLM9.jpg The Night of the Perchten It may seem like a normal night in the alpine town of Rattenberg, but if you look a little closer, you may see the spirits of winter being chased through the streets... https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/perchtenlaufen/the-perchten-arrive-in-scheffau monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Perchtenlaufen/i-vPKjkPG/0/DtfLdGHCgDrqgkmTMcvw2w34SQqVK5B7sBwsSfQCt-1776120203-O/i-vPKjkPG.jpg The Perchten Arrive in Scheffau The spectacle of Perchtenlaufen in Tyrol is something that has to be seen to be believed. The shadows of horns projected on the walls, echoing of drums, the off-key horns, the bells, the explosions...all contained in between the wooden buildings of Austrian mountain towns (with the entire town's fire brigade on standby just in case). I would go back to see it again in a heartbeat. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/asian-cityscapes/standing-tall-above-the-helix monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Asian-Cityscapes/i-9pNS2nq/0/FdWm3TdKWKHdJFqkHjk7rswWxVDjmwrLdHdrQd7FC-1776120308-O/i-9pNS2nq.jpg Standing Tall Above the Helix Marina Bay Sands has always fascinated me. Its cantilever design dominates the Singapore skyline and is complemented by the equally out-of-place -- but equally as fun -- 'Helix' bridge below. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/asian-cityscapes/the-view-from-the-skypark monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Asian-Cityscapes/i-LN42r7f/0/FWJFMBZz7mw34TwgzhcKjvfJNrdr2NMLZS5LR8nbH-1776120308-O/i-LN42r7f.jpg The View from the Skypark The Marina Bay Sands Skypark and the Singapore skyline. I was just mesmerised by this view and could have taken lots of photos from all different angles -- that is, if I'd been allowed to use my tripod! I saw plenty of people covertly trying to use theirs but there were too many staff in this area so I didn't even try. Instead I set the camera to ISO 4000 and did my best with what I had! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/a-dark-and-stormy-night monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-NfSTGPp/0/KPx967PRZ3KcLz8CVnxWsfZqCnrcLCsWd5QQrLTF-1776120215-O/i-NfSTGPp.jpg A Dark and Stormy Night Last year, my mom and I spent a day in London taking in the sights. She was even nice enough to shiver on the Westminster Bridge as I took this photo on a cold, stormy January night. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/breathtaking-bradda monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-RMnLHL8/0/FNTw2BBMfhdmszz4rvhFzGxRhNLFrHMw96tpPvMWC-1776120214-O/i-RMnLHL8.jpg Breathtaking Bradda Bradda Head, a headland that juts out into the Irish Sea just outside the seaside town of Port Erin on the Isle of Man, is a breathtaking place. I say this not only for its spectacular natural beauty, but because it will also take your breath away if you sprint up the hill trying to get there before the perfect afternoon light disappears behind a storm brewing on the horizon! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/cliffs-clouds-and-currents monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-VVDwvSB/0/CXpb2t5QnGbXNCVT4CGNZsZVwvKJZBMgTZ7mbmxDg-1776120214-O/i-VVDwvSB.jpg Cliffs, Clouds, and Currents A fantastic late summer's afternoon on the spectacular, cliff-lined Glen Mooar beach on the Isle of Man. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/clifftop-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-SHJWRJN/0/CvLZch9MG43JsNHRhrJt7sbqp8VBQQ5VQrpK9XVnS-1776120214-O/i-SHJWRJN.jpg Clifftop Sunset The sun slowly sets over the famous Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare on Ireland's west coast. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/clouds-over-callanish monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-WNxMwTq/0/DgNCHFkfjF9vZdTZS7MCP9LXgVgHwngZG5JX4sW45-1776120214-O/i-WNxMwTq.jpg Clouds Over Callanish Puffy clouds float over the standing stones of Callanish on the Isle of Lewis, giving it more of an otherwordly feel than it already had, especially given the people walking around the site chanting in unknown languages. A very interesting place to spend the morning :) https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/donegal-skies-alight monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-Xxxqm3d/0/DtzphqNmPMSDRqR9gLKR9HpNWNC3x5DLR5tVWRkF8-1776120214-O/i-Xxxqm3d.jpg Donegal Skies Alight My days on the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland often didn't finish before sunset. On this day, though, my decision not to stop in the Connemara on the way north turned out to be a good one. I arrived in Bundoran with enough time to settle in and then head out to the harbour to witness this stunning sunset, which was easily the best sunset I saw in Ireland (and that's saying a lot, since the sky seemed to be filled with colour every night)! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/giant-s-causeway-in-pink monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-Bb63R8N/0/C8PKnNx3WGXwhz9g9sbWqxpJXfkBnvnHZmz3gVRDH-1776120214-O/i-Bb63R8N.jpg Giant's Causeway in Pink The perfect hexagonal stepping stones of the Giant's Causeway leading down into an ocean glowing pink under a fiery sunset. This UNESCO World Heritage site absolutely lived up to my expectations. It's such a different place from nearly every other seascape I've seen before. The basalt columns form perfect staircases so you can clamber all over the rocks, and even in near darkness, I felt perfectly comfortable hopping from one to the next. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/in-sunshine-the-waters-are-sleeping monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-DrdpRgw/0/C59Q68sG5bNWWx722RM785bhhJ4pZ5kMcbDMLLwcX-1776120214-O/i-DrdpRgw.jpg In Sunshine the Waters Are Sleeping From a perfect morning walking the banks of Loch Lomond. A light fog hung over Ben Lomond on the far side of the lake, and the sun slowly burned through it to light up the lake in golden hues. As a local who stopped for a chat said, "It's beautiful, isn't it? Aren't we lucky?" https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/magic-on-the-kingsroad monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-ppwLx75/0/Rqkcvp4kSFv3cGr29CxttVnkDtXKTcdNn35JwDhF-1776120214-O/i-ppwLx75.jpg Magic on the Kingsroad Location: Dark Hedges, Antrim, Northern Ireland I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at the Dark Hedges early on the last morning of September. A thick mist hung over the entire Causeway Coast that morning, and as the sun fought its way through the fog, it lit up the road through the Dark Hedges. (These trees were planted along a boulevard by the Stuart Family in the 1800s that have since grown over the road and linked themselves together, and are most famous for their role as the Kingsroad in season 2 of "Game of Thrones.") This was the most magical place I visited during my four-month stint in Europe, and since I spent a lot of time in the Nordic countries and the rest of Ireland, that's no mean feat! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/magical-morning-at-the-dark-hedges monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-SNP5Rqc/1/bLxbNrhB7qwmsPKd9kq5F2tSZ7rWXdFLsn4g6FW4-1776120214-O/i-SNP5Rqc.jpg Magical Morning at the Dark Hedges Location: Dark Hedges, Antrim, Northern Ireland I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at the Dark Hedges early on the last morning of September. A thick mist hung over the entire Causeway Coast that morning, and as the sun fought its way through the fog, it lit up the road through the Dark Hedges. (These trees were planted along a boulevard by the Stuart Family in the 1800s that have since grown over the road and linked themselves together, and are most famous for their role as the Kingsroad in season 2 of "Game of Thrones.") The result was almost the exact image I had imagined in my head when I planned a photo shoot here. Rarely does a shot work out that perfectly, but this spot lived up to -- and in fact, far surpassed -- all of my expectations. If I hadn't head breakfast waiting for me at my B&B, I would have stayed and soaked in the magical feeling for much longer! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/moody-morning-at-the-dark-hedges monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-vWhscMp/0/nqFQD2VfB9QzwsrPBcd5KQPBHgpfJVJjjr6KbLqd-1776120214-O/i-vWhscMp.jpg Moody Morning at the Dark Hedges I couldn't believe my eyes when I arrived at the Dark Hedges early on the last morning of September. A thick mist hung over the entire Causeway Coast that morning, and as the sun fought its way through the fog, it lit up the road through the Dark Hedges. (These trees were planted along a boulevard by the Stuart Family in the 1800s that have since grown over the road and linked themselves together, and are most famous for their role as the Kingsroad in season 2 of "Game of Thrones.") This is the moodier version -- and as much as I love the colour version, I feel like the sepia tone has a very different and unique feel to it. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/morning-on-the-loch monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-pxgb8vz/0/CzcXMZQPvR3fP3Kqd8hPkv2KXRnnrMJQ8G9fd86h2-1776120214-O/i-pxgb8vz.jpg Morning on the Loch The sun peeking over the hills and lighting up a new day at Loch Lomond. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/niarbyl-evening monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-hD6XjH7/0/CTdZPTGNT7kqFqZmjmzvs5mSxmqqkQPdN4PMq79Wt-1776120214-O/i-hD6XjH7.jpg Niarbyl Evening The cliffs of Niarbyl Beach on the Isle of Man being lit up in gold by the sun slowly dipping towards the Irish Sea. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/perfection-on-dalmore-beach monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-t5LZC2N/0/W67rfhmtH7f254TnXxj3mhtfCsmcMBnSVQxFSC9d-1776120214-O/i-t5LZC2N.jpg Perfection on Dalmore Beach Go ahead, guess where in the world you might find this beach. ...I bet you didn't guess Scotland's Outer Hebrides, did you? Well, that's where we found it -- on the Isle of Lewis. It's called Dalmore Beach and is absolute perfection. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/put-it-in-a-frame monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-dXHXgxC/0/DGk4KXcdX9VvdMn7rM4C6TfBQZSBZC4FpCrfmtfLr-1776120214-O/i-dXHXgxC.jpg Put it in a Frame It's always luck of the draw when you only have one day to visit a location. Will it be pouring rain? (This is Scotland, so the answer is usually yes). Will it be the best colours you've ever seen in the sky? You never know. Luckily, my morning at Loch Lomond was much closer to the latter, and the calm waters of the lake only added to the amazing scene. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/ruins-of-the-past monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-ZBsPTJ8/0/FGxLGKc55GrRjWFvJqfvnJz26LtZpBsM6vRXwD7X4-1776120215-O/i-ZBsPTJ8.jpg Ruins of the Past On our trip to Scotland, James and I passed through St. Andrews. Since we played a game of golf for him, I got to visit the castle and cathedral. Unfortunately, I couldn't go down the mine/countermine (whose entrance is just below the keep in this shot) because I couldn't walk very well from knee surgery...but that meant I got a bit more time to take photos! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/scotland-in-may monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-WHfjrCB/0/RRCsSKhXdZNsjF8gk5HhMc2J7c5c6QhdtFWjx2bN-1776120215-O/i-WHfjrCB.jpg Scotland in May We woke up to rain on our morning in Stonehaven, but by the time we were leaving Dunnottar Castle, it looked like this! I thought this was a beautiful representation of Scotland in May -- decent weather and lots of gorse! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/st-andrews-cathedral monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-Rj3Gf4d/0/NNtXwpFR89M6r9mCrXZdm4vRPpQvs7wCqQJHfmJ3-1776120215-O/i-Rj3Gf4d.jpg St Andrews Cathedral Part of the majestic ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, once the largest cathedral in Britain and now a large ruin that takes up a good portion of the eastern side of St Andrews. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/standing-at-the-top-of-scotland monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-qS4mt2f/0/DvcZwGGJxrpsjTjTLzZs3gVCdtfhxv67pwFwpsfn9-1776120214-O/i-qS4mt2f.jpg Standing at the Top of Scotland The cliffs at Duncansby Head, only a few miles away from John O'Groats in Scotland's far northeast, towering over the sea below. They were a great introduction to the sort of landscapes we were saw in Orkney after our short ferry crossing to the islands later that day! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/stunning-slieve-league monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-9Skh5fs/0/Dr24zFZNsRHprG7wJJ46MWdxLc9rcNmnrzLfDdFx5-1776120214-O/i-9Skh5fs.jpg Stunning Slieve League The towering cliffs of Slieve League in County Donegal. When I stayed in Bundoran, I was told that I had to visit this spot, even though it was a bit off my planned route heading towards the Giant's Causeway. It was absolutely worth the detour though. Very few tourists made it to the top of the cliffs, and I thought they were even more impressive than the more famous Cliffs of Moher to the south! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/sunbeams-and-sailboats monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-XhxQ9gm/0/v8dPLLLm6vbjQ7v4gDPrPN6zrstj3r3XgqGs23kh-1776120214-O/i-XhxQ9gm.jpg Sunbeams and Sailboats Crazy clouds, sunbeams lighting up the mountains, sailboats sailing past...what a welcome to the Isle of Mull. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/sunrise-over-the-harbour monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-QBP8Kdt/0/CLWDqH8NmpbmWc3xzZZSVgq9dwRbJSF97nXD4LN9K-1776120214-O/i-QBP8Kdt.jpg Sunrise Over the Harbour August sunrises in the Scottish Isles are early, but it's absolutely worth the early start to see this! Portree Harbour was quiet, broken only by the squawking of the occasional seagull and the sound of a boat starting off and motoring out to sea; it was a calm way to start a day of touring around some of the most frequented tourist spots in the Scottish Isles. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-butt-of-lewis monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-nzfXr4K/0/D33Lf5w5Lpbpmq36fhhnD5FWcVBZVfWVnGQG5BKfw-1776120214-O/i-nzfXr4K.jpg The Butt of Lewis A couple stands on the cliffs at the Butt of Lewis -- the tip of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides -- looking out into the wild Atlantic Ocean beyond. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-dimpled-hills monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-qnVcnDH/0/FCzGLnS7LTKGm4f2wScf9Hb6jsbVX9mHWDgH5cnzd-1776120214-O/i-qnVcnDH.jpg The Dimpled Hills Just when I thought my day driving the Ring of Kerry was winding down, I came across this view and had to jump out of the car yet again. What a perfect Irish landscape! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-eerie-ancient-forest monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-SjLH4xv/0/DH8BBjFDhMC4wtwzVMt8BVvMfjv9gQr87csw9tGgB-1776120214-O/i-SjLH4xv.jpg The Eerie Ancient Forest A surreal morning walking through the ancient Caledonian forest of Rothiemurchus. A thick fog lay over the entire area when I arrived an hour before sunrise, and as I walked through the forest to the nearby loch, the dawn light began to unveil trees ever further in the distance. It was eerie, yet awe-inspiring. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-everlasting-beauty-of-sligachan monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-6W8z4FS/0/CZtqpqK8kJm7VMGJ6FCn7GwtSx7Jwc99MKSFsK2Ct-1776120214-O/i-6W8z4FS.jpg The Everlasting Beauty of Sligachan Dipping your face into the Sligachan River is said, in myth, to give you everlasting beauty. That may or may not be the case -- you'll have to ask the few people on my tour who were game enough to put their head in the ice cold waters -- but the river itself certainly has its own everlasting beauty! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-final-cascade monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-QgBnfhk/0/CF5MwPRNWRztMwmZtbJ4gcHXmtcxzxxr3mxmfcW9v-1776120214-O/i-QgBnfhk.jpg The Final Cascade Water cascading through the rocks at the Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park. This waterfall is easily accessible via a short track from the main road, which is at the end of the famous "Ring of Kerry" (at least, if you're driving the loop counterclockwise). https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-first-sunrise-of-the-new-year monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-SJ76Jvr/0/MjmTwGHtgmbFpFTMCGqrqmWRThsbjXXM6wrBZJp4-1776120215-O/i-SJ76Jvr.jpg The First Sunrise of the New Year It would have been a shame to miss the first sunrise of the new year, especially because the sun doesn’t come up until around 8.30am in this part of England! I was lucky because the sun eventually broke out of the clouds on the horizon just as I was nearing the pier, which resulted in one of the best views I’ve ever seen of the Cleethorpes front! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-golden-skellig-ring monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-kkrdnRP/0/DkNPRkqPbWqkVBPXFMFC334hNMprFWVpkcmDwp8n6-1776120214-O/i-kkrdnRP.jpg The Golden Skellig Ring The gorgeous, craggy coastline of the Skellig Ring, a short loop off the popular Ring of Kerry road in Ireland's County Kerry. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-home-of-the-fairies monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-cpWZmjM/0/CN4dQmLgthC7HTMHxMh8sPF5dqtdQGVt49NdjzwNc-1776120214-O/i-cpWZmjM.jpg The Home of the Fairies The famous Fairy Pools of the Isle of Skye. While going in the morning wasn't the best for light, it was certainly the best time of day to go if you want to beat the crowds. We were some of the first people there and it was great to be able to see it without a rush of people around us. After all, that's how the fairies would have liked it! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/the-outpost-in-the-irish-sea monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-2pcwwqR/0/FNhh9C8HrWn2mcpnjk9RZXtqNC6PxgBW4sMfpPP5T-1776120214-O/i-2pcwwqR.jpg The Outpost in the Irish Sea The Milner's Tower stands high on Bradda Head, looking like a small outpost jutting out into the wild Irish Sea beyond. Not a bad place to start my photography adventure on the Isle of Man! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/this-is-earl-s-court monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-9qjhdRP/1/FCXqRhxGcDVWRrC55W97Nv6ZrppJqZFthq9LKCMmj-1776120215-O/i-9qjhdRP.jpg This Is Earl's Court After going out for a day in London, I arrived back at Earl's Court Station just after dusk. It seemed like a perfect time to get some shots of the Tube -- the only problem being I didn't have a tripod! Good thing there were a few chairs I could balance my camera on. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/britain-ireland/westminster-by-night monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Britain-Ireland/i-rPQcbmJ/0/D5NztG2nnfSVNCNr7NWzRvXrnQtvNSr8bCZ2dNLmN-1776120215-O/i-rPQcbmJ.jpg Westminster by Night The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben lighting up the Thames on a stormy night in January. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/a-beacon-in-the-fog monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-CGc2SXc/0/cSpJ2zGFfWDrr5MV8xLmttPnVcbM59FprGsj4zZ4-1776120215-O/i-CGc2SXc.jpg A Beacon in the Fog It was no surprise that my first photo shoot in San Francisco featured a lot of fog; after all, that's what the city is known for. What was interesting, though, was the way the fog dramatically changed this scene, shot from the Embarcadero, between nights: on this night, the view was much better in black & white, which emphasized the almost film noir feeling, while the next night was still foggy but much more suited to brilliant, poppy colours, as seen in "A Not Too Foggy Night." https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/a-not-too-foggy-night monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-n7JXp36/0/C7QrVBdFTZhK7vhV7j6LmLP76pNzqTJdJdx39Rxmr-1776120215-O/i-n7JXp36.jpg A Not Too Foggy Night After a day of shooting around San Francisco and the Marin Headlands, we were disappointed to find that the customary Golden Gate Bridge viewpoint was completely fogged over -- but luckily the fog didn't reach as far as the Bay Bridge! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/admiration monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-STVh9MD/1/CfvGf89ZkGbhSt2FDJtzfnCWwD3dkjvMGKvx4XF5X-1776120215-O/i-STVh9MD.jpg Admiration Visitors at San Francisco's Fort Point look up in admiration as fog rolls in to San Francisco Bay and across the Golden Gate Bridge. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/big-sur-dreamin monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-kmJnfKM/0/CQ4SX3NWsn2QNB87PnjtDPLCSc8kXbF6kKtmCn6hV-1776120215-O/i-kmJnfKM.jpg Big Sur Dreamin' McWay Falls was one of those places I knew I had to stop at on my road trip through Big Sur. On a day of stunning scenery, seeing the waterfall in the golden light of late afternoon was an absolute standout. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/dusk-on-the-jagged-west-coast monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-6gzdPvT/0/FZcZdkQs96nkpv46CPCGtMCnBKQrbGGk5WzL593zs-1776120215-O/i-6gzdPvT.jpg Dusk on the Jagged West Coast One of my goals on my California road trip was to watch the sun set over the ocean each day, since that's something that you can't see on the east coast of Australia. So far, I'm 2 for 2 -- last night we watched it set at Huntington Beach, and tonight we watched it set the ocean alight just to the left of the mountains in this shot. It was gorgeous, but surprisingly cold -- especially with the strong winds that seemed intent on pushing us around the beach! Luckily my brother didn't get too frustrated with me and stuck around (while freezing) so I could grab this shot just after sunset. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/fogged-out-at-rodeo-beach monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-gNhzdHt/0/CGKdszvHCkBrPbrvcfN4VkmkC7fS4mkCm8ZFfdNFT-1776120215-O/i-gNhzdHt.jpg Fogged Out at Rodeo Beach We were supposed to get a stunning view of sunset from Rodeo Beach on San Francisco's Marin Headlands...but instead, we got pea soup fog. It still made for an interesting sight though! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/footprints-by-the-sea monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-DmdtbFw/0/CTC52WqprsjGD6CxVgF6VNgV4BHcPPLQqPSvKcCJk-1776120215-O/i-DmdtbFw.jpg Footprints by the Sea Footprints in the sand at Huntington Beach narrowly avoiding being washed away by the incoming tide at sunset. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/golden-gate-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-rxtVtkT/0/KjccNSjcKF26PX8r6TJsQMjMqvjJTRf4qzcPzrZG-1776120215-O/i-rxtVtkT.jpg Golden Gate Sunset Since we were staying on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge, it was a quick drive up to Battery Spencer so we could watch the sunset. As we rushed up from the parking lot, the sky turned pink and orange over the Marin Headlands behind us and lit up the entire sky -- even creating a rainbow over Alcatraz, which is just to the left of this photo. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/golden-mcway monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-cG3KnLC/0/C6BJtPZf2mKspCcWPvPcFfnbpZrqXtJ9vhhHw6pGL-1776120215-O/i-cG3KnLC.jpg Golden McWay Golden light illuminates McWay Cove and McWay Falls just before the sun dipped below the horizon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/julia-pfeiffer-burns-view monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-Hp7bqXW/0/MFBZmwBwt8WmK7GRCjKn6tWQW8nzbb2hQ7dCFfq4-1776120215-O/i-Hp7bqXW.jpg Julia Pfeiffer Burns' View On the McWay waterfall track in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, you get an amazing view of McWay Falls plummeting over the cliffs and onto the beach below. I found it very hard to tear myself away from that view, but I had to so I could move further up the track and watch the sunset over the ocean. What a perfect way to end the day. I'm a bit jealous of Julia Pfeiffer Burns, who used to live in this area and got to see this view whenever she wanted! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/lighting-up-a-foggy-night monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-Lw5Mp7T/0/FZHXXm46RmfSnzMJHtvcsgPz8wsFdcFs2w6vhVkgc-1776120215-O/i-Lw5Mp7T.jpg Lighting Up a Foggy Night The Bay Bridge in San Francisco on a foggy September night. While other icons in the area were totally obscured by this fog, it was bright enough to shine through. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/lombard-light-trails monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-nGzKjQL/1/CGSN3MZ4w74nGxHjkT5RQjRMQb2FZBCXW4z8HsCV9-1776120215-O/i-nGzKjQL.jpg Lombard Light Trails This was definitely a trying night for photography, since the fog did its best to cover various landmarks and generally caused annoyance by covering our lenses in water droplets every two minutes...but we still all had a blast. I got this shot while hiding in the bushes on Lombard Street (I wasn't game enough to stand on the narrow street with cars passing by me). The light trails are actually from two cars following each other closely -- hence the many distinct streaks going around the corner. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/pacific-coast-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-VdSww8n/0/DNLmR6CSrDzBgRnHjHCvBTfT49LCTps3nCGgztwDZ-1776120215-O/i-VdSww8n.jpg Pacific Coast Sunset I don't know if there are many things more relaxing than watching the sun slowly dip down into the ocean along a gorgeous stretch of coast like this one. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/shippin-up-to-san-fran monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-fqxMdTF/0/DQrm3zsjNkWRmJBCBrx7xzpNRgwhqC2zGxh7Fdftc-1776120215-O/i-fqxMdTF.jpg Shippin' Up to San Fran I just got my first roll of black & white film developed and I was happily surprised when there were 4 decent photos on it! I took this one on my day out with my mom & some family friends during my recent trip to San Francisco. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/stormy-coachella-sunset-jpg monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-XjWgc5z/0/CNnswbzb4Lz7BXQLZ5P8RxppGtmDgqcJjhN3ZGSwZ-1776120215-O/i-XjWgc5z.jpg Stormy Coachella Sunset.jpg https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/sunset-fireworks-over-marin monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-bfxkWkv/0/Ct2hKnzwXVLVVhCsv2RcRVNrtq9XNKfrTKFTBCrnX-1776120215-O/i-bfxkWkv.jpg Sunset Fireworks Over Marin The clouds explode into colour over the Marin Headlands, taken from the Golden Gate Bridge lookout at Battery Spencer. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/sunset-on-the-windy-west-coast monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-t6HXz9c/0/C4KQBzL3tNjkJXjzdv4kWpP4bLGtdVHtzFgV6C3HQ-1776120215-O/i-t6HXz9c.jpg Sunset on the Windy West Coast Foamy waves roll in to Pismo Beach on a wonderful -- but very windy -- spring evening. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/the-big-bridge-over-big-creek monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-K5LcD7Q/0/w3DdSwLH4TfKwq6BshdGj8BXg6dHL7jTZL6bQcjn-1776120215-O/i-K5LcD7Q.jpg The Big Bridge Over Big Creek When people talk about Big Sur, they always mention the Bixby Bridge. I hadn't heard of this one -- the Big Creek Bridge -- though, and I thought it was in just as gorgeous a setting as the Bixby Bridge further north! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/the-deserted-beach monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-PM3stT6/0/8PkLVsNtsKVm64R3jc6s6xQstgSJ38xv47VqWPn6-1776120215-O/i-PM3stT6.jpg The Deserted Beach One of many deserted beaches along the coast of Big Sur -- the difference here being you could actually get to this beach (if you owned the private property it was a part of). This was one of many equally spectacular views along the jaw-dropping Pacific Coast Highway in Big Sur. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/the-house-at-the-end-of-the-world monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-NprsFgr/0/GdnVpDGLTnPTXTt9dKGwzkjLB4GpBX4vHBwZQ5QD-1776120215-O/i-NprsFgr.jpg The House at the End of the World What a windy place this spot would be to live! This house is part of the Point Bonita Lighthouse at the entrance of San Francisco Bay. Apparently it was the last manned lighthouse on the California coast -- and boy would it have been cold, given the wind that was whistling through there on a beautiful day in April! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/the-lights-of-the-bay monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-DBLWV5h/0/DjRQmQNFzt2B7qVBSJDfhhBTcgDVmrvvR83SrVX84-1776120215-O/i-DBLWV5h.jpg The Lights of the Bay San Francisco as it began to light up for the night. The city lights lit up the lingering clouds much better than the sunset ever could! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/the-not-so-dark-underbelly-of-huntington-beach-pier monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-3FRvKjR/0/Dk3QqpCwNmR6g6sbskXJ7QPtGsrrDXXm7CCrRFvfH-1776120215-O/i-3FRvKjR.jpg The Not-So-Dark Underbelly of Huntington Beach Pier Huntington Beach was certainly a busy place, even on the Tuesday morning we spent there. Beach volleyballers jumped around in the sand nearby as surfers clad in wetsuits braved the waves on both sides of the pier. I liked standing underneath the pier though, watching the waves crashing towards me as the noise of the world around me died away. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/the-scraggly-tree monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-fvtLtDr/0/37BMWrqcsSK82xLHx8qPRgqgCjsGtF5QfZCVRCvh-1776120215-O/i-fvtLtDr.jpg The Scraggly Tree A scraggly tree stands in Mount San Jacinto State Park, high above the California desert and Palm Springs. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/california/the-tide-rolls-in-at-point-lobos monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/California/i-GRcQZ6d/0/6cMqJzJ3W2DfKKCF3nBBpSvCgh3tsb3XtpqJDDhS-1776120215-O/i-GRcQZ6d.jpg The Tide Rolls In At Point Lobos Waves crashing onto the rocks and creating awesome patterns in the rock pool below. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/busy-dubrovnik-from-above monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-Dfj35nN/0/CRjDm2QKnPQ5SntdzxnLqWCJQm6Zcq926qrHNNtRZ-1776120215-O/i-Dfj35nN.jpg Busy Dubrovnik From Above The busy harbour of Dubrovnik, complete with large cruise ship, as seen from above the red roofs of the city on the city walls walk. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/cruising-up-to-makarska monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-xTp4MNn/0/DTG2ZRFxgjHtkpVKvXjS7vnKq4mTj3VHRmjkXHjzW-1776120215-O/i-xTp4MNn.jpg Cruising Up to Makarska A gorgeous morning on the Dalmatian coast as we make our way north to Makarska. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/fun-in-the-bay monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-z4JmCnm/0/CQFhHvzcP2vsTNpkDZkV3P3GtwGdWpkhWSzGv2C3Z-1776120215-O/i-z4JmCnm.jpg Fun in the Bay After kayaking from the main island of Korcula to this smaller one in the harbour, it was definitely time for a dip in the crisp, clear waters of the Adriatic. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/love-lock-walk monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-JshBLMj/0/CVsZW284JXkxW4TwcbDdJXV7rbgrpv44khzCtPZFS-1776120215-O/i-JshBLMj.jpg Love Lock Walk Love locks line the walkway along the Adriatic at Sveti Petar in Makarska on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/marco-polo-s-town monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-Q377FLM/0/DMgMMT6wGgmdnNj78f5Hb6nKLF7J6nBk7Frhnw5Sn-1776120215-O/i-Q377FLM.jpg Marco Polo's Town The red roofs of Korcula on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. This town is said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/parasailing-over-paradise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-DB5t7f6/0/FSFF4DKLSdq9qMsWG5kvdrnv4sPDZzXNxRQgqbFmq-1776120215-O/i-DB5t7f6.jpg Parasailing Over Paradise A lone parasailor floats high above the Adriatic Sea near Makarska. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/peeking-out-on-the-adriatic monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-jbBwwQc/0/2dH3Rnhf8sc2WsMXWgKTgf3b2KnT6z3VMcdQfJ3Z-1776120215-O/i-jbBwwQc.jpg Peeking Out on the Adriatic Looking out one of the windows of a tower on Dubrovnik's city walls. It was a beautiful -- but stinking hot -- day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/red-roofs-blue-water monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-5n8KqdH/0/D3W36FXsSC56LjXH682dH3w4JTgLP85zr8BxCkNPX-1776120215-O/i-5n8KqdH.jpg Red Roofs, Blue Water The colours of Croatia: red roofs and the crystal clear blue water of the Adriatic Sea. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/streaky-summer-skies monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-rTj3W4q/0/bmzkfQjsmRRHqXkRW2w6DgfQRhrQ7cwdGN8jR4Qx-1776120215-O/i-rTj3W4q.jpg Streaky Summer Skies Wispy cirrus clouds high in the sky above Korcula, on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/strolling-up-stradun monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-Mntd5XS/0/7Z2smkSnCLW4VJqXB5ptTLfVRp8JkMX8FQH5Zxks-1776120215-O/i-Mntd5XS.jpg Strolling Up Stradun Some of the many visitors that pour into the Old Town of Dubrovnik each day strolling up the limestone-paved main street, Stradun. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/sunset-on-an-adventure monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-FBQpp36/0/ndB8LbBPQNqvgCC32bfTPCDfd46Njj9jFrRZzGFt-1776120215-O/i-FBQpp36.jpg Sunset on an Adventure The last sunset of our week-long cruise along the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia. Fitting that it was a colourful one to remember! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/the-emerald-dock monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-knfG752/0/FSwsV76zVwf9fxbB4XkcgGLxtXLMTvtGRcLj2SJQ9-1776120215-O/i-knfG752.jpg The Emerald Dock Sail Croatia boats all lined up at dock in the emerald waters of Trstenik. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/the-jewel-of-the-adriatic monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-qhgGmgS/0/Cg9pnqGHnfr2JHvgdNHdHjbpZZ2bgWB2fxB8pqrQJ-1776120215-O/i-qhgGmgS.jpg The Jewel of the Adriatic What an amazing town. I walked the walls of Dubrovnik and stood on the shores of the Adriatic, but I still think this view, seen from Fort Lovrijenac, was my favourite one of Dubrovnik. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/the-walls-of-dubrovnik monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-PRGWJMt/0/CWHXjfSJksHqvDdBcvJmb653BVTvct8WZdTC8N82D-1776120215-O/i-PRGWJMt.jpg The Walls of Dubrovnik Walking the walls of Dubrovnik is one of the most touristy things you can do in the city, but for me, it was also one of the most enjoyable. Not only did I spend half of my walk on a Game of Thrones tour learning about how the city had been used as the backdrop for King's Landing, but I also got to see stunning views of the city's red roofs and of the Adriatic Sea beyond. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/croatia/trstenik-reflections monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Croatia/i-NqGL5Zh/0/3MVN5TWbWszmpJVnmdc58D8fJ8rsW7hX3PV4mdbM-1776120215-O/i-NqGL5Zh.jpg Trstenik Reflections The gorgeous view that greeted us as our Sail Croatia boat sailed into harbour at the tiny town of Trstenik. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark/an-autumn-walk-in-the-woods monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-5xqJGpm/0/KT3vXxHXhLBsTWspc88FKspncgPfr7jGKBccZK8Q-1776120214-O/i-5xqJGpm.jpg An Autumn Walk in the Woods Autumn in Denmark tends to be rainy and gray, which makes the colours seem that much more brilliant on the sunny days. And these colours were brilliant indeed. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark/autumn-illusion monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-p4nwNqQ/0/FCvNMT5wpLLsxz33ZWDxk6wjnJVJCJ3JXBgpjG7Nw-1776120214-O/i-p4nwNqQ.jpg Autumn Illusion On first glance, this looks like a tree full of autumn colour. And it was...but its branches were high overhead, well above the top of this photo. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark/frozen-in-place monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-6fFtZQv/0/DpSwzqHqVN3m4PwMB3T7n6Rrq8PhHZhTgntxxwGfC-1776120214-O/i-6fFtZQv.jpg Frozen in Place It didn't take long during the cold snap that enveloped much of Europe last week for Vejle's fjord to freeze. These rocks along the shoreline broke the waves just enough that the ice around them had a splintered, shattered look that gave way to a much more glazed look the further from shore it got. It was quite an uncommon, and beautiful, scene. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark/golden-glow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-5PxPpBn/0/DTLwS5wxVbvwJrm8JhL4cH7bJcGPD9R6kb8NJJsGJ-1776120214-O/i-5PxPpBn.jpg Golden Glow The gorgeous golden trees of Danish autumn, their colours popping in the sunlight on a rare non-rainy day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark/green-and-gold monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-nZGCvnR/0/DxvP3TkwW245FCxz7DDHpHkZpwRwjqrtpc4JCXkgG-1776120214-O/i-nZGCvnR.jpg Green and Gold Golden hour lighting up the algae-covered rocks along Vejlefjord on a brisk but beautiful March afternoon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark/seeing-red monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-qNKJM8V/0/CpK82PWRx8qJ6HcPZQVx3sGH6r6tf3kpFZ9hvJGNq-1776120214-O/i-qNKJM8V.jpg Seeing Red One year ago, the solar storm of October 10, 2024 caused spectacular auroras around the world. Here in southern Denmark, we clearly saw pinks and greens dancing over the fjord. The most impressive part of the show, though, was the brilliant red -- a colour I had never seen in the aurora before. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark/vivid-vejlefjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-2rPDSWw/0/DSJgFdXD9xxcF4W24jZmkcBshJ9wkxKwmpjpL3PVX-1776120214-O/i-2rPDSWw.jpg Vivid Vejlefjord The solar storm of October 10, 2024, was a sight to behold across the world. Here in Denmark, the entire sky lit up in greens, pinks, and reds that danced the night away long after we should have all been asleep on a work night. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/denmark/you-ll-find-me-under-the-bridge monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Denmark/i-hTpTdSH/0/Dzg8cjgRSTmpFsskbTSjt5ntNV7WRT2rDrqBK8nDP-1776120214-O/i-hTpTdSH.jpg You'll Find Me Under the Bridge Sometimes I feel like the town I live in is too small -- after all, it has 1.1 million less people in it than the next smallest city I've lived in. But on nights with big solar storms like the one on 19 Jan, it's great to know that I can drive for 5 minutes and be in a place dark enough (and with an interesting enough foreground!) to get photos like this one. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes/colourful-costa-brava monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-VX3TcGq/1/jgctc32RbKWk2Rj4F49mf7TTz6N87BvHcCPz6f7M-1776120309-O/i-VX3TcGq.jpg Colourful Costa Brava It was this view that truly made me realise that I was in Spain. Such a colourful place! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes/evening-in-prague monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-2SW9btH/0/CdHdHnVDW3cr7Xxnz2J7GCTnj7SB7vWt3NnCGBrWR-1776120309-O/i-2SW9btH.jpg Evening in Prague Dusk falls on the Malá Strana area of Prague, as seen from the top of the tower on the western end of the Charles Bridge. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes/golden-hour-on-the-trocad-ro monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-Dcf3R8F/0/MkGwtsMK57KzbHjqLCc39HSCSgGrbDxCcXNz3qPP-1776120309-O/i-Dcf3R8F.jpg Golden Hour on the Trocadéro Much of my time in Paris was spent at Roland Garros, but I made a concerted effort to see some of the sights of Paris on my way to and from the tournament. On this evening, I stopped at the Trocadero and strolled towards the Eiffel Tower as the sun set on a glorious spring day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes/late-spring-in-amsterdam monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-VtDHFH8/1/mzwNcbNpMNShk9rZDLrPWfJx5KgdVRfC6nVGbmMZ-1776120309-O/i-VtDHFH8.jpg Late Spring in Amsterdam I loved strolling along the tree-lined canals of Amsterdam. What a stunning place to spend a late spring day! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes/midnight-on-the-river-inn monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-vg3NbGS/0/Dh7HGc9pkfLpcwJXDhBM654HVHzjFdQ2tVSmfn528-1776120309-O/i-vg3NbGS.jpg Midnight on the River Inn The medieval city of Rattenberg lighting up the banks of the River Inn, late in the evening on a winter's night in the Alps. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes/sparkling-at-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-7NCXxD5/0/DTr44ZGrnxmR2p6T77xQpdSnhk22gwnxNkPnGsKFf-1776120309-O/i-7NCXxD5.jpg Sparkling at Sunset Even though I'd seen the Eiffel Tower's light show the night before, I headed back to the Tower at sunset. I'm so glad I did, because watching all of the lights in the Tower slowly turn on was one of the most awe-inspiring sights I saw in Paris...followed closely by the light show that happened about 10 minutes afterwards! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes/storms-descending-on-the-louvre monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-fLJGSFX/0/VqksQ64GfCJrFP835HBWkjKg97tXQgGMt4n6gXMX-1776120309-O/i-fLJGSFX.jpg Storms Descending on the Louvre As the myriad tourists posed with the Louvre's pyramids, a storm slowly moved in over Paris. We were drenched about 10 minutes later! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/european-cityscapes/the-sideways-path-to-the-place-de-la-concorde monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/European-Cityscapes/i-bp63Gms/0/jxX3fBQ95NL59jmB7WpdjGrXcxQtmKW2w2JfQdxf-1776120309-O/i-bp63Gms.jpg The Sideways Path to the Place de la Concorde It's hard to find a bad angle from which to photograph Paris, and some of my crooked photos of the city, like this one of the Rue de Rivoli, are my favourites. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/a-beacon-in-the-long-night monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Z7hn5rL/0/D8dGp65fWdgbtLGtkcdbbq3RmJ8DKKNVTBsP9np6q-1776120216-O/i-Z7hn5rL.jpg A Beacon in the Long Night The brilliantly-lit Helsinki Cathedral stands against the darkness of the long winter nights of Helsinki in January. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/a-cabin-in-the-sun monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-d5Q6WBn/0/CPmrWhWCvwdRcBkpFxx6GJT79dcBfGMTvNHfGSXzk-1776120216-O/i-d5Q6WBn.jpg A Cabin in the Sun For me, it's hard to think of summer in Finnish Lapland without thinking of Lake Menesjärvi. I hold my memories of my time there dearly; not only was the weather absolutely perfect, but the lake was one of the best places I found for watching the midnight sun traverse the sky in what should have been the dead of night. Can you believe I took this photo only minutes before midnight? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/a-little-spring-at-67-n monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-wZPVdG3/0/Cgtjj4sjK3xCMWVrpqbNxJJt7c4pQDKzRnk4bKvk8-1776120216-O/i-wZPVdG3.jpg A Little Spring at 67ºN A gorgeous little spring babbling through the forest just in front of the lodge where I stayed in Äkäslompolo (Lodge 67ºN). https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/a-painting-of-the-midnight-sun monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-b4RRFw3/0/FWS6QFsKkBgkXpL6Jv94kGnRTj4KxGM24pXzmrHxR-1776120216-O/i-b4RRFw3.jpg A Painting of the Midnight Sun Light ripples flutter across the surface of the Ounasjoki underneath the midnight sun. It really did feel like I was standing in a painting. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/a-rain-of-lights monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qDvgQgT/0/DW5Thx35xvs3LfTmx56Q9KB3M84dVXnH8JfMC2Vr9-1776120216-O/i-qDvgQgT.jpg A Rain of Lights It was hard to tell where to look when this storm of northern lights started. They were all across the sky, moving so quickly that it was hard to keep up. What a great way to finish up my trip to Lapland! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/a-seat-in-the-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-J8cCd2G/0/DGwN98F2Cb6nxqD7W9sB8B3QX3pR9tPQLkD7DWG6J-1776120216-O/i-J8cCd2G.jpg A Seat in the Clouds Location: Lake Menesjärvi, Lapland, Finland How gorgeous is this? I was lucky enough to get perfect weather for two nights running during my stay on the shores of Lake Menesjärvi, and it could not have been more beautiful. The midnight sun -- to the right of this frame -- made the clouds light up in different colours for hours on end and the lake was so still that it looked like this jetty was just floating in the sky. This image and many more will be featured in my upcoming "Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer." If you'd like to learn more, head over to www.lapland.travel. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/aurora-dancing-above-inari monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-KJHjzG7/0/ChJ8htCSdSBBsKRhpXZ7nMDHCRjg8XJVKmf9xpd7V-1776120216-O/i-KJHjzG7.jpg Aurora Dancing Above Inari The first time I saw the northern lights, they appeared as a dim green line across the sky. The second time I saw the northern lights, in Inari, Finland, they danced across the entire northern sky. It was amazing. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/aurora-ignites monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-kzVjMpx/0/FNvh2hs4m2qFH4fRcMDZpKQZt627mz5GGHWwcvHj4-1776120216-O/i-kzVjMpx.jpg Aurora Ignites Northern lights dancing in the sky over Kätkävaara, Finland, collide with light pollution in the distance, creating what seemed to be the aurora igniting in front of our eyes. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/auroraburst monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vzVqR8s/0/MjGhd5XV3xRmrXVvMfLsVPBfGDn9hXXksNHxXxjZ-1776120216-O/i-vzVqR8s.jpg Auroraburst The aurora seemingly emanating from one of the cabins at Galdotieva, near the Norwegian border in Enontekiö, Finland. Even under the full moon, the northern lights completely lit up the sky in green. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/bonfire-on-the-kemijoki monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-LH6TM9r/0/sjzbgsKJGkJxzLPrGw6gvgJ3dTxWcVVnLdhzSNWW-1776120216-O/i-LH6TM9r.jpg Bonfire on the Kemijoki A bonfire burns on the shores of the Kemijoki in Rovaniemi in celebration of midsummer 2015. It was a perfect night for midsummer too; it was perfectly clear and warm (at least, for Lapland). I took this shot around 12.30am and the sun had only just dropped behind the hills after reflecting perfectly on the river. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/calm-on-the-kemijoki monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vJhpwFq/0/CSxjcWzQCkH4tw55BdNvCXj3fwMRFBtMV6wqZTXwj-1776120216-O/i-vJhpwFq.jpg Calm on the Kemijoki The calm waters of the Kemijoki under the gorgeous, late-night skies of midsummer's eve. Rovaniemi was a great place to spend my first midsummer holiday! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/cascading-kiutak-ng-s monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-26BHNhx/0/CF676Vm4DPH6LHbCxB3zbLcPdhcX65PSKDvhMmwF-1776120216-O/i-26BHNhx.jpg Cascading Kiutaköngäs The Oulankajoki, in flood after a good winter meant lots of snowmelt, races through Kiutaköngäs Falls in Oulanka National Park. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/city-of-lights monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-rSmGp4B/0/FDMwdJBq4R6b4hgsc4C7dc7nRMpKf9DcCWFSjfHfK-1776120216-O/i-rSmGp4B.jpg City of Lights You're often told, when you head north to the Arctic Circle, that you'll need to get out of the city to see the northern lights properly. That's often true, as the light pollution blocks you from seeing the full strength of the aurora, but sometimes you're lucky enough to see a scene like this right behind your hotel. Taken in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, behind the Hotel Kultahippu. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/cobblestones-and-the-cathedral monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-G78mXFW/0/b9zgjsBKVmPHtD3XKqphFBwbBVvLJ5tQTHfF8p37-1776120216-O/i-G78mXFW.jpg Cobblestones and the Cathedral One of many old stone pathways around Helsinki, this one leading up to the gorgeous (and very colourful) Uspenski Cathedral. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/colourful-midnight-waters monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-MZTw4Bx/0/CMpfrw5cLcCR9f85GPNDFrt8bDhhB9NC8p7zV7W25-1776120216-O/i-MZTw4Bx.jpg Colourful Midnight Waters The clouds over Lake Ahvenlampi in Luosto explode into colour just after midnight. These were probably some of the most spectacular midnight sun colours I saw on my whole trip, since they filled the whole sky...and the lake below as well! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/crossing-the-border-and-the-sami-bridge monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-G2Bgwnt/0/FPHhWXP8q8TCRG8X7tD64VdJqMw8jr6SSNc4w4Qh4-1776120216-O/i-G2Bgwnt.jpg Crossing the Border and the Sami Bridge The Norwegian-Finnish border, marked by metal signs bearing the seal of each country, found mid-way across the Sami Bridge in Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/cruising-the-lemmenjoki monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-m6mMtCX/0/C6mxrdj5vmbbhNvssNG68svS73JvgsgBzGcTfChwv-1776120216-O/i-m6mMtCX.jpg Cruising the Lemmenjoki A group of hikers heads into Lemmenjoki National Park for a day of walking. The boat cruise helps cut off around 19km of walking so visitors can see the best parts of the park (such as Ravadas Falls) in a day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/finland-in-a-nutshell monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Db4m7c4/0/DCPKBtwSwBmQQMMC4wbLLzRq3M8CVqJCDpWL8s7x5-1776120216-O/i-Db4m7c4.jpg Finland in a Nutshell To me, this photo is Finland. Sure, in winter there would be a bit more snow on the trees, but regardless of the season, and regardless of where you are in Finland, there are always tall trees all around you, and there is always gorgeous light. Here, it's the light of the midnight sun, captured around 12.30am near Lake Ahvenlampi in Luosto. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/fishing-at-midnight monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-VWSWHKw/0/FJVMKg6vRcsKjqtfXxF6tQwXnJNDhnvSJgqpf4CGT-1776120216-O/i-VWSWHKw.jpg Fishing at Midnight Can you find the two fishermen trying to catch a late-night snack? Their reflections are easier to spot than them! I don't blame them for being out so late and enjoying the outdoors. After all, that's what summer in Finland is all about -- provided you have enough bug spray, that is! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/hailing-pielpaj-rvi monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-CCz2pLF/0/KJcXcBJm23PGLd3KgBnRmDsBLxgqWXCM24cGr9Tv-1776120216-O/i-CCz2pLF.jpg Hailing Pielpajärvi The gorgeous old Pielpajärvi Wilderness Church, located about a 4.5km hike away from the town of Inari. This church used to be in the centre of the main settlement in Inari. Now, the only part of that settlement that is left is the Wilderness Church, which has fortunately been kept in great condition. And why do I say "hailing"? Well, that menacing cloud arrived very shortly after I took this photo, and before I knew what was happening, hail was bouncing off the ground all around me! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/helsinki-day-at-helsinki-cathedral monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-LnpfFjp/0/DVtQWZ9shSpxwcdLjnjH8RqhshH8BVkTMFGG9333W-1776120216-O/i-LnpfFjp.jpg Helsinki Day at Helsinki Cathedral People milling about on the stairs up to Helsinki Cathedral. The weather couldn't have been more gorgeous for Helsinki Day 2015! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/hiding-behind-the-facade monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-DBb93Gh/0/C6WbwRJn7CtjqbtJz4jJT92zQ4FCR7tNS2rtHbqhd-1776120216-O/i-DBb93Gh.jpg Hiding Behind the Facade A figure peeks out from behind the front facade of Helsinki Cathedral on a golden summer evening. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/home-is-a-glass-igloo monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-4JC3FHG/0/C6BxKHVphCvhRjnWKVcwmLkNHM4wnFW3x2qV5rGZH-1776120216-O/i-4JC3FHG.jpg Home is a Glass Igloo One of many lines of glass igloos at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. This was definitely my favourite accommodation in Lapland -- what can beat having a bed under a glass roof while the northern lights dance above?! Curious about what it's like to stay in a glass igloo for a night? Read more at http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/idyllic-finland monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-sqVtnc4/0/kRrWwVfwm7TFB2k9jT4NQthVPNMdDX3XzbJkS6pC-1776120216-O/i-sqVtnc4.jpg Idyllic Finland A perfect sky, a lake with a tree-lined shore, and a red cottage. That says Finland to me. All it needs to complete the perfect Finnish scene is a sauna! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/inside-the-glass-igloo monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vqQfQdV/0/FBCLZ4v47XpwgJ9qhmGdLFQfPCRJbN6RNjPsCL57L-1776120216-O/i-vqQfQdV.jpg Inside the Glass Igloo I was lucky enough to see the northern lights many times while I was in Finland last year. One of the most memorable nights I had was the one I spent in a glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. Not only did I not have to go outside in the -38ºC temperatures, but I could just adjust my bed to the perfect angle and watch them from bed! Read more about my night in the glass igloos on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/is-this-the-real-life-is-this-just-fantasy monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-RVpvCTn/0/FVVTwdhSc2Vf55zTw9tcbJP7jR8tdD45ZWtzSWWTm-1776120216-O/i-RVpvCTn.jpg Is This The Real Life? Is This Just Fantasy? It was hard to believe just how awesome the clouds looked with the (almost) midnight sun behind them over Lake Menesjärvi in Finnish Lapland. Unreal. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/isokuru-reflected monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-RGKCn7Z/2/DSqzHZsfcDKNhbp4XFHBNcdq2tt4MKchX5T2Qv3tj-1776120216-O/i-RGKCn7Z.jpg Isokuru Reflected Reflections of blue skies over the Isokuru Gorge in Pyhä-Luosto National Park. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/it-came-from-the-trees monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Cmz5cKN/0/CQkzGZk5VBbkHDbzdbjcj3WSJXv836wKG88pnLXzS-1776120216-O/i-Cmz5cKN.jpg It Came From the Trees A swirling green and purple aurora appearing just behind the trees that line Lake Palojärvi in northwestern Finland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/j-niskoski-in-july monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-93mFbgC/0/Ctj8ch3QHZfGXS5DzNQPXFS4VNpRzTVg9zbRzSNcX-1776120216-O/i-93mFbgC.jpg Jäniskoski in July The rapids of Jäniskoski on the Juutua River near Inari in early July. Quite the difference from how I first saw it in mid-March! This image and many more will be featured in my upcoming "Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer." If you'd like to learn more, head over to http://www.lapland.travel. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/lapland-light monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6mM3mJ2/1/FNNwzmDV6sFjPP52ZRDFC3n6cZ7GrTkwXmVvpT8qL-1776120216-O/i-6mM3mJ2.jpg Lapland Light Which would you rather do: walk through an autumnal forest (like in my last photo) or stroll down a snow-covered lane in the everlasting golden hours of Lapland's winter? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/lapland-skies monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-CgsHbQN/0/FJBXV2jc94JZPPsBvBvpNxwsp2pQ7cZgMgBG3P2mN-1776120216-O/i-CgsHbQN.jpg Lapland Skies The sky lighting up in gold a few hours before sunset as I walked along the Juutua River in Inari. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/lone-pine monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-crBQ6s6/0/CjfwkHCkzwgVDW77H4g68zWqp3gFqJ4JDKksFBFV3-1776120216-O/i-crBQ6s6.jpg Lone Pine It's not often you find a lone tree in Finland -- it's usually surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands, of others -- but this pine on top of Lampivaara Amethyst Mine was one of those few loners. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/looking-out-from-kaunisp monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-p3fzd9W/0/snX4M6cDd7HBL4Q3SgF3w9FSHPcrQwvzVdcsGFzp-1776120216-O/i-p3fzd9W.jpg Looking Out from Kaunispää The lookout at Kaunispää hill, just outside the town of Saariselkä and at the top of one of their many ski runs. It was a lot quieter here than in winter, when snowmobiles were constantly whipping by on the track below! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/making-tracks monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-SDDnTtS/0/FG7hQvkWRGP7PbdZVmLKWFt8Cz7FVB5chdZ29Fqx3-1776120216-O/i-SDDnTtS.jpg Making Tracks Snowmobiles, walkers, and skiiers before had beaten down a wide path alongside the Juutua River in Inari. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/menesj-rvi-at-midnight monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-49Thwqq/0/nNspZn4ktSkTfHJSB9R7H5MvtqHLXbG8vm9XK59K-1776120216-O/i-49Thwqq.jpg Menesjärvi at Midnight The midnight sun sitting well above the horizon at Lake Menesjärvi, near Lemmenjoki National Park in Finnish Lapland. I had two nights here and both nights had amazing clouds and midnight sun. I couldn't have asked for more! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/menesj-rvi-s-crazy-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Mz62Srv/0/CsVbhKN7tsCHhtsjP2LL6tSTM5K2PrZWTmNH5tTkL-1776120216-O/i-Mz62Srv.jpg Menesjärvi's Crazy Clouds Insane clouds with an equally insane reflection, seen on a perfectly still night on Lake Menesjärvi, near Lemmenjoki National Park. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/midnight-on-midsummer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-sbGhGTW/0/DTRzcVwj9vs8NK5q4xBBkvxHRmBBwCBGLk8txCZLh-1776120216-O/i-sbGhGTW.jpg Midnight on Midsummer The midnight sun shines over the Kemijoki River during midsummer celebrations in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/my-corona monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-JWzHgm7/0/S7grdBvGt2L5pqHwVWhwjgtpSXK88LhB2XcnwVZN-1776120216-O/i-JWzHgm7.jpg My Corona https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/nighttime-in-a-glass-igloo monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-RQNqxZ7/0/CRnCqCc6zstpm85DSmfVFKxz7r8nLG86NPFknkrPx-1776120216-O/i-RQNqxZ7.jpg Nighttime in a Glass Igloo This was my view from inside my glass igloo at Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finnish Lapland. My stay there was a highlight on my itinerary and it absolutely did not disappoint. How could it when I could lie in bed taking photos of the northern lights when it was -38C outside?! http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/dozing-off-under-the-northern-lights/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/on-the-arctic-road-again monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-bJX8QVW/0/FBQMZ5mfgjhqWb2xzqjWzvtRJfKX92Vxp7L83Nt3w-1776120216-O/i-bJX8QVW.jpg On the (Arctic) Road Again One of many forest-lined roads that snake through Finnish Lapland -- this one just north of the Arctic Circle outside Kemijärvi. Unlike many sections of road in the area, this one was not covered in reindeer seeking shelter from the ever-present mosquitos! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/oulanka-rush monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-JXdKsR8/0/sNNPwhQD8s5hw5zn98qGD4VQ6MdCCH2tj25vNg3J-1776120216-O/i-JXdKsR8.jpg Oulanka Rush The rush of Kiutaköngäs Falls in Oulanka National Park. And this is the river in relative calm -- a month before I captured this, the river, swollen with snow melt, would have completely engulfed the rocks I stood on to take this shot! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/pink-green-gold monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-gKMVVFN/0/cd7rdsswgT8cdTDBXkfFNpBhgJtKwb74jVTwXCQ8-1776120216-O/i-gKMVVFN.jpg Pink, Green & Gold On March 17, I was lucky enough to witness a huge northern lights show, courtesy of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun a few days earlier. We saw nearly every colour the aurora appears in as it danced from one side of the sky to the other. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/pristine-paloj-rvi monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-FtsZ863/0/DMHzcbzHWj4wztsNqGhg9V2Cqzdk3tSx3XBfJp8S3-1776120216-O/i-FtsZ863.jpg Pristine Palojärvi White blankets the forests and the wide expanse of Lake Palojärvi beyond. Finnish Lapland is such a magical place in winter. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/reflections-of-the-finnish-forest monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qCgrRMg/0/DvDHntMZndqmWC4xWVD3TGRsJGTT7qsRZZ5T8c5KR-1776120216-O/i-qCgrRMg.jpg Reflections of the Finnish Forest The trees of Oulanka National Park -- freshly green after a long winter -- reflecting in the calm waters just upstream from Kiutaköngäs Falls. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/reflections-of-watercolour-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-fDnmL3L/0/Pdtdk34hhVBk8bSWrqbjWMRDmLrzwzDHzhFz68SG-1776120216-O/i-fDnmL3L.jpg Reflections of Watercolour Clouds Two nights at Menesjärvi, two nights of clouds like these. I would have been happy staying for many more nights! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/roaring-ravadas-falls monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-dB9RxmL/0/C5VMcBhrSrhFGM3F9NPmG2gzzFmtZXLXMw6b5h76d-1776120216-O/i-dB9RxmL.jpg Roaring Ravadas Falls Standing just above Ravadas Falls in Lemmenjoki National Park, the largest national park in Finland. This waterfall was stunning from all angles, and in the hour I had before the boat came back for the return trip down the Lemmenjoki River, I had to rush around like mad to get as many different compositions as I could! I also used my new Lee Filters Big Stopper for this shot, and I'm pretty happy with the results. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/rocky-ravadas monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-7zvjjKJ/0/DwvVZPkM4DGkBNN4bQzLdKdpcng9ZkMz7q66LWFP6-1776120216-O/i-7zvjjKJ.jpg Rocky Ravadas The rocky stream leading out of Ravadas Falls, one of the most popular attractions in Lemmenjoki National Park, Finland's largest national park. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/salmon-fishing-weather monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-3mtZSLM/0/DBr2q7Hd2TzBtTCHpZDDkZgXsDbTpVtqmTr68wnZ2-1776120216-O/i-3mtZSLM.jpg Salmon Fishing Weather Actually, I'm not sure that most fishermen would consider this good weather for fishing. But when I'm fishing (or a passenger in a fishing boat, as I was here), I like it when it's clear with views like this all around! Taken on the Teno River around 10pm on a beautiful summer evening in Utsjoki. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/sky-explosion monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-XND3bgD/0/pM6nNhZdqr53DVBh5f7b6CPnQNd98KS42ctLVKGS-1776120216-O/i-XND3bgD.jpg Sky Explosion The clouds over Lake Ahvenlampi in Luosto explode into colour just after midnight. These were probably some of the most spectacular midnight sun colours I saw on my whole trip, since they filled the whole sky...and the lake below as well! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/smiling-sky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-GJjMhg4/0/DZsGW934KgvJF96rkMrRjPbKnMcmcCTGjfczZfGjh-1776120216-O/i-GJjMhg4.jpg Smiling Sky Like with clouds, it's amazing what you can see in the shapes of the northern lights. I swear I can see a smiley in this shot from the top of a hill in Kätkävaara, Finland. Can you? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/solar-storm-over-rovaniemi monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-8KzfDN5/0/m882WVrxvzP9CGbGfjLd9DWBqLdKFHT8bPR3kT4v-1776120216-O/i-8KzfDN5.jpg Solar Storm Over Rovaniemi On St. Patrick's Day 2013, a massive solar storm hit the earth's atmosphere, causing auroras as far south as Colorado. In Finland, we had spectacular northern lights all through the night that were clearly visible even in cities with as much light pollution as Rovaniemi. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/st-patrick-s-day-in-finland monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-PRrTpZG/0/DgKKDMQpSnvgBrcRF7GC2znTvj7gxpQs886L344Tm-1776120216-O/i-PRrTpZG.jpg St Patrick's Day in Finland Two years ago on St Patrick's Day, we were in for an absolute treat. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. I'm so glad that I booked in on a last-minute trip that took us to this hill in Kätkävaara, far out in the Finnish wilderness. There was no light pollution so we got to watch the amazing show until the guide forced us all back into the van! Read more (and see more photos) on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/st-patrick-s-day-party-in-the-sky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6zmRGm5/0/CnDG8bzMmw7bm4PhM6nVwKS2TMwKF7tr4sfwJVkXM-1776120216-O/i-6zmRGm5.jpg St Patrick's Day Party in the Sky We were in for an absolute treat on St. Patrick's Day this year. A coronal mass ejection happened on the sun a few days prior, which meant massive auroras when it hit the Earth's atmosphere. So glad I booked in on a trip that took us to a hill in the middle of nowhere because there was no light pollution to block the amazing show! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/summer-rush-at-lemmenjoki monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Z2Fbkjt/0/dtVNNpq6RqFwtQRdFL4rqvwR9rNffNLHhzLJ9hLV-1776120216-O/i-Z2Fbkjt.jpg Summer Rush at Lemmenjoki Ravadas Falls crashes downhill in its rush to get to the Lemmenjoki River beyond. This is an easy day trip, despite the fact that it's located 19km into Lemmenjoki National Park; boats run twice daily so you can either go and walk around the falls for an hour or have a full day to hike 15-20km through some of the best scenery the park has to offer. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-aurora-hunters monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-6Zhf6WP/0/DKCw6cW3k4jrjSrLGpPFpLB92fFLtxFqktWQs6b9B-1776120216-O/i-6Zhf6WP.jpg The Aurora Hunters One year ago today, on St. Patrick's Day 2013, a massive solar storm lit up the skies above Finnish Lapland. I was lucky enough to have booked a tour that night to Katkavaara, a nature reserve far away from the lights of any city, so we had an unadulterated view of the night sky. It was an experience that is beyond words. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-best-sort-of-storm monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Vf3JJtc/0/CWSwRFf6dfMzNHMQmZwsT2rKBKFSStqfTSptxW3MG-1776120216-O/i-Vf3JJtc.jpg The Best Sort of Storm Because there is supposed to be a massive geomagnetic storm hitting the earth's atmosphere today, here's a shot from a solar storm that I witnessed. This shot of the northern lights was taken as our guide was trying to shuttle us back down to the bus at the end of our tour. Luckily, we dug in our heels and asked if we could stay for just a few more minutes, since those minutes featured the most impressive auroras I've ever seen. They were moving so quickly across the sky, with coronas wildly pulsating above our heads, that I soon gave up taking photos and simply stared at it in awe. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-birch-framed-jetty monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-WdhqRxJ/0/C9C4WxsFPDgSgx75FBT5tcrDbcsXxLvsz3vK6xbCD-1776120216-O/i-WdhqRxJ.jpg The Birch-Framed Jetty Recently, I wrote on my blog (at http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/menesjarvi-blissful-lapland-at-its-best/) about how Menesjärvi was the perfect spot to kick back and relax on a summer holiday. I mean, how could it not be when it featured scenes like this at 11pm? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-church-of-the-forest monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-BZZBrQm/0/FbCk6r2ZNXLqzWWMXg2wkTSbKCj3rkbxkLxn7VnmH-1776120216-O/i-BZZBrQm.jpg The Church of the Forest I'm not a church-going person, but I couldn't resist this scene of amazing clouds over a wooden church reflecting the forest. Like all buildings in Lapland, the church in Saariselkä is a wooden building without many of the ornate trappings of other churches around the world, but I think that makes it even better, since it shows how in touch with nature the people of Lapland are. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-colours-of-helenankatu monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-hXc6gB7/1/CZ4p34bxbtLTLMm87TtkBzvtpWjdLKwsCNLjDN7f4-1776120216-O/i-hXc6gB7.jpg The Colours of Helenankatu The stunning colours of Helenankatu, near Senate Square in central Helsinki. It was a total accident that I stumbled upon this street in my wanderings around the city yesterday, but I'm glad I did! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-god-of-the-sky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-kvQTcK5/0/TgxqW4zrfpMMJrW6G4RsGfZMpqfRbS3k7hkdKbHc-1776120216-O/i-kvQTcK5.jpg The God of the Sky When you're watching the northern lights light up the Arctic sky, it's very easy to understand why people used to believe that they were the work of the gods. In particular, the Sami believed that the northern lights were the souls of their ancestors coming back to dance across the sky. How can you not believe them when shapes like this one appear? It looks to me like a hooded man flying across the sky with one arm extended and one at his side...what do you see? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-heart-of-yll-s monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-mMPzpnR/0/CBX62ZBvbXfZmFtrgPsCJpS6mpmj9bVHtSbMfFzWz-1776120216-O/i-mMPzpnR.jpg The Heart of Ylläs Who knew the fells of Ylläs formed a heart shape when combined with the steep slope of ? I found that out when climbing up Pirunkuru, whose name fittingly translates to 'the damn canyon,' on my trek up Kesänkitunturi. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-height-of-the-storm monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-p5qMwf7/0/Cwwq25cDGhzjPhBV5J74tQhx7Ssw2F2z7WW4NGQvq-1776120216-O/i-p5qMwf7.jpg The Height of the Storm To learn more about the northern lights, how to photograph them, and how to travel around Lapland successfully, check out my new 'Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter' available at http://www.winterinlapland.com. The people on my tour to Kätkävaara in Finnish Lapland on the night this was taken had no idea where in the sky to look. The aurora was bouncing across the sky and moving so quickly it was hard to keep track! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-jetty-in-the-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-4bHwLCd/0/Dz9KG5gTrrw7gVNqgGmvzpzdfbNjxhd6VQsFKR94K-1776120216-O/i-4bHwLCd.jpg The Jetty in the Clouds The jetty at Hotel Korpikartano jutting out in between the clouds and the equally as clear clouds reflected on Lake Menesjärvi. Such a great spot. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-last-taste-of-freedom monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-Sx9brXj/1/9bH8mJ9fdbps98Lbf8FTzgtF9Fctk4pH7krbrhFn-1776120216-O/i-Sx9brXj.jpg The Last Taste of Freedom Unsurprisingly, the majority of the rivers in Lapland were frozen so thickly by March that you could walk across them with no worries at all. The River Juutua in Inari was not one of those rivers, given it had raging rapids fighting the freezing cold (and I mean freezing, since it was -33ºC the night before I took this). Those rapids eventually lost the battle slightly further downriver. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-lone-teepee monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qm2tR7d/0/DbWSkPtzWZBKB2mKVcZ2mtC4r8RkTjxK3xfk37dt6-1776120216-O/i-qm2tR7d.jpg The Lone Teepee The sun sets over the frame of a kota (a Sami teepee) outside Galdotieva in the remote northwestern province of Enontekiö. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-mighty-teno monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-NTzLw3P/0/DDFJsRshxxJb2ckTWsL42J66tXFdV3q2skV7fr3rL-1776120216-O/i-NTzLw3P.jpg The Mighty Teno The Tenojoki (Teno River, or Tana River if you're on the Norwegian side) winds its way between Finland (on the left) and Norway (on the right). Seen from the top of Nuvvus Ailigas, one of three fells named "Ailigas" that watch over the Utsjoki region. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-most-beautiful-road-in-finland monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-5FpFjfn/0/CBGKG7NGHPcPTPKDvT8hCKQ9vp9HPwpGwG8JTW6Vz-1776120216-O/i-5FpFjfn.jpg The Most Beautiful Road in Finland The calm and perfectly reflective Teno River -- at least, until you get closer and realise just how quickly its currents are running. I captured this scene during golden hour as we drove from Nuvvus Ailigas back to Utsjoki along what is known as "the most beautiful road in Finland." https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-refreshing-waters-of-kiilop monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-V9SFnh6/0/8zMrHjZL5FsDw2BLmvjCbgDGdTdSwsXjJJvpF38h-1776120216-O/i-V9SFnh6.jpg The "Refreshing" Waters of Kiilopää Outside the smoke sauna at Fell Centre Kiilopää, one of the gateways to northern Finland's Urho Kekkonen National Park, trickles this gorgeous stream. You may not think it so pretty when you're trying to jump into it though! I jumped in after a long sit in the sauna and its 7ºC waters actually hurt. I can't imagine what it would be like in winter -- although the Finns assured me that it's "even better" then! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-sky-is-falling monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-XkJ9TMN/0/D4ph38VXfCq6TkxQMFZzhXz8JF3W57Hn66CqKHS74-1776120216-O/i-XkJ9TMN.jpg The Sky Is Falling The movement in the aurora during the solar storm on March 17 was just unbelievable. It was moving across the sky faster than we could follow it. It danced, it morphed, and at times like this one, it looked like it was falling straight through the atmosphere towards the Earth. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-slopes-of-kes-nkitunturi monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-vRPFpfp/2/FMbCCfkzrRtWmhWTd2nmLvKJjW6k7JkgQKJr4m64H-1776120216-O/i-vRPFpfp.jpg The Slopes of Kesänkitunturi The trees weren't bothered by the steep angle of Kesänkitunturi's slopes, although they were perhaps more sensible than I was, since they stayed out of "Pirunkuru" -- which in English, means "damn canyon"! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-solar-storm-and-the-radioactive-snow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-74zhbSL/0/DPqSPbkT3HwdW52VpXdH4BrwBJdGmLhjrq4KgVT7q-1776120216-O/i-74zhbSL.jpg The Solar Storm and the Radioactive Snow A solar storm on St Patrick's Day 2013 created auroras so strong over Finnish Lapland that they actually made the snow glow green! This was taken on a tour to Kätkävaara that I signed up for at the last minute in hopes of getting out of the city and really seeing the storm. I'm so glad I did! See more photos of the best auroras I've ever seen on my blog at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/celebrating-st-patricks-day-with-the-aurora-and-knee-deep-snow/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-western-sky-in-green monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-BHjzmk2/0/DMBL47fFjLBgGNKJsDVkmHhbVK2bTrVNtwDqSbrdX-1776120216-O/i-BHjzmk2.jpg The Western Sky in Green The aurora seems to fall towards the earth in the western sky over Galdotieva in far northwest Finnish Lapland. Taken at the end of March 2013 near full moon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/the-yll-s-scenic-route monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-CbgKL9w/0/ChGZXL4f3rSWbSzrNSBzpcpCd2nP5kzFLVwVR6Wx-1776120216-O/i-CbgKL9w.jpg The Ylläs Scenic Route Even under threatening skies, the Ylläs Scenic Route lived up to its name, giving tree-framed views of the fells in the distance. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/tram-in-a-hurry monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-xqCgbwP/1/bVQDCqBLWMWMH5FVDSjB7FSdJCCTPJRpm8pFDbSr-1776120216-O/i-xqCgbwP.jpg Tram in a Hurry A tram rushes down Aleksanterinkatu on an otherwise quiet winter's night in Helsinki. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/tree-on-the-edge-of-paradise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-dWPnzqG/0/DFLQzgJRSHskDRcwhDvF4KDtcN3kfmRkNcnZqhP7Z-1776120216-O/i-dWPnzqG.jpg Tree on the Edge of Paradise This night, spent on the shores of Lake Menesjärvi at Hotel Korpikartano, probably had the best clouds of my entire time in Lapland. I was lucky that they appeared on a perfectly still night in such an amazing setting! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/warm-atmosphere-but-oh-so-cold monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-VCB6rgh/0/CtdQgr7rLCdp98rgBtRRHBJfdn2RrgQ3FvzJmCG2m-1776120216-O/i-VCB6rgh.jpg Warm Atmosphere But Oh So Cold It was crazy how warm an atmosphere the SnowCastle's IceBar had...even though it was -5C and made entirely of ice! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/where-s-my-raft monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-xqbHpWk/1/CMMTJKDHZkNT4p8cZxNbFWfqzgWKWSj9nLZJ65dRr-1776120216-O/i-xqbHpWk.jpg Where's My Raft? The crush of the Myllykoski rapids on the Kitkajoki River in Oulanka National Park. These rapids are raftable but are some of the largest that commercial operators can tackle in Finland! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/yet-another-gorgeous-lapland-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-DSvBsdb/0/XcqbT9ddxkktjxMw5ZfJwfQ9JzZsnKgZJm7sfPrp-1776120216-O/i-DSvBsdb.jpg Yet Another Gorgeous Lapland Sunset I couldn't believe how many gorgeous sunsets I saw in Lapland. The sun seemed to be in golden hour for most of the day and became even more striking around sunset. What a great way to start an evening of northern lights watching! This shot was taken just outside the glass igloo village at Santa's Resort, Kakslauttanen. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/finland/zigzag monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Finland/i-qgQWVCn/0/5NbdvtHZCQc2fH8vwXC7JS9w2392mpXKTJBFXSG4-1776120216-O/i-qgQWVCn.jpg Zigzag When we first hiked 400m up a hill in Kâtkâvaara, Finnish Lapland, to see the northern lights, our guide pointed out north and told us that was the direction the lights would come from. Then we turned south and saw this! The lights stretched from horizon to horizon that night…it was stunning. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/double-the-downpour monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-smw4Kz5/0/FKsV2x2tQHhVdqhqhwGnz43R5HVB5kZdPmWNWvMLR-1776120215-O/i-smw4Kz5.jpg Double the Downpour The powerful crush of Låtefoss, just outside the town of Odda in Fjord Norway. This was such a powerful and huge waterfall that I've only managed to capture half in this photo -- there is a second set of falls hidden behind the rocks to the left. With the spray pouring off the falls and the heavy rain, it's a surprise I managed to get any photos at all! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/helicoptering-over-s-rfjorden monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-4GgNf8S/0/2tD7gpwfvJfNfbD3vD7hGMXK2NJj5TJcmpFtJgCg-1776120215-O/i-4GgNf8S.jpg Helicoptering Over Sørfjorden When I flew into Bergen the day before to meet my parents, I sat at the window seat and gazed out at the fjords surrounding Norway's second-largest city in awe. When I arrived, I joked to my parents that we should go for a helicopter ride to see the scenery the next day. Despite the fact that my mother is terrified of heights, they eagerly agreed, which is how I found myself in a helicopter over Indre Arna and Sørfjorden, just outside Bergen, the next day! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/lovely-lysefjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-5kCdTCc/0/DFsVVwD3Wt8vtC2KX2XPnGQ2xMVDWFfqtDBzvC7hC-1776120215-O/i-5kCdTCc.jpg Lovely Lysefjord When the weather in Stavanger started to clear in the afternoon, we made the spontaneous decision to drive out towards Lysebotn, the town at the end of the famous Lysefjord. We ended up driving all the way there -- including down the 21 hairpin turns of Lysevågen -- and were greeted with this golden hour view. There was even a bit of blue sky! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/morning-calm-at-the-marina monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-TcxgMLx/0/FQn79gzV4knwwnkCx9HmP3BPhCv667HPJRbvPC4Tr-1776120215-O/i-TcxgMLx.jpg Morning Calm at the Marina A gorgeous, calm morning in the coastal town of Kragerø, in Telemark on Norway's southern coast. This was a quickly chosen stop on a larger roadtrip, but man did we choose well! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/night-falls-on-bryggen monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-W4PjQ3f/0/DhHhrqGMFCtCTkNTFHTfMTf4PKmxxnFS2HvPRBks3-1776120215-O/i-W4PjQ3f.jpg Night Falls on Bryggen Night falls over the World Heritage-listed Bryggen wharves on Bergen's waterfront. I loved looking across the water during the day but I think I liked the view even more at night! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/rushing-adrenalin-at-preikestolen monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-7nsh36M/0/DxN3fg8zgKXMv8qtjWqMG8D5R9W7S7HSJGqX8WzTx-1776120215-O/i-7nsh36M.jpg Rushing Adrenalin at Preikestolen Of all the things I've done on my travels that promise an adrenalin rush, this spot probably offered the biggest -- along with a healthy dose of fear. Sitting near the edge of Preikestolen is enough to turn your legs to jelly as you look down from the ledge that sits 604m above Lysefjord far below. Even though the rocky outcrop where I captured this shot from required quite a bit of clambering across cliff faces to get to, I much preferred being here than out on the rock itself. However, that did mean we got to watch as so many other people put themselves seemingly inches from certain death! It was exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/soaked-by-steindalsfossen monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-tQgbPw4/0/CLGcfRx3MM6BH87PZQwmsNVDN7K63XjDJbBMXvtq7-1776120215-O/i-tQgbPw4.jpg Soaked by Steindalsfossen Steindalsfossen, in the fjords of Norway a few hours' drive from Bergen, was impressive both in how powerful it was and the fact that there was a walkway that let you feel the full force of the waterfall's spray! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/swooping-into-the-fjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-952KDNN/0/C8SGvhrZC4Hk6HZQ4wsKFHK25VfbrDp8sGVqcVC8D-1776120215-O/i-952KDNN.jpg Swooping Into the Fjord Just over the mountains from the city of Bergen -- Norway's second largest city -- is Sørfjorden and the island of Østerøy, which we were lucky enough to be able to see from 2,500ft up in a helicopter! The clouds parted for only a few hours that afternoon so we timed our flight perfectly as well! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/the-power-of-l-tefoss monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-VhhJVMz/0/FPWWJjHNcBTVRnTkm3MQbbRfNS9szgrh7gTf886cP-1776120215-O/i-VhhJVMz.jpg The Power of Låtefoss This waterfall, which we found in Fjord Norway on our "scenic route" drive between Bergen and Stavanger, is one of the most powerful I've seen in a long time. Standing on the other side of the road from the waterfall means having a quick shower -- there really is that much spray! To top it off: from this angle, I could only see half of the waterfall. I wasn't game to dodge cars on the narrow highway in the rain to try to capture the other half though! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/watercolour-wharves monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-9XVSbL6/0/rLp4Dd3XWwPnXQ9FZt9R6R5n6FcXcd44Bh4WrdQn-1776120215-O/i-9XVSbL6.jpg Watercolour Wharves Calm waters reflect a gorgeous August evening on the Bergen waterfront in Norway's fjords. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/fjord-norway/what-the-morning-brings monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Fjord-Norway/i-CtC4VWm/0/D4VxJzLpV7xnVxwspcMhgzzc5XTtzCRrRdN49mD7F-1776120215-O/i-CtC4VWm.jpg What the Morning Brings I pulled into Kragerø late the night before and had already been quite astounded by the beauty of the lit up little town by the sea. I was even more impressed the next morning when I woke up to this! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/germany/calm-in-cologne-cathedral monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-KpvP635/0/DknD2zX33kPjdtmTZ2fbGZ3LMK5MSFLC8sj33vqs6-1776120215-O/i-KpvP635.jpg Calm in Cologne Cathedral I’ve been to a number of European cathedrals, but I was still blown away by Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral). I was impressed by the sheer size of the building as I stood, feeling very minute, under its towering spires. It’s easy to see how construction could have taken over 600 years (it started in 1248 and finally finished in 1880) because it was such a massive undertaking. Even now, only 133 years after completion, there are reconstruction works on one of the spires (which added a lovely scaffolding to many of my photos). https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/germany/misty-bavaria monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-GwzRtRN/0/CSwtnsMdJ9CN9RFnFR5dvSZbVWWfTVQLNhT4CTkqZ-1776120215-O/i-GwzRtRN.jpg Misty Bavaria Thick mist hanging across the path to Kleiner Traithen. It gave the whole track an eerie feel, with the reds and yellows of autumn foliage framing it perfectly. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/germany/niederwald monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-2VcrgVG/0/392zhQVwxdCprcBM8qB84P969hjwhL7WTNFV5wmD-1776120215-O/i-2VcrgVG.jpg Niederwald The stunning view across the Upper Middle Rhine Valley from between the top of the gondola from Rüdesheim and the Niederwald Monument. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/germany/out-of-the-enchanted-forest monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-TzXknSk/0/FVKdcPx3cNb5jcFFZd9LcQkFzw7RLZjR445k5b5Jc-1776120215-O/i-TzXknSk.jpg Out of the Enchanted Forest Walking along the Rheinsteig between Rüdesheim and Assmanshausen, I came across this little castle. The whole thing -- the forest, the castle, the Rhine below -- felt like it was out of a fairytale. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/germany/the-golden-gates-of-herrenhausen monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Germany/i-KJDZMqv/0/C7vQd4N659Jtsw4XXZXNJ28M8d4LmZdXsdP7CVzNt-1776120215-O/i-KJDZMqv.jpg The Golden Gates of Herrenhausen I've always enjoyed visiting stately homes and gardens in England, so I was more than happy to take up my friend's offer to go to the Herrenhausen Gardens in Hannover, Germany. After some initially cold and miserable weather, the skies cleared up and we were greeted with gorgeous sights like these. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/a-hike-through-an-impressionist-painting monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Nz4Bck4/0/cgN8cBqdcqTqSZ7bLW7bmm7qLZ3mCHGqgRZ9WhTB-1776120304-O/i-Nz4Bck4.jpg A Hike Through an Impressionist Painting For the entire afternoon I spent in Landmannalaugar (in Iceland's Highlands), I kept looking around thinking how the landscape couldn't possibly be real. The rhyolite mountains shifted from browns to reds to greens and back again, and seemed to change with every turn of the head. It really did feel like I was in an impressionist painting; I wonder if the two hikers in this shot felt the same? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/a-lucky-glimpse-of-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-sQjgqFT/0/CNbkmNkhSN7bkRrK7CWVdjFbJ2bKgX3n5KV7CK9JD-1776120304-O/i-sQjgqFT.jpg A Lucky Glimpse of the Aurora I couldn't believe that on my first night in Iceland, I was able to see the northern lights. I also couldn't believe that I happened to wake up at 3am and catch one of the few moments of clear skies -- I had 15 minutes before the whole sky was shrouded in clouds again. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/a-sunset-at-seljalandsfoss monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-dnRnf8C/0/Ckk4zgsgFbHHvP7SDLS7wFDbntJJ8TwjLKQ84RgsM-1776120304-O/i-dnRnf8C.jpg A Sunset at Seljalandsfoss The iconic view of Seljalandsfoss at sunset. Despite the fact that we'd had a huge day -- driving on rough F-roads to Landmannalaugar, then to Seljalandsfoss and finally on to Skógafoss -- I spent my time here running around like crazy trying to capture every angle. Of all the waterfalls I photographed in Iceland, this one definitely had the most angle options as well, since you can walk all the way along the cliffs on both sides as well as right behind it. I'm glad I moved around though, since each angle seemingly shows off the waterfall in a completely different light! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/above-the-fields-of-fludir monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-DqTR8Ct/0/D9tTFcgq6vqtfCdcMsn6fxcK7cPdTxXLFj52Kn9SQ-1776120304-O/i-DqTR8Ct.jpg Above the Fields of Fludir The aurora did its best to out-green the fields of Fludir on this clear September night in Iceland. I think it did a pretty good job. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/bathing-in-the-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-SvwhSpn/0/CGR29Pjx3rS9B4sK8nhHRGqMLG8pTr7K5bV2Pbsbc-1776120304-O/i-SvwhSpn.jpg Bathing in the Sunset Bathers take in the gorgeous sunset views from Myvatn Nature Baths. These hot pools were very similar to the Blue Lagoon but significantly less crowded (and with better views)! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/black-sand-blue-ice monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-p7kLdhC/0/CrTLVGnTccxd7DZG8nPR6DB2DTSCxpDDTw6NBH55Z-1776120304-O/i-p7kLdhC.jpg Black Sand, Blue Ice A lone iceberg does its best to resist the waves trying to suck it back into the sea at Jökulsárlón beach. The black sand, blue ice, and white of the wash as the waves rushed out back to sea were a huge contrast, even in the dying light of the day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/brooding-kirkjufell monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-ZC9qw4J/0/DBXFknVXPZ6zsrd3pMSJkNwZH4QxrP2cp7Rv8TxXN-1776120304-O/i-ZC9qw4J.jpg Brooding Kirkjufell A very broody Kirkjufell standing above the rushing waters of Kirkjufellsfoss on an autumn day in Iceland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/cotton-candy-waterfall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-tcHjdRG/0/4sFkcM3cJ7NQSSbLLGjqx2cKmVBXBTD9Fgkg5FbX-1776120304-O/i-tcHjdRG.jpg Cotton Candy Waterfall The sun sets in front of Seljalandsfoss in southern Iceland, turning the entire waterfall into a giant piece of cotton candy. We were so lucky to get a good sunset on our one evening here! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/dancing-at-the-lighthouse monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-FxGQcwR/0/Dftwpm6FSqWTH38zrLDbSNRw3Z6dz7fVzsGTw8bnt-1776120304-O/i-FxGQcwR.jpg Dancing at the Lighthouse After I picked up my friend at Keflavik airport, we made a beeline for the closest landmark I knew -- the Gardur Lighthouse -- to try to watch the northern lights we could already see from the parking lot with less light pollution. It was a good choice ! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/eruption monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Xj3hppz/0/Cnx85Hn9hs4f32r8g3Qj2ZC4Nm6LhMRRHQtW2NdZM-1776120304-O/i-Xj3hppz.jpg Eruption! Strokkur, the main active geyser in the Geysir geothermal area in Iceland's Golden Circle, as it erupts. The anticipation was palpable as the crowds pressed in as close as they dared during the 8 minute wait between eruptions, and when it did erupt, it went many metres higher than most of us were expecting! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/falling-over-the-continental-divide monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-qtHB7rQ/0/CsSC8WPqf2z8VTwNGmZKJGBhGNVrMmbcnRnTr7r4n-1776120304-O/i-qtHB7rQ.jpg Falling Over the Continental Divide Öxarárfoss flowing over the edge of the American tectonic plate in Iceland's Thingvellir National Park. This national park was so incredibly impressive, and the waterfall even more so. It's no wonder that the Icelandic people used this place for the backdrop of some of their most important historical events, including the establishment of the Icelandic Parliament in year 930. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/farming-iceland-style monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-5PdXSzq/0/3VWxrJ7cvSMcNR9NWCWBSnfV4HtWXfcRmP9wtgXQ-1776120304-O/i-5PdXSzq.jpg Farming, Iceland Style I couldn't help but stop at this spot as I drove on the ring road towards Akureyri in northern Iceland. Even though I felt like I'd been stopping every 500m, it was worth it to see this picture-perfect pastoral scene. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/jon-snow-s-cave-but-not-really monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-J9hfcXf/0/vfFhTMDJtq6zrPgV8xjntLgpbCp5MKJ6bSHngGbx-1776120304-O/i-J9hfcXf.jpg Jon Snow's Cave (But Not Really) Grjótagjá is said to be the cave where Jon Snow broke his vows to the Night's Watch. It was actually only used for a few brief scenes showing the outside of the cave, but I honestly wasn't bothered whether it was a filming location or not. It was an awesome spot either way...because really, how many hot springs have you been to that are at the bottom of a lava cave? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/just-another-day-on-the-ring-road monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-6QnVQgs/0/C5DLbQJPrbNsnpwkpjnMDFnVSPkTJkX2JhWjnrBGS-1776120304-O/i-6QnVQgs.jpg Just Another Day on the Ring Road During the two weeks I was in Iceland, I drove more than 3000km to places as far-flung as Lake Myvatn in the north and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon in the south. I loved that this was just standard scenery on the ring road (the one road that circles the entire country). It made the driving that much easier! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/kirkjufellsfoss-from-a-different-angle monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-bd67Xzm/0/DN4RfzMbzqHTcFvWJ4bNDb5BVnhwvGp5wCpMjJFv7-1776120304-O/i-bd67Xzm.jpg Kirkjufellsfoss from a Different Angle A slightly lesser-known view of the famous Kirkjufellsfoss on Iceland's Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Even though the angle facing the mountain of Kirkjufell is usually the one that features in photos, this angle shows just how multi-tiered and divided the waterfall really is. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/mighty-go-afoss monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-h6kLGGf/1/Cnmh3Z4D3Lfm97dbqsLSg7K7kWqN4xSLzFLpHPrDZ-1776120304-O/i-h6kLGGf.jpg Mighty Goðafoss The massive falls of Goðafoss in Iceland's north. This had to be one of my favourite waterfalls in Iceland, partially because it had so many different viewpoints and partially because I got to watch the northern lights dance over it for hours the night before! This lookout was definitely the most difficult to get to, requiring a precarious jump across wobbly rocks just upstream from the falls. Initially I decided not to try it, but after a tour bus arrived and a number of people crossed safely, I got up the nerve and managed to get across successfully. Glad I did! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/pink-sky-pink-water monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-nCDRQGN/0/CBN4x6Cc6d6FkMMknpdvg8dwcBsMHc8ZDLvpbmNKM-1776120304-O/i-nCDRQGN.jpg Pink Sky, Pink Water It's the days that are the rainiest that often have the best sunsets. This was one of those days in Iceland -- it poured with rain nearly the entire way from Jökulsárlón to Reykjanes. Yet the sun started peeking through just before sunset, so we started looking for a place with a nice foreground looking west. Luckily, we found this spot, just in front of a lighthouse, as the skies were filling with pink! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/river-of-green monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Lb58pk2/1/DZ8hQ6mF8QdpqD5DwcZS7Sw6qCjzh7dC7PRSVS4bL-1776120304-O/i-Lb58pk2.jpg River of Green The River Skjálfandafljót, which flows out the spectacular Godafoss waterfall, lighting up green underneath spectacular northern lights. Even with the slight cloud cover, the lights were clearly visible. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/running-away-from-the-setting-sun monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-cBR2mwF/0/C7dxQ9t7swhtVTZHd3gMNqxMMrkPTB2q3RnGp4WTg-1776120304-O/i-cBR2mwF.jpg Running Away from the Setting Sun Kirkjufellsfoss, finally calm after a day of gale-force winds turned its waters into a wall of spray, under a brief splash of colour from the setting sun. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/stj-rnarfoss-in-green monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-2gzkB8n/0/Cp2hmjPG3Z3H2Dc3DjS9FXkJk3jRNvVdgwrzhSvxC-1776120304-O/i-2gzkB8n.jpg Stjórnarfoss in Green The many green hues of Stjórnarfoss, one of my favourite waterfalls on Iceland's south coast (possibly because we were the only ones there to see it at the time)! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/sunset-in-amongst-the-spray monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-Ph9Qcp7/0/DRCqNfpwhWfMSm7bZdNDH8dHrzdq3DC58chQ56nVM-1776120304-O/i-Ph9Qcp7.jpg Sunset in Amongst the Spray The sky lights up in pink over the massive Goðafoss waterfall in northern Iceland. I couldn't have asked for a better 18hrs here -- a sunset, northern lights all night, and then blue skies the next day! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/swirling-reykjanes-sky monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-vTHxCGK/0/4ZXzQ3m7WXTrt4RtMxpngWVMDSBzBJrdB9LM9Grr-1776120304-O/i-vTHxCGK.jpg Swirling Reykjanes Sky The northern lights swirl over the beach at Gardur on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula. I kind of like how a slight bump to my tripod resulted in a sky full of shooting stars too! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/swirling-sky-churning-waterfall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-X9LTbRv/0/BcG8hFDX3PX769C6Kwm3BNbG4WNJWD67LmJMnD4F-1776120304-O/i-X9LTbRv.jpg Swirling Sky, Churning Waterfall The aurora dances above the spectacular Goðafoss in northern Iceland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-big-dipper-s-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-9Qjq7z5/0/DNSnMjtk3rcSKcXWcT2fgm7qPWFK3tkcRWHvTgkpX-1776120304-O/i-9Qjq7z5.jpg The Big Dipper's Aurora The aurora dances across the sky just below the Big Dipper. I captured this scene just outside the small town of Fludir, near Gullfoss waterfall at the end of the Golden Circle. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-dance-of-the-aurora-and-the-waterfall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-MPCCHZT/0/gP5L4pHh9zfZdKVHDm5HBwLB6SsHvhp9FNvbW6n7-1776120304-O/i-MPCCHZT.jpg The Dance of the Aurora and the Waterfall The aurora dancing across the sky above the famous Godafoss in northern Iceland. I loved how it managed to defy the clouds trying to move in and hide it, since it meant hours more aurora watching for me! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-dance-of-the-boiling-mud monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-bgTLVPc/0/DVGVWMBNCBdj36CGwcqv6fdGCX4t5hjQj9WncJ8J2-1776120304-O/i-bgTLVPc.jpg The Dance of the Boiling Mud The dance of the boiling mud.💃💃 I was fascinated by the crazy patterns the mud formed as it launched itself out of the pools of Hverir. I find geothermal sites endlessly fascinating anyway, but I think people must have thought I was a bit odd with how long I stood staring at one pool! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-green-lights-of-gardur-lighthouse monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-48XtVNb/1/Fd7gHhF8qPt9tFGpFfXPR54bBBsmCQjs3Ft9MkTV8-1776120304-O/i-48XtVNb.jpg The Green Lights of Gardur Lighthouse Location: Gardur, Reykjanes peninsula, Iceland This isn't your standard lighthouse light, but hey, I think I prefer it to a simple white flashing beam! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-land-of-fire-and-ice monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-vPpQFn6/0/9vQsCh2XhNv63xvVfTzBFMZpfmQrvxpTrKHKb4xd-1776120304-O/i-vPpQFn6.jpg The Land of Fire and Ice The land of fire and ice -- Iceland -- has plenty to offer of both fire and ice, but around the Vatnajökull glacier -- which covers 8% of the island's entire land mass! -- ice is definitely in more supply. I captured this scene on the glacier lake at Jökulsárlón. It was a gorgeous spot to be as the sun started dipping towards the horizon, and surprisingly not all that crowded given its popularity! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-moods-of-kirkjufell monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-KhvB7nR/0/Cp5dZS4p5Z7cP62zrzdXqxmKfntP68JgjQ2DDk59k-1776120304-O/i-KhvB7nR.jpg The Moods of Kirkjufell Location: Kirkjufell, Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland The triple waterfall of Kirkjufellsfoss crashing down a hill in front of its namesake mountain. Even on days with moody weather, Iceland is still breathtakingly beautiful. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-purple-green-and-blue-lagoon monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-mhSXhcQ/0/9Knmb3GWLPSjR8SQzbTvwFMZ3WGHHxCw6TzNbTT4-1776120304-O/i-mhSXhcQ.jpg The Purple, Green, and Blue Lagoon Wow, how different the Blue Lagoon looks under the night sky! Even though the aurora was not incredibly bright on this evening, I still love the combination of colours created by it and the light pollution from Keflavík nearby. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-residents-of-landmannalaugar monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-zWvwpRx/0/DG2TLzQfngbckzr5z5RLgc8TZPr6zWkbzstBFsT2Q-1776120304-O/i-zWvwpRx.jpg The Residents of Landmannalaugar Fluffy Icelandic sheep dining on the grass of Landmannalaugar in Iceland's highlands. This place truly has to be seen to be believed -- the colours of the rhyolite mountains are truly otherworldly! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-waterfall-at-the-beginning-of-the-rainbow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-9nFrf2n/0/Dks4Mmfmhj4sMmM694XDLF4nZKh8ppVL7GLf7tNtr-1776120304-O/i-9nFrf2n.jpg The Waterfall at the Beginning of the Rainbow A (partial) double rainbow sprouting from the base of Skógafoss on Iceland's south coast. We got so lucky seeing this at all; as we were getting ready for the day, I looked out the window and saw a wall of clouds descending on Skogar so we rushed as quickly as we could to get to Skógafoss. We saw this rainbow for about 5 minutes before the sun disappeared and it was gone. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/the-waterfall-of-the-gods monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-L9DkDzG/0/CpxbrsqjhS4C4q8tMkSd9C6H7cTLSj29D85TzHbxm-1776120304-O/i-L9DkDzG.jpg The Waterfall of the Gods There is no doubt in my mind as to why Icelanders dubbed this waterfall Goðafoss, or "the waterfall of the gods." This was certainly a great way to spend a Friday evening and was one of the most memorable aurora displays I've seen to date! I also felt like it was quite an accomplishment to even get a night shot at ground level of Goðafoss. The spray here was so heavy that my gear was literally dripping afterwards, so trying to get a shot that wasn't obscured by spray on the lens was not easy! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/what-s-at-the-end-of-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-V7jXTh9/0/T9wxStSw6qFMqk86V8XzJXp9NrK4T5Sh3C9gzdwN-1776120304-O/i-V7jXTh9.jpg What's at the End of the Aurora? They say there's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, so what's at the end of the aurora? Because I reckon it's just over that hill in Fludir, Iceland... https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/iceland/when-sk-gafoss-turned-green monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Iceland/i-zkzHLzx/0/FZCRTGLdxFGXwJM32t7rK7qC4PTgRfbnpZPDPJtTr-1776120304-O/i-zkzHLzx.jpg When Skógafoss Turned Green My friend and I had joked that a perfect day in Iceland would include (1) blue skies as we went four-wheel-driving in Landmannalaugar, (2) a colourful sunset at Seljalandsfoss, and (3) the northern lights over Skógafoss. Seeing this meant we were 3/3 for the day! Shooting here was actually quite difficult, since the aurora was so bright and the waterfall was so dark. Trying to light paint it just resulted in lighting up the huge amount of spray coming off the falls. But really, we got to see the aurora over one of Iceland's more famous waterfalls. It doesn't get much better than that. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/italy/dolomite-glow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Italy/i-d83ZKNq/0/CLGKd9hBQ287Wc36nLcGwC7nrrJdjCb8tXLGqSh6L-1776120215-O/i-d83ZKNq.jpg Dolomite Glow The gorgeous alpenglow that lit up the mountains all around us every morning on a recent ski trip to the Dolomites. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/japan/going-up monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Japan/i-Z2Vsnxh/0/DjwFpqw5z6Q3H7N4zvmJMFhfcjk5g4gWs4PsTB6NJ-1776120215-O/i-Z2Vsnxh.jpg Going Up The snow-encrusted view from the ski lift going up to the bunny slope at Niseko Grand Hirafu ski resort. I got very used to this view since I spent most of my 5 days on this slope! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/japan/the-top-of-the-black-run monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Japan/i-9vK5HNP/0/jkvqNVbtv28Tr5Q6TFPtmsZq7JWxNCLMCKHttPXh-1776120215-O/i-9vK5HNP.jpg The Top of the Black Run After spending the entire morning on the bunny slopes with a fantastic view of Mt. Yotei, I decided to head up the Grand Hirafu gondola to get a better view. Even though the clouds had descended -- as they usually do in Niseko -- it still made for a pretty impressive sight. Plus, I got to have a few interesting conversations when people realised I was standing at the top of a ski run in snow boots rather than on a snowboard... https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/montenegro/ripples-in-the-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Montenegro/i-dntTgqG/0/DkJmk6rZ9R3DgGTb9j3h7CrqXWzvPJWstmcXTqPgK-1776120304-O/i-dntTgqG.jpg Ripples in the Sunset A gorgeous sunset seen while walking to dinner along the shores of the Bay of Kotor. The fading wake of a passing boat added even more texture to the water that seemed to light up almost as pink as the sky. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/a-church-in-a-field-of-lupins monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-ZdQq7H4/0/FFKtqSjHzwdjBvQpXKxgQnGRQBdTQwLkJ7tLRQc64-1776120305-O/i-ZdQq7H4.jpg A Church in a Field of Lupins The Church of the Good Shepherd, barely visible over a field of lupins on the shores of Lake Tekapo. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/a-crown-of-lupins monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-gLBgRV9/0/CR53zmNhm4vTMshnDVqWPNQrcZzRRmJM3J7763XDm-1776120305-O/i-gLBgRV9.jpg A Crown of Lupins Lupins blooming just above a stream running through the Crown Range near Queenstown. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/a-glacier-view-from-glacier-cottages monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-XDHKx9p/0/f2cNvHjjr96zkxBwfgxHtrhk4hFHNqpWhVh8sSkj-1776120305-O/i-XDHKx9p.jpg A Glacier View from Glacier Cottages We couldn't have asked for a better morning on our last day in New Zealand. We were lucky enough to have two sunny days out of three on the West Coast, so we got to fully enjoy the view of the mountains around the Waiho Valley and Franz Josef from in front of our "Glacier Cottage." https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/a-remarkable-sunrise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-TXBcfWT/0/CZHc4DcXJ8fw8wjMgd3czGT6SdRkx7C9FZXMLjsnp-1776120305-O/i-TXBcfWT.jpg A Remarkable Sunrise I was so lucky being able to capture this sunrise. When I woke up around 5.15am to a brilliantly pink room I realised that I was missing a fantastic sunrise over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Luckily we were staying in a hotel on the lakeshore so I was able to run across the road and capture the amazing colours. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/a-view-to-wake-up-to monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-qwjq8gp/0/C9JftTDCz6pjPTS79mCd7z6hq66bxqKXjnRGBqxQD-1776120305-O/i-qwjq8gp.jpg A View to Wake Up To The insanely blue waters of Lake Tekapo and the mountains beyond. The lake gets its colour from suspended 'rock flour' ground up by the Godley Glacier that feeds the lake. This also happened to be the view we had out the bedroom window in our holiday house in Tekapo (although it should be noted that this was taken with a telephoto to avoid the houses on the other side of the road from us). https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/akaroa-aglow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-xpTrPfP/0/GtHs63fmC3nkZx5x9q4HGH4S9MTf67dWVrMsgwHZ-1776120305-O/i-xpTrPfP.jpg Akaroa Aglow The sun sets over the harbour at Akaroa on the Banks Peninsula. I seem to have been very lucky with sunsets there -- and the gorgeous setting definitely doesn't hurt either! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/barren-lindis-pass monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-fwGtpGf/0/xDL6xGL7h27qXT88ZdTrDJr2BLPgcZVgxzbjxbdQ-1776120305-O/i-fwGtpGf.jpg Barren Lindis Pass One of the things I love most about New Zealand is how quickly the landscape can change. While Mackenzie country is full of golden tussock, the mountains themselves are all rock and snow. In Lindis Pass, which traverses the mountains on the road between Tekapo and Wanaka, the tussock carpeted everything all the way to the peaks of the mountains. It made the whole area feel a bit desolate, yet starkly beautiful at the same time. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/bridge-over-untroubled-water monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-LF8v7gZ/0/FXjzn8455CmRbH3bqXnJ6Vb5cwN9mT5LnLS7dw8Xc-1776120305-O/i-LF8v7gZ.jpg Bridge Over Untroubled Water Reflections captured on a perfectly still autumn day on Akaroa Harbour in Canterbury, NZ. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/cloudfall monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-7cTh3Zb/0/DG5mXQWMb9qgBw7fZKKkZhBSWPQs7jc9TDXjjJBFF-1776120305-O/i-7cTh3Zb.jpg Cloudfall It was mesmerising watching the clouds from our holiday house in Tekapo. They rolled over the hills in patterns, sneaking down the valleys before they evaporated back into nothingness. It was like a waterfall made completely of clouds. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/cold-feet-in-the-matukituki monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-GBSGcdM/0/DSzt9BMvKKhtktwFdzHHWQ4qbSq87F9ZKqhm5mXVJ-1776120305-O/i-GBSGcdM.jpg Cold Feet in the Matukituki All I can think of when I see this photo is how cold my feet were when I took it! I decided not to inundate my boots, so instead waded into the glacial Matukituki River barefoot. The pins and needles had me dancing on the bank for minutes afterward! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/descending-into-paradise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Vj9MJLZ/0/Dfqjm6NrNcSvS98cVSJqPZpQ34Gg9bL83x4gm83v2-1776120305-O/i-Vj9MJLZ.jpg Descending into Paradise I got this shot after a climb up a small hill on the Kaikoura Peninsula that was a little harder than I expected. I ended up having to hold on to the fence to pull myself up the steep path because otherwise, for every step I took, I slid back the equivalent of two steps on the loose, parched soil. However, as you can see, the view at the top was definitely worth it! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/dirt-roads-and-painted-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-PSchG9m/0/Dzq7xx2Rj4Gpk2tWVVg2c4Cj6WNDsQrDr8rMK5ZP6-1776120305-O/i-PSchG9m.jpg Dirt Roads and Painted Clouds The dirt and gravel of Hakatere Potts Rd stretching off into the Southern Alps of NZ's South Island. The clouds were just entrancing to watch as they swirled above. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/driving-the-devil-s-staircase monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-nMc66DV/0/dPzXNjLWT3F2rFg3vWcNrmdTN99FpnWkmkF9r7w9-1776120305-O/i-nMc66DV.jpg Driving the Devil's Staircase This section of road, stretching along the eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu, has earned itself the name 'the Devil's Staircase' due to its continuous turns, ascents, and descents. Unlike the Devil's Staircase on the Tongariro Crossing, which really did have me swearing by the end, this one was a lot of fun! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/driving-west monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-d9jkmWw/0/FXZ6JfxtHcnJcKsgpDfS6rj37dJhQfj2STgCFj3nk-1776120305-O/i-d9jkmWw.jpg Driving West Driving into a rare patch of blue sky as we neared Knight's Point on New Zealand's West Coast. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/earth-sky-abuzz monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-884mPgM/0/pkz7Zn7HgjfPrWtRJX47hd7nXzLv3d8dPpSmJg4j-1776120305-O/i-884mPgM.jpg Earth & Sky Abuzz The area outside the cafe at the Mount John Observatory, situated above Lake Tekapo, was all abuzz late on the evening of December 21 last year. The clouds had cleared and had revealed a perfect Milky Way and plenty of stars to aim the small telescopes at. Want to learn more about what it's like to do a stargazing tour here with Earth & Sky? Check out my blog post at http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/stargazing-one-darkest-skies-world/. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/edoras-or-erewhon monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-bP2g883/0/CKXRQWmdBJK5Pw92L7cZbjTLpZdKDMKsDpK5BN94c-1776120305-O/i-bP2g883.jpg Edoras or Erewhon? The brilliant hues of gorse light up an otherwise monochrome day at Erewhon Station in Canterbury. The hill in the middle of the valley is also known as Edoras, the village that the Rohirrim evacuate from to Helm's Deep in the second Lord of the Rings movie. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/fiordland-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-HV8hcWB/0/Cdr329NH4sTqxG3cTJ7CGWkr6SZn49gQS85fzzDwZ-1776120305-O/i-HV8hcWB.jpg Fiordland Sunset Can you think of many things better than kayaking on a calm lake as the sun sets behind the mountains? Because I can't. Seems like these guys, out kayaking on Lake Te Anau during Christmas break, definitely had it made. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/first-contact monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-SN7J3Fx/0/DtKNQphGfKs6jmJkxXVnTC8zvPpZXJNFQBr3w4393-1776120305-O/i-SN7J3Fx.jpg First Contact While we were boating on the Tasman Glacier Lake, we were lucky enough to see an iceberg roll over, revealing the gorgeous blue ice that had previously been hidden underwater. This was one of the few other boats that was in the area at the time -- its lucky passengers got to reach out and touch it! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/floating-in-the-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-sHjw5wv/0/D9vW8DP5Kvnx8mdDz4ZBNkVHcV4Mrg29wd2WMZrHz-1776120305-O/i-sHjw5wv.jpg Floating in the Clouds One of my favourite shots from a helicopter ride up Franz Josef Glacier and around the Southern Alps. Mighty Aoraki/Mount Cook looks impressive no matter whether you're floating in the clouds or firmly rooted on the ground! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/good-morning-queenstown monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-WtBBcjc/0/Fc2hMN6pgTMqNSC9W3X9vzrgq9q5WQFxFcNvMPn5Z-1776120305-O/i-WtBBcjc.jpg Good Morning Queenstown! Location: Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand I didn't plan on getting up to watch the sunrise on our last morning in Queenstown, but when I woke up at 5.15am and my whole hotel room was lit up in pink, I grabbed my camera and ran to the lakeshore, which was luckily just across the road from the hotel. It was definitely worth it! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/harbour-on-fire monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-MVKH6JH/1/CkCnwSt3FwbqxjnsNSzZ8j7XsGM2Vb5LJBNHWTT8B-1776120305-O/i-MVKH6JH.jpg Harbour on Fire I spent pretty much my entire first trip to Akaroa being astounded by the beauty. I spent my entire day just wandering the shoreline, and after dinner I snuck out of a game of Scrabble at my hostel to be greeted by this beauty. Taken in 2008 using my Panasonic FZ18 -- and how I wish I hadn't cut off that lightpole! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/high-clouds-over-the-hooker-valley monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-z7rVKnq/0/nnbxkk2S5ftF4pRdZvDSxnPGzzdqgkW65FrwDp2G-1776120305-O/i-z7rVKnq.jpg High Clouds over the Hooker Valley Gorgeous wispy clouds floating high above Mount Cook and the Hooker Valley. The clouds here were crazy in the way they can only be in the mountains. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/just-another-morning-swim monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-kGxp6K6/0/Dx7RccBShsRwVsdJKsqPFt8LJ2bb5bnwmTz947qWB-1776120305-O/i-kGxp6K6.jpg Just Another Morning Swim Ducks going for an early morning swim on Lake Wakatipu under an impressive sunrise. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/kawarau-crossing monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Kf7Mghz/0/DBmHNG9ZfMhGqnV3crRhd9cHvNdK9HgPvMmHCp2rL-1776120305-O/i-Kf7Mghz.jpg Kawarau Crossing The gorgeous view of the Remarkables as we cross the Kawarau River in Queenstown. What a perfect day to arrive there! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/lake-matheson-dreaming monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-4W35GSd/1/DFN5xzkHvWPz5qNVmFh3q6gNk89pHQz2MDR6LqjJS-1776120305-O/i-4W35GSd.jpg Lake Matheson Dreaming An early morning 6km ride from Fox Glacier was well worth it to beat the crowds and get this perfect reflection of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Who would have thought this area gets 4m of rain a year and is normally under heavy clouds? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/lake-pukaki-100-pure monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-vcMTS3F/0/CfsVw5PKjVzkCm9dLBSwWcPf6fV7cbnCPtN5RjDmR-1776120305-O/i-vcMTS3F.jpg Lake Pukaki: 100% Pure It's unbelievable how blue Lake Pukaki is from afar...but once you actually stand in the lake, as I was doing here, it's so clear it seems that you can see for miles underwater. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/lake-wanaka-in-pink monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-sJjV8XX/0/bw3QLKkXCNTMKpf3nJbhmGL4cCHhrCQ3D2JFMHx6-1776120305-O/i-sJjV8XX.jpg Lake Wanaka in Pink Sunrise on Boxing Day lit up the entirely of Lake Wanaka in pink. Definitely worth the early wakeup call on a public holiday! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/lupins-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-WRkGsFf/0/CjqRcgGMV2jv5mnw4Jj5H9SZFqbfDwLdKsxgZ4gMT-1776120305-O/i-WRkGsFf.jpg Lupins at the End of the Rainbow A rainbow appears over lupins blooming on Lake Tekapo's shore. A great way to end a bit of a rainy day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/lupins-lupins-everywhere monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-w8QQxSL/0/SdVPQKBtc5PLjCVxncqKdGGzD7dRsCcds97srksF-1776120305-O/i-w8QQxSL.jpg Lupins Lupins Everywhere The beautiful scene that greeted us in the Tekapo Domain after we ate dinner nearby. The lupins lined the lakeshore for as far as we could see, the clouds were perfect after a day of drizzly rain, and the lake was a perfect shade of blue. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/mapourika-by-morning monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-3LDVfm9/1/FSRcJ7F85xv374wm88bFwHKjr8WFTqSsqgRS9W9qh-1776120305-O/i-3LDVfm9.jpg Mapourika by Morning As we drove north along the west coast towards Hokitika and Arthur's Pass, we passed a sign for the Lake Mapourika camping area. I decided to quickly pull in and see what the lake was like. Boy was I glad I did that, since the water was completely still with an absolutely perfect reflection, with only the occasional ripple breaking the unending calm. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/matukituki monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-LR57QPV/0/CMNPFC7bXwLP3NwgXVBHBXVbdPL5J4hn38HLPMsPT-1776120305-O/i-LR57QPV.jpg Matukituki The gorgeous Matukituki River in Mount Aspiring National Park, as seen from the swing bridge for hikers heading into the eastern Matukituki Valley. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/milford-sound-in-monochrome monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-DKvVCGv/0/D4qp2RwtsjfbncdD7nRsrJ5nSm6b6nzRCHPtmHQP7-1776120305-O/i-DKvVCGv.jpg Milford Sound in Monochrome It’s hard to put the feeling of being in Milford Sound into words. It all seemed so much larger than life; the mountains, the waterfalls, and the sky all made me feel so minuscule…but in the most jaw-dropping way possible. I was lucky enough to be there during a summer that had been extremely dry, which meant I’d had perfect blue skies for my entire trek down the Milford Track and into the Sound itself. However, that also meant that I didn’t get to see the walls of the fiord turn into a myriad of waterfalls or see the clouds creeping slowly up the sound. I was okay with that though, because, well, how could I not be with this view? Read more at: http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/milford-sound-in-monochrome/ https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/misty-morning-at-welcome-flat monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-GNNgkfn/0/CJSdVbc92NM4vGvtXBm3r2WS82VQWb4fKbxDnPGbd-1776120305-O/i-GNNgkfn.jpg Misty Morning at Welcome Flat When we woke up on our second morning at Welcome Flat, we were stunned to see this. The clouds were finally clearing after a day of heavy rain that had kept us huddled in the hut. The only downside was it meant we had to leave the hut, which had its own natural hot pools, and hike 17km back to reality! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/mount-cook-lilies monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-GSkgMbq/0/D8b8WFxkRznmRVLCxsqcjnvgkzsNgRpNX4qtc2xcv-1776120305-O/i-GSkgMbq.jpg Mount Cook Lilies Mount Cook with its namesake lily blooming in front of it. These lilies only bloom in November and December, and when they do, the whole valley seems to be dotted with white and gold. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/mountainous-morning monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-m6N7jhN/0/pfjmBFk5PN4SHg9CfW7frDtQbfK8cXZw5SJKFFKQ-1776120305-O/i-m6N7jhN.jpg Mountainous Morning A gorgeous morning on the Kaikoura peninsula, looking back at the Pacific Ocean and the Seaward Kaikoura Range. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/mueller-crossing monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Zpw4PMS/0/TNhbm7FfcDcVbGrgqpdbpDN3RZMJBtQJPcHJCzQh-1776120305-O/i-Zpw4PMS.jpg Mueller Crossing The Hooker Valley track was absolutely worth the walk. This was one of the first epic lookouts we reached, just before the first swing bridge. Around every corner there seemed to be yet another amazing view! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/oh-christmas-tree monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-WGdTBwM/1/DjhXqdpCfJJNZCcWsqLgMDNzKFFV85Dx7hgdC7j6M-1776120305-O/i-WGdTBwM.jpg Oh, Christmas Tree... "That Wanaka Tree," Wanaka's most famous resident, standing tall above the water on Christmas Day, 2014. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/old-times-at-the-cardrona-hotel monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-gC346mr/0/DddFg4Ms5QR4mC9DKq92NDZZb4JpJwWk34PTdczQL-1776120305-O/i-gC346mr.jpg Old Times at the Cardrona Hotel The old Cardrona Hotel on a beautiful day in the Crown Range outside of Queenstown. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/on-mackinnon-pass monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-ksvWPr3/0/DZxpRd2FhtNgXzQwnzvSw4c6sQffbt6tthTjkKzjR-1776120305-O/i-ksvWPr3.jpg On Mackinnon Pass The stunning view looking back towards the Clinton Valley from Mackinnon Pass. I was so lucky to have perfect weather for my entire 4 days on the Milford Track. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/over-the-swing-bridge-we-go monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-J64jQpC/0/D6KgJ55FvRDHXRRvCZPrnDJjV37Dt7QZwt83FprSb-1776120305-O/i-J64jQpC.jpg Over the Swing Bridge We Go The Hooker Valley Track is one of the best half-day walks in New Zealand. Not only is it an easy, relatively even walk on a gravel path, but you get amazing views of the Southern Alps for your entire trip -- and that view constantly changes, sometimes including glacial lakes, other times including rushing river rapids, and most times including Mount Cook/Aoraki, the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Read more about my experience on the track at http://www.bootsandabackpack.com/how-the-hooker-valley-track-nearly-killed-my-dad/. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/peninsula-ablaze monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-2HWf9H5/1/T6JtZJMJBMmRcGkLqF5qns5V3ZHHMJJp54fXHtk8-1776120305-O/i-2HWf9H5.jpg Peninsula Ablaze The skies light up over the Kaikoura Peninsula in the South Island's Canterbury region. Seriously, everything about NZ is gorgeous! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/perfect-way-to-start-the-day monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-m4zHxWd/0/JpgS2Nq2FrPx4phd57NN43qJbvJ2N5QptJDWwwhH-1776120305-O/i-m4zHxWd.jpg Perfect Way to Start the Day As soon as I saw this spot as I strolled around Kaikoura early in the morning on my third visit there, I knew it was the perfect place to start the day. If only I'd had a newspaper to sit down and read while I listened to the waves running through the black pebbles on the beach! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/rob-roy-in-the-distance monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-m2sRpd8/0/ZRP3PFWKNp7QgckC2Jtvp3ZmQn923JqWZ2mBWdrV-1776120305-O/i-m2sRpd8.jpg Rob Roy in the Distance Cruising down the gravel road between Treble Cone and the Rob Roy Glacier in the Matukituki Valley. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/rush-hour-at-mount-cook monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-LgMWZFj/0/DWVGxTG8mWMrZk9XHXmHDCx3DW3W3NgvP96qBHBHm-1776120305-O/i-LgMWZFj.jpg Rush Hour at Mount Cook The Hooker River was definitely in a rush to get as far away as possible from Mount Cook, which stands imposing at the end of the Hooker Valley. For the first half of the Hooker Valley Track, Mount Cook was hidden behind the mountain to the right, but it finally came into view here and stood tall over us for the rest of our walk. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/shooting-down-the-shotover monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-jhn7bF5/0/DWTTVsqhkXCKZPvB66bVJQ2MrQvfbTTxds7572xJZ-1776120305-O/i-jhn7bF5.jpg Shooting Down the Shotover One of the Shotover Jet jetboats powers towards the Shotover Canyon after a quick 360º for the photographers. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/shrouded-giant monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-WqgdF3H/0/DjPVHgDrtG9ZQK77T75t36g8vMtBnvVqFZGSBK7Cq-1776120305-O/i-WqgdF3H.jpg Shrouded Giant Since we didn't have any set plans for this day -- except for driving to our next apartment -- we took the long way around, meaning we took a random road we found up the east side of Lake Pukaki (the main road to Mount Cook goes up the west) and drove until we felt like turning around. We found plenty of isolated spots along the lake and only had to share them with a few other people. This view was my favourite, even if it meant climbing up a large boulder with a bunch of rather worried family members looking on! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/tekapo-in-pink-and-blue monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-JD7zCQZ/0/FbLXLKBQDMmG2cSCSSNTZpJnZGmc7hJqcxChkSjrs-1776120305-O/i-JD7zCQZ.jpg Tekapo in Pink and Blue The usual brilliant blue of Lake Tekapo briefly turns pink as the sunset lights up the heavy clouds. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/tekapo-s-watercolour-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-pNZktxP/0/FBBtrKgpDxz49gXKM62Cz3r4mCBLV4N38MCMfjfcc-1776120305-O/i-pNZktxP.jpg Tekapo's Watercolour Clouds When I saw that the clouds had broken, I took the car and drove in a direction I hadn't been before. This is what I found. What an awesome spot -- and unlike the rest of Tekapo, completely empty too! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-bridge-over-the-rakaia monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-P8cqMjS/0/D7d48VJvSDB7J75pRVWM5rr2ss7NZ4GR4XRGsLVrS-1776120305-O/i-P8cqMjS.jpg The Bridge Over the Rakaia This picture is a reminder to me that, if on holiday and offered the chance to 'take the scenic route,' you should always say yes. I got this shot of the Rakaia Gorge bridge, built in 1882, as I took the Inland Scenic Route from Tekapo back to Christchurch at the end of an amazing 9 days on the South Island. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-church-of-the-southern-lights monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-mkB3JzN/0/CMhTTzXhvsXhgHFHh44mw5L9MNDGmjQzxkgXFMf9N-1776120305-O/i-mkB3JzN.jpg The Church of the Southern Lights What good luck is this?! Of our three nights in Lake Tekapo, we were treated to pink southern skies for two of them. The aurora may not have been visibly dancing, but it was most definitely there! If you'd like to capture a photo like this, why not come along on our Explore Capture Repeat tour next year? We can't guarantee auroras but if the southern lights are in the sky, we'll be out capturing them! Learn more at http://ecr.photo/nz. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-cloud-piercer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-jscZRXh/0/DbZnV2KFn5DTPctxtnwt7FsNr3m5crp8SWnSwF5p3-1776120305-O/i-jscZRXh.jpg The Cloud Piercer The formidable visage of Aoraki/Mount Cook, standing tall behind the brilliant blue waters of Lake Pukaki. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-easy-way-down-coronet-peak monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-9kT7Zvr/0/DP3gRxnq3HGhLksGrbCLpxPCz4SQ3sJKgg3VXZp4S-1776120305-O/i-9kT7Zvr.jpg The Easy Way Down Coronet Peak Because my family and I didn't have our own mountainbikes, we decided to take the easy way down Coronet Peak once we'd been to its summit -- that is, we went back down the chairlift we came up! I just couldn't believe how stunning the views were -- even this one, which included a man-made pond that really shouldn't have been as beautiful as it was! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-good-shepherd-of-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-svh4jTV/0/DPNH3rvT7Ppzp7c5cVQFhFZd5frV8vSWNQXThGsWN-1776120305-O/i-svh4jTV.jpg The Good Shepherd...of the Aurora How amazing is this?! I'd hoped for auroras to appear during our time in Tekapo, since it's known as having one of the darkest skies in the world. We were lucky enough to have it two nights running (although we could only see it with the naked eye on one of those nights). I should have known the minute I got to the Church of the Good Shepherd that they could be seen with the camera, since there was a horde of photographers all facing south, which is probably not a normal occurrence at 11pm! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-guardian-of-lake-wakatipu monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-tD3pxHc/0/DtZR2mPRZnSspDnJqHDzSqsXQjJNKJbDXprzq9ssd-1776120305-O/i-tD3pxHc.jpg The Guardian of Lake Wakatipu There's no better time for a stroll along the waterfront on Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu at sunset. Not only do the Remarkables glow in the evening light, but in St Omer Park on the lake's foreshore, the setting sun lights up the trees in amazing patterns. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-hills-are-alive-with-the-colour-of-lupins monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-FtpXWR9/0/S69P6fLgGPk2DVWTWWnR9w42gzD35WrhpFRzpBmm-1776120305-O/i-FtpXWR9.jpg The Hills are Alive with the Colour of Lupins Lupins are absolutely everywhere in Mackenzie Country in December, and I can't say I mind too much. I just had to make sure I picked and chose my spots so I wasn't constantly taking flower photos! This shot was captured on the hillside of Mount John just down from the observatory. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-other-pearl-harbour monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-rMp8wP7/0/CNJQrxQLxP74JJZts6HbFFRBQ46FCtWR6mmNfzM2F-1776120305-O/i-rMp8wP7.jpg The Other Pearl Harbour The slightly lesser-known Pearl Harbour, this one located on Lake Manapouri on New Zealand's South Island. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-road-through-arthur-s-pass monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-KZ5B5vx/2/CskRWLXwNGWpxF6k7Hffxjp6hL5PFdV9hSMZXSkrW-1776120305-O/i-KZ5B5vx.jpg The Road Through Arthur's Pass Once we crossed Arthur's Pass on the road between the South Island's west and east coasts, the landscape drastically changed. Gone were the lush green forests of the west coast; they had been replaced with an almost arid, mottled brown landscape. As you would expect with NZ, though, it was still stunningly gorgeous! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-road-to-flea-bay monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-cFV88ZJ/0/D8hkMTvnhJx22SR3V4smhGVHBKg2bWDLJMHfTjp7B-1776120305-O/i-cFV88ZJ.jpg The Road to Flea Bay A bird's eye view of the Banks Peninsula bathed in golden afternoon light from the road over to Flea Bay. What a way to end an amazing day of wildlife watching on the peninsula! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/the-sun-sets-over-that-wanaka-tree monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-VdMRGwS/0/DWm2QzWk2wGQwCmSchS2VjtJwDTb8gq5M5FRX7NVR-1776120305-O/i-VdMRGwS.jpg The Sun Sets Over That Wanaka Tree It was no coincidence that the location I shot the most in Wanaka was the famous 'Wanaka tree' -- the lone tree that stands in the lake. Its trunk is covered by water for much of the year yet it's somehow survived, making a perfect foreground for the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park behind. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/through-the-fronds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Vd5sSkL/0/D7f5CSXzqrCxHGb4bGpQwq5LJC9p6cQS6KpM2DTqq-1776120305-O/i-Vd5sSkL.jpg Through the Fronds This shot is one of my favorites from the Queen Charlotte Track in New Zealand's Marlborough Sounds. The walk covers 71km along Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds. This was the first lookout on the track after leaving Ship Cove, and while it wasn't the hardest to reach, it was certainly one that stuck in my mind because it was the first aerial view I got of the spectacular landscape I was hiking through! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/tramping-through-mackenzie-country monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-jR387mS/0/FcHSBHnVmZjgTt7QzHT8njwHzxL9CCXvq6FJgMKq6-1776120305-O/i-jR387mS.jpg Tramping Through Mackenzie Country So many of the highlights of Mackenzie Country packed into such a small area. The golden tussock, the hiking opportunities, and Mount Cook, lording it over it all... https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/typical-milford-sound monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-Jdm8JN4/0/CHtP5kwhxTrtBzWP93cnLj5kwsxDq4L8R5XMQjNJq-1776120305-O/i-Jdm8JN4.jpg Typical Milford Sound Milford Sound must have known that I wanted to take photos the day I was there, since it was not only overcast but low tide as well! I didn't mind too much though, since this photo really epitomises Milford Sound -- spectacular landscapes and not-so-spectacular weather! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/underneath-sutherland-falls monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-4LMdKgP/0/smCHRnxtQJRtS9vWDfFHMz3HnPWxXCTnWwGtx8nw-1776120305-O/i-4LMdKgP.jpg Underneath Sutherland Falls https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/valley-of-moraine monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-dbn4mFG/1/tZXmHKgBXCpjCCZWQKNsZg8Fh8jVXmDmHFjjcL5w-1776120305-O/i-dbn4mFG.jpg Valley of Moraine The moraine-filled valley of the Tasman Glacier in the South Island's Mackenzie Country. It was hard to even comprehend how big the glacier, now starting many kilometers behind us, once was. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/walk-the-plank monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-bJnK3jH/0/mgj5dJN8vtwPnqMvqxvDttXmGhLDWj3Gr37Xgg75-1776120305-O/i-bJnK3jH.jpg Walk the Plank Mountain bikers know about Coronet Peak in summer, but it seems like not many people in the general public did! After buying a $15 roundtrip chairlift ticket, we rode to the top and walked a short way up to the peak, where we found this view. The mountains were a beautiful mix of blues and golds and stretched as far as we could see. I was happy standing at this spot to take photos of the sweeping views, but I wasn't exactly game to walk out on that little ledge -- do you think you would be? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/watercolour-wanaka monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-XM4khRm/0/D6h6Vd36dmCvXgfdZ2Nnq6SQxRcWr6SqGzmXKHSjZ-1776120305-O/i-XM4khRm.jpg Watercolour Wanaka Location: Wanaka, New Zealand Sunrise lighting up everything around Lake Wanaka -- the clouds, the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park, and the lake itself -- in a gorgeous pastel pink colour. It only lasted for a few minutes, but it was worth the early wakeup call (as well as standing knee-deep in freezing water to get the shot)! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/new-zealand/where-the-mountains-meet-the-sea monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/New-Zealand/i-HgG7kDb/1/Cj2tDtGtcNRtLxXKr8qRh5VsdfRQVb4X58NVNRM5m-1776120305-O/i-HgG7kDb.jpg Where the Mountains Meet the Sea In a country of absolutely stunning scenery, Kaikoura is a standout. The Seaward Kaikoura Range runs almost up to the Pacific Ocean itself, with only a fine barrier of black pebbles in between. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-beach-at-70-n monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-wWMcTc9/0/PTtkXd7fFSGPPfTXVZmDNjNhKKLkGxQFrb5x6KD2-1776120306-O/i-wWMcTc9.jpg A Beach at 70ºN There's a reason drives around Norway take so long. Yes, it could have something to do with the winding roads that dangle a speed limit in front of you as an unattainable goal, and maybe a little to do with doddering caravans too. But I think a lot of it has to do with stunning scenes like this, found between Olderfjord and Repvåg on the road to Nordkapp. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-bridge-in-lofoten-who-da-thunk-it monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-nzCvvsT/0/CQFx3ckzgdCxSXN24cvHsThgS49wqKpdrrmM42SGS-1776120306-O/i-nzCvvsT.jpg A Bridge in Lofoten. Who'da Thunk It? One of the many bridges of Reine -- this one stretching between Hamnøya and Little Toppøya. We saw this scene as we headed back towards the fjord for our third, and final, snorkelling spot. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-cold-cruise-along-the-coastline monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-W44mcmX/0/Dz2gz4BmcNp2sxxzFFjbfL5fRJDD49MRCztjb99Bh-1776120306-O/i-W44mcmX.jpg A Cold Cruise Along the Coastline The amazing view of all the mountains that surround Reinefjord in Norway's Lofoten Islands, as seen from the RIB boat that was taking me out for a quick winter snorkeling trip. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-crisp-day-for-a-dip monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Xk7N9CS/0/FbnVTkgrgxsntkHJHMHZDndWvP9PjfRmNmQtV3Lht-1776120306-O/i-Xk7N9CS.jpg A Crisp Day for a Dip I'm sure that jetty is used by laughing children diving into the water in summer. On this day in early March, it was eerily quiet. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-fjord-looks-into-a-mirror monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zkdBDM5/0/DfFqGpdjm6v5VsskbqqS5nhmgTJgRkfXdXNfvbnXX-1776120306-O/i-zkdBDM5.jpg A Fjord Looks Into a Mirror You wouldn't have thought you'd see much when you arrive late at night in the Arctic Circle -- but you'd be wrong! Even in the pitch black that coats the islands for most hours in early January, the scenery around us as we drove south into the islands was stunning -- so much so that we had to pull over and see what we could capture. We were both pretty happy with what we got! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-fjord-or-a-glacier-lake monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-GnRzDfF/0/HTrgTmFW79vVZZLc8dG7fTXm6jHPDcz4Rdnthd6c-1776120306-O/i-GnRzDfF.jpg A Fjord or a Glacier Lake? Is this a fjord or a glacier lake? It could easily be mistaken for the crystal clear waters of a glacier-fed lake like Lake Pukaki in New Zealand, but it's actually Lyngenfjord in Northern Norway. The incredible blue colour comes from the outflow from Strupen Glacier into the bay behind. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-goat-an-island-a-fjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Hr8DGR5/0/FfDKxm7MCBx52qrPnVGq7bnN4X4K4rS7StvD8CrKd-1776120306-O/i-Hr8DGR5.jpg A Goat, an Island, a Fjord Location: Svinøya Island, Svolvær, Lofoten Islands, Norway My favourite part of my visit to Svolvær was my wander along Svinøya Island, where I saw (and smelled) plenty of stockfish racks, talked to locals out walking their dogs, and saw amazing scenes like this one. It was interesting how I could take multiple photos from the same spot and get some with perfect blue water and others where the water colour was hardly evident at all because of the strong reflections. As for the goat in the title? The bit of rock sticking up out of the mountains near the middle of the shot is the Svolværgeita, or the 'goat of Svolvær.' https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-hint-of-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NbGSfPW/0/Dp6GBd3g74RRHmQB6tzRF9b5qTC9bzmKPCcxHh88d-1776120306-O/i-NbGSfPW.jpg A Hint of the Aurora A tantalising hint of the aurora behind the clouds on Flakstadøya in the Lofoten Islands. Unfortunately these clouds were an ever-present part of our trip there so this was just about the closest we got to seeing the aurora. That said, there's no way we could complain, because Lofoten in January is one of the most stunning places in the world. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-moody-reflection-of-reine monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-GmwSBjG/0/kC3jddFhWwshP84cSStnbhX496BZBDbfMQVJLzF8-1776120306-O/i-GmwSBjG.jpg A Moody Reflection of Reine I couldn't get over just how spectacular Reine really was, even when the dark, moody clouds made their way up the fjord. I'd be interested to know if anyone actually uses that dock (and another platform further out in the water) for swimming though -- after having been out in the water this morning, there is no way I'd go near it without a drysuit! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/a-sauna-with-a-view monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-TrR6pNd/0/FGZtTDgqQbSS5mW39RgjhqkfSHp8CdWtsSmgCwDn6-1776120306-O/i-TrR6pNd.jpg A Sauna With a View In the cold of an Arctic winter, I couldn't think of many better things than a sauna with a view like this one! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/all-s-quiet-in-the-western-fjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-vjdfV2r/0/qg3mr4WpW54j562KgPtqC9MschvrB7KpdDBXfFsF-1776120306-O/i-vjdfV2r.jpg All's Quiet in the Western Fjord Reflections of the mountains surrounding Reinefjord, seen in the little harbour near the Statoil Station. Reine Rorbuer can be seen on the left side of the harbour. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/arctic-moonrise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-fXfhJDZ/0/DZgC4r96VrNZ7Sv46Qsmks4jgdSkzt5B3gkZkwjG8-1776120306-O/i-fXfhJDZ.jpg Arctic Moonrise On our first night in the Tromsø area, we had a spectacular seat right on the water for watching the moon rise over the island of Tromsøya. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/arctic-noon-in-pink-and-gold monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-xxJrnWb/0/6DtpJK9WVKC8FVG3579NhPx4KWRRBBLLw7fm8CVX-1776120306-O/i-xxJrnWb.jpg Arctic Noon in Pink and Gold Morning light lights up Hamnøya and Reine in brilliant pink around noon on a January morning in the Arctic. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/asleep-for-the-night monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-hdMhQFL/0/FNgZBjm2GCQ2hCf55b38r2fb9kHJvTXZr9TMTnFjg-1776120306-O/i-hdMhQFL.jpg Asleep for the Night My first glimpse of Reine after I arrived on the 12.30am ferry. It was so quiet -- no seabirds squawking, no fishermen unloading boats -- yet so brilliantly lit that the rock walls of the fjord were visible even though it was a new moon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/basking-in-summer-s-glow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-XrTzXJG/1/rSVB6tW9KB2xBTWGXK8GWvfdSSMZhk8CWSTTnT2h-1776120306-O/i-XrTzXJG.jpg Basking in Summer's Glow The mountains around Tromsø basking in the glow of the 'midnight sun' (it was actually around 10pm, but I think that's close enough). Captured from the beach at Folkeparken -- it's a great place for views of mountains in almost every direction, yet still so close to the centre of the city! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/blue-hour-in-reine monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Lph6fBh/0/DQ68ggxzVxQ88HRh6wr939wc4JDxJPV4rJMxpHN4L-1776120306-O/i-Lph6fBh.jpg Blue Hour in Reine The gorgeous village of Reine, bathed in the blue of winter twilight. This image was captured around 9.15am; the sun wouldn't peek above the horizon until 11am. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/breaking-the-ice-in-reine monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-MCvpsVM/0/C7fsJ64GNftn2N9vpDpLjTRXw7B4P4HcMSWNj3SBG-1776120306-O/i-MCvpsVM.jpg Breaking the Ice in Reine We had a stunning view of Reinefjord as our snorkelling boat broke through the ice in the harbour and then headed out to sea. And yes, I went snorkeling in winter in the Arctic Circle! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/bright-spots-in-the-gloom monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-HxxK4KG/0/DcqzJwdTmWCncb57XrKLkWvSmWZr3g4JVfWbd8tpq-1776120306-O/i-HxxK4KG.jpg Bright Spots in the Gloom I love the colourful houses that I saw throughout Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The most common colour is red, particularly in the Lofoten Islands where most of the rorbuer, or old fishermen's cabins, are painted this colour. They provide lovely spots of colour in the winter months when everything else is covered in a thick coat of white! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/crystal-clear-svin-ya monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NPcmWd2/0/FfTphKjgvhQxrMSwgj6csPFmb4LSjMndnvh87HBdN-1776120306-O/i-NPcmWd2.jpg Crystal Clear Svinøya Sometimes it's best just to forego organised activities and go for a wander in a new place. That's what I did in Svinøya, and not only did I get to talk to locals about the upcoming World Cod Fishing Championships, but I also got to see plenty of views like this one! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/driving-into-the-dawn monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-mHk8PZ2/0/CGT92GcXLLBzJhcXFPRsLvD9nxt47FTJ9tPZDJDn6-1776120306-O/i-mHk8PZ2.jpg Driving into the Dawn Our first morning in the Lofoten Islands also coincided with the first morning they had seen the sun peek over the horizon since the early days of December. With colours like this in the sky, we couldn't help but to pull over on our drive out of Henningsvær and capture the scene. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/everlasting-golden-hour monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-4QfGxQ7/0/QgG33XJNCZLVBxbHLQvQGHr9w4cH7W8W3Jc84MLc-1776120306-O/i-4QfGxQ7.jpg Everlasting Golden Hour I couldn't believe the light in the Arctic in early March. It seemed like golden hour went on for 2-3 hours after sunrise, and then it started all over again before sunset. It's a photographer's dream! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/field-of-meringue monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-bpMKkKT/0/D3PzvjGRsLpqRWN5HbtcmKNSzC5265mmZV3pCQR3r-1776120306-O/i-bpMKkKT.jpg Field of Meringue Huge waterfall in Northern Norway (Malselvfoss, to be exact) or a giant field of fluffy meringue? You decide! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/fiery-sky-snowy-mountains monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-KLWJ5Cc/0/DQFVTTwh97M3z8tcGXbPJhv8L6mkPwtLNCvFrDQK9-1776120306-O/i-KLWJ5Cc.jpg Fiery Sky, Snowy Mountains Fog begins to build up in the mountains surrounding Tromsø. As I stood at the top of the Fjellheisen cable car, I could see these mountains go from golden to shrouded in fog in a matter of minutes. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/footprints-stockfish-racks monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-VVNGH34/0/CG6RkJqWZtF7RsWvsgn3t8mv3xqhk7n2PXZh4vmX5-1776120306-O/i-VVNGH34.jpg Footprints & Stockfish Racks My footprints were the only ones wandering in between the rorbuer and underneath the empty stockfish drying racks on this morning in early March. I'm happy they were empty -- it made the air a bit easier to breathe! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/fresh-light-not-so-fresh-fish monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-P4KzwMf/0/D2cBLQRkjR8Q6nCMLL4RVDz3ZxwfB3L3scQbhwKXk-1776120306-O/i-P4KzwMf.jpg Fresh Light, Not So Fresh Fish We got so lucky with the light on our second morning in Reine. Not only did we get 2 hours of continuous sunrise/sunset, but we got it in one of the most stunning places in the world. I considered it especially lucky that I was wandering around only to be assaulted by the smell of drying fish. And why's that lucky? Well, fishing and drying stockfish is one of the main lifebloods of the Lofoten Islands, but I didn't think we'd actually see any evidence of it on this trip as it was too early in the year. Apparently, this fisherman started his season early! I know this rack looks empty, but if you squint to the left you'll see the hanging fish on the next rack over. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/golden-morning-in-svolv-r monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-5HmpDWr/0/DSCv6rPFxXh9Cvkk2ZqSXd3PnfmH9GkGxtB5X5ngw-1776120306-O/i-5HmpDWr.jpg Golden Morning in Svolvær I couldn't get over how gorgeous the light was all day in the Arctic. This photo looks like a sunrise over the myriad islands and fjords of the Lofoten Islands -- but it was actually taken at 10am! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/good-morning-lyngen-alps monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-dQd7XPL/0/DxBdq8p2PdMjFntnx6vhsvw8hK6TrrGgkQ26s2HQz-1776120306-O/i-dQd7XPL.jpg Good Morning, Lyngen Alps! Since I'd arrived at Camp Tamok under cover of darkness, this was my first glimpse of the little cluster of cabins and Sami tents in the Lyngen Alps during daylight. What a view it was!The tent in the foreground holds special significance for me since it's where I spent the night (even though it was -20C outside!). The fire in the middle of the tent did its job though, as you can tell from all the icicles of snow that melted off the canvas. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/gorgeous-camp-tamok monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-KhxMHgC/1/D2dQr636CMrNjPLz98tGkmdGxpQdtjXf3rbDXdw8g-1776120306-O/i-KhxMHgC.jpg Gorgeous Camp Tamok Even though I'd seen the peaks of the Lyngen Alps surrounding me as I watched the northern lights the night before, I wasn't prepared for the sheer beauty that greeted me as I stepped out of my tent just after sunrise. As I wandered around Camp Tamok taking photos of the gorgeous scenery, all of the dogs in the foreground were hooked up to their sleds and were raring to go for their morning sled trip. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/green-skies-over-camp-tamok monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FZhfht7/0/D6fWVTLNLcB2LpDqHLw27pq4BWLtqpJ2rzm84pjmP-1776120306-O/i-FZhfht7.jpg Green Skies Over Camp Tamok After eight nights (spread across two trips) of scanning the skies patiently for any speck of green, I finally saw the skies over Camp Tamok light up with the northern lights! It was an amazing experience and one that I nearly missed taking a photo of because I was so transfixed. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/icy-arctic-reflections monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-qxnDmDP/0/Dwx9GXCDVZD5wftS3QFG2BVsLrZ8cg7vhr5N8Hgng-1776120306-O/i-qxnDmDP.jpg Icy Arctic Reflections Reflections of the outskirts of the town of Svolvær. Taken on a late winter afternoon under the threat of a winter storm. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/january-morning-in-pink monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NXbnsB4/0/hL4hqNTz2S74pCJ8MKHd77wRNxTjvzrS4f23TMPd-1776120306-O/i-NXbnsB4.jpg January Morning in Pink Olstind Mountain aglow in the pink of a January sunrise in the Arctic. The sun hardly got over the horizon, but for the two hours that it sat there, it turned everything an otherworldly pink colour. It really was a sight to see. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/late-night-lyngenfjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-pM7f3BS/0/CNQhghKT5B5KhTVcFGKzc3nw2gXxttgNfsrx6CK8q-1776120306-O/i-pM7f3BS.jpg Late Night Lyngenfjord The midnight sun shining over Lyngenfjord around 1am. It slowly worked its way behind the mountains, lighting up the clouds above them, until it finally peeked out and continued tracing its never-ending circles around the sky. Having gone for a long hike during the day, I was tempted to go to bed, but I am so glad I stayed up to see this...especially since I could see this from the living room of my rented house! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/little-church-in-the-valley monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-cRwMWCW/0/Cz5pdQrS2T3cPKHbvrFwjGWw24L8N32xqptXmFh9g-1776120306-O/i-cRwMWCW.jpg Little Church in the Valley The beautiful clear skies of the morning gave way to moody clouds in the afternoon, which gave the gorgeous setting of Reine a completely different feel. I thought it worked particularly well for the beautiful little church in the town. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/lofoten-morning monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NXkVcFN/0/DFdG8GXQjNh4Qzm3JCG9nSXQDJT7DP6MWgD4KxKgm-1776120306-O/i-NXkVcFN.jpg Lofoten Morning What a morning this was. I arrived in Reine late at night and awoke to see the fjord stretched out in front of me and Olstind Mountain towering above it all. Gorgeous. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/magical-lofoten monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-pGhC26Z/0/FfTQpF4HDR49VmbcB92NMkNMF8PtZJwLVL6c3mf5c-1776120306-O/i-pGhC26Z.jpg Magical Lofoten No matter what angle you have -- whether you are on land or on a snow-filled RIB boat on the water like I was when I took this shot -- Reine is a magical, gorgeous place. I can't believe I'll be heading back there -- and to the rest of Lofoten -- in January! I'll be doing 4 days of photography there with my friend Ben Ashmole (from Ashmole Photography) and I can't wait to be in the land of magical light, red cabins, and the northern lights once again! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/morning-at-the-end-of-lofoten monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-K9Cr96R/0/FRKNKFqpFB9vvTw4BH8D5hhtppD8dLdFNH4cPx8NW-1776120306-O/i-K9Cr96R.jpg Morning at the End of Lofoten Later in the day, these clouds would be my bane as they sunk down and obscured the mountains completely. However, as I packed up to leave Å, the town at the end of the Lofoten Islands, they made for a beautiful sight. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/morning-s-first-footprints monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-PHQwD2H/0/FbVw3RmQN5HGctcLvfn3XVskLZgjkhp5TmmQSMPtk-1776120306-O/i-PHQwD2H.jpg Morning's First Footprints I was lucky enough to arrive in Reine the day after a heavy snowfall, and because so few people stay in the rorbuer there in the winter, I was the first person to make any footprints in it the following morning! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/northern-lights-in-hiding monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zmkHzFN/0/DCbJMmwr4K2hL7ZRPVdcSC2m4PXmsh7ttqKx88GgX-1776120306-O/i-zmkHzFN.jpg Northern Lights in Hiding We got very excited on the last night of our recent trip to Lofoten because it looked like everything was coming together. The sky was clear, the northern horizon was starting to glow green...and then this happened. Luckily we got a few beams before the clouds completely covered them up again! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/not-jurassic-park monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-bxZJjNv/0/HTj6pczzmV7rLNLgBDxGC8jTbnnzL3Hkhp5WV4Zt-1776120306-O/i-bxZJjNv.jpg Not Jurassic Park The cliffs of Andøya are incredibly impressive, and are made even moreso by the clouds streaming down over their tops. It definitely reminded me of a scene out of Jurassic Park! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/not-quite-tropical-but-still-paradise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-z5vctR6/0/JXT9f9mZDWZgfpd2GM9TbxLZwH22vv9ffc2RPs5j-1776120306-O/i-z5vctR6.jpg Not Quite Tropical, But Still Paradise I found this beach while driving through Lødingen in the Vesterålen Islands. In Northern Norway. In the Arctic Circle. How is this not a tropical paradise? Actually, I think the answer may be in the temperature of the water. Brr! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/olstind-reflected monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-f7z62pC/1/DthN7SxPvfhhW3TG5mwH8CRrh32hn2bWQT8rXC3K-1776120306-O/i-f7z62pC.jpg Olstind Reflected Olstind Mountain stands high above the town of Reine in the Lofoten Islands. From any angle, it is impressive, but in the RIB boat where I had a perfect view of the reflection on the calm waters, it was absolutely stunning. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/on-golden-fronds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-4mHpGNJ/0/DRZCQtFFxFZ8QjSxrXCSp5LF336DDqGKNZ2ScGKJq-1776120306-O/i-4mHpGNJ.jpg On Golden Fronds The main thing that drew us to this scene as we drove down the E10 into the Lofoten Islands was the sheer calm of the fjord's water beside us. We never saw a body of water this calm again for the rest of our trip! This was my last shot of the evening, and I was a bit sad when a car drove past and lit up the foreground...but it actually added a nice golden touch to the few surviving plants there. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/on-strupen-plateau monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-wcw4hHq/0/CJ8BTm2VZ9p79kgvC7HQwC99z47hZFx6TqKWxShtC-1776120306-O/i-wcw4hHq.jpg On Strupen Plateau A waterfall of water from a nearby glacier crashes down the rocks of Strupen Plateau in the Lyngen Alps. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/on-top-of-the-world monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-TNHbt5C/0/CFGS7tTLqQJSXDzpXbrx8ssZjHkBCXn2Fzbd4P5Jm-1776120306-O/i-TNHbt5C.jpg On Top of the World The giant globe statue that stands at North Cape (Nordkapp), the northernmost point in mainland Europe (we'll just ignore the fact that it's on an island). It was a stormy day -- not unusual for the area in the winter -- which made for some very interesting skies. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/perched-in-the-narrow-fjord monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-pRVxd4v/0/Dq7hx8Gzk57pLvH9VZjGvfBmXc4ZSGFgpfnGMxJbV-1776120306-O/i-pRVxd4v.jpg Perched in the Narrow Fjord Nusfjord Rorbuer -- old fishermen's cabins that have now been turned into vacation houses -- sitting above the waters of the narrow fjord of Nusfjord in the Lofoten Islands. On a great day like this one, this spot is just perfect. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/pink-dawn-over-the-swirling-sea monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-dpfqKbh/0/CCxRVnq36kKJwWWNG9vJPKkfxLxVRd3cMSs3WBbcG-1776120306-O/i-dpfqKbh.jpg Pink Dawn over the Swirling Sea The sea crashes onto the rocks of the island of Hamnøya in the village of Reine. This was sunrise on my second-to-last morning in the islands, and it was by far the most memorable day of our trip. For two hours, the sun sat just above the horizon to the south and lit up the entire fjord in pink. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/polarlys-under-midnatsol monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zk5kFx8/0/9qvcpmkqqkkB32bG2NxkmXTDTmHwrnh3WGhsHbn4-1776120306-O/i-zk5kFx8.jpg Polarlys Under Midnatsol The MS Polarlys, part of the Hurtigruten fleet that travels up and down the coast of Norway daily, pulls into Tromsø under the midnight sun at around 12.30am. I captured this from the top of the Fjellheisen cable car, which conveniently runs until 1am in summer. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/ready-to-explore-the-lofoten-sea monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Zbh2Pm3/1/DTgSLnSJhtPpgL3dvgVdtcGZdp4G83QV9XsLzCZdd-1776120306-O/i-Zbh2Pm3.jpg Ready to Explore the Lofoten Sea A RIB (rigid inflatable boat) ready to head out to sea for a snorkeling trip. Yes, I jumped in a snow-filled RIB to go snorkelling in winter. Yes, I may be a bit crazy. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/reflections-amongst-the-ice monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Ws5trtd/0/ZHmKp79SGHGfBzmzg3MvNQzGvnDsPzS3jrfkMNFv-1776120306-O/i-Ws5trtd.jpg Reflections Amongst the Ice The mountains of Svolvær, in Norway's Lofoten Islands, reflected in the icy cold water of the fjord on a clear March day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/reflections-of-my-temporary-home monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-CMMQbfp/0/8XLdzFzH7SwppzMjCjGQKWHw86TkFjXRXbLCt5rQ-1776120306-O/i-CMMQbfp.jpg Reflections of my (Temporary) Home From the RIB boat that was taking me out for a winter snorkeling trip, I could see perfect reflections of the rorbuer that I called my home for two nights. I love how their red stands out against the natural blues and whites of the fjord. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/reine-in-bloom monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-84L6QVZ/0/Dpkv66ktLq4BBPbjjNQF27fVPNXMgCVfQ9bbwTznm-1776120306-O/i-84L6QVZ.jpg Reine in Bloom Flowers and greenery: two things you don't see in Reine in winter! This visit was a very different one to my previous two, and it was interesting to see the area in such a different light! This image and many more will be featured in my upcoming "Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Summer." If you'd like to learn more, head over to http://www.lapland.travel. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/reine-in-royal-blue monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-gdBh93X/1/Z7tfhrgGWBqx6dP9QkLNHCD6JRSDmh7rW6CjZGhC-1776120306-O/i-gdBh93X.jpg Reine in Royal Blue Reine turns a gorgeous blue colour as dawn slowly comes to Northern Norway in winter. The lights of the town have yet to turn off -- after all, why would they need to? It was only 9am! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/reine-s-changing-of-the-seasons monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-jvDtNTQ/0/MjxBXdF8rHjjGSsdhsKbSdNKrWh44rf4Fp2BqtH6-1776120306-O/i-jvDtNTQ.jpg Reine's Changing of the Seasons Six months ago, I stood on the Hamnøya bridge in Norway's Lofoten Islands watching the entire world light up in pink as the sun peeked over the horizon at 11am. 11am in summer couldn't be more different! The dominant colours were blue and green and everywhere around there was the buzz of activity, whether it was the never-ending stream of cars across the bridge or the boats crossing underneath the bridge below. Some things stayed constant though -- the mountains, the rorbuer, and somehow, my location on the bridge so I could get the same composition in two photos six months apart. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/rocky-lofoten-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Mm6Ghqz/0/FBxhnDrNWHj6w4Wk2Lc9Pm8kqGRGXZzbJn2C6X5vT-1776120306-O/i-Mm6Ghqz.jpg Rocky Lofoten Sunset Barely two hours after the sun had risen on our first day in the Lofoten Islands in January, it started to dip back below the horizon. We stopped at a rocky beach on the side of the E10 (the main road through the islands) to capture this scene. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/rorbuer-relaxation monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-RJSvcdm/0/FXQ7R8MbCWd9BhrZwVqTg6Q7R4F3rPqcdWrNqQKwm-1776120306-O/i-RJSvcdm.jpg Rorbuer Relaxation Morning in Nusfjord -- the lapping of the waves against the rocks, the cawing of seagulls, the absence of vehicles and busloads of visitors. It's a wonderful place to wake up and start the day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/s-rv-gen-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-L8DLpJh/0/KbQ7RTxqVmRGKjSKF44hkK9PX9FmmWKgjHLPFV6X-1776120306-O/i-L8DLpJh.jpg Sørvågen Sunset The sun sitting on the horizon, as it seemed to do for over two hours on this short winter's day in Lofoten. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/seagulls-in-waiting monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-7Rm92zj/0/D7v2tT3CVTj6KsKTNMhhd9DRhbtNrrWk4ZwD3BbG4-1776120306-O/i-7Rm92zj.jpg Seagulls in Waiting A few lone seagulls, stragglers from the massive squawking group chasing the fishermen out to sea that morning, waiting for the afternoon's catch and a possible feed at the docks of Reinefjord. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/silence-in-svin-ya monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-V5QxQbm/2/DSx5xzVCZ7JL7k9gh2QNsVWwnH5bWhmWcc6SrJJ9v-1776120306-O/i-V5QxQbm.jpg Silence in Svinøya I set out to walk the length of Svinøya Island in Svolvær to see some stockfish (cod that spend all winter drying on racks around the Lofoten Islands) up close and personal. While I was successful in this mission, I was also saw some absolutely stunning views of the fjord surrounding Lofoten's capital as well.

In the centre on the mountain side is the formation called "Svolværgeita," or the goat of Svolvær. In the summer you can climb to the top of it and stand in the goat's horns! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/stockfish-sunrise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-zVgQNdj/0/DfGQqDCc98bQHgZ6K7ws6QMfnmmkFr8mDBGtV4T42-1776120306-O/i-zVgQNdj.jpg Stockfish Sunrise The first of the stockfish for the cod fishing season hanging in front of a January sunrise at noon in Hamnøya. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/summer-nights-at-nordkapp monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FPHRT2q/0/DwwFSNCf8WZrKjmGGvg6vmvNbGZBD66CFmzpZ5gCn-1776120306-O/i-FPHRT2q.jpg Summer Nights at Nordkapp The clouds light up with the midnight sun at North Cape (Nordkapp), which at 71ºN is the northernmost point in continental Europe (if you ignore the slightly-less-dramatic peninsula of Knivskjelodden nearby). I was so lucky to be able to see this after two days of heavy cloud and rain on the island of Magerøya. The sun broke through the clouds for no more than 20 minutes, and I was driving for more than 10 minutes of that. When I finally got there, I had to sprint to one of the lookout points to get a shot before everything turned grey again! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/sunlight-and-icicles monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-BSdVVWZ/0/DwGXGWwW8w7sK5mNnctPh2Vnfb2wthH4Xg5j4G5x-1776120306-O/i-BSdVVWZ.jpg Sunlight and Icicles The amazing view that greeted my just outside my rorbu (to the right) as I got ready for a fantastic day in Reine, in Norway's Lofoten Islands. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/sunrise-becomes-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-9Ck4nTJ/0/ppCzhNHdfCWBwXHGbvxGchk9CJcqm4X8R5ZPkxRJ-1776120306-O/i-9Ck4nTJ.jpg Sunrise Becomes Sunset After shooting the sunrise in Reine, we had about an hour of sunset light before the sun disappeared below the horizon again. We decided to head towards Å at the very southern end of the islands to see what we could find. What we found was this amazing view in Sørvågen, a village a few kilometers away from Å. The snowfall from the night before was untouched and the light couldn't have been any better! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/svin-ya-right-out-of-a-painting monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FGcHt8T/1/CsMjRHs7w7tMB9Lmgfq2m5QkXjXL8X5R8CmQBj9Dv-1776120306-O/i-FGcHt8T.jpg Svinøya, Right Out of a Painting One of my favourite scenes from Svolvær, the 'capital' of the Lofoten Islands that absolutely blew me away. I think I could have spent my entire trip in Lofoten -- stockfish stink and all! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-blue-days-of-winter monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-bvtvdfQ/0/Cgg5ghKzb48jmP3ZMKfd3jmhrZg5pZ5bmT4BdKZTp-1776120306-O/i-bvtvdfQ.jpg The Blue Days of Winter 9.30am on a January morning in the Arctic Circle. Reine was an unreal place to visit in mid-winter, and the light made this village -- one of the most beautiful in the world already -- even more gorgeous. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-bridge-to-hamn-ya monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-2L8sf2P/0/zCZtfTCssFKBMkNrv8zkr2RW2xzWw6WbCt8zD3CH-1776120306-O/i-2L8sf2P.jpg The Bridge to Hamnøya The day before's snow clings on to the RIB boat taking me out of Reinefjord and towards my first snorkelling spot of the day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-calm-waters-of-the-north monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-FGLdnhw/0/DFLwtsCQVdZzdVjZXX5S3qZGD5VtqJ3h78SxJTHRC-1776120306-O/i-FGLdnhw.jpg The Calm Waters of the North On two previous trips to Tromsø, I had never made it to Ersfjordbotn, despite it being at the top of my "must see" list. I finally made it there during my trip this past September, and just...wow. It was even better than I imagined. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-epic-coastline-of-lofoten monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-cNPW4Rf/0/4TVqdSM7XbP8qs2Pb4BSzBn8L6Jcg6jsD9MJnbtV-1776120306-O/i-cNPW4Rf.jpg The Epic Coastline of Lofoten Seriously, what place has a more epic coastline than this? Fjords and mountains as far as the eye can see. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-fjord-s-autumn-moods monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-kCzdqm6/0/mM3kntTRkfffhKcrhsPMCr9L2qhr5XDwCxS7cTZ5-1776120306-O/i-kCzdqm6.jpg The Fjord's Autumn Moods Autumn clouds stretch in bands across the sky above Ersfjordbotn in Norway's Arctic north. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-frosted-mountains-of-lofoten monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-pLDjKD8/0/FBnHQJmdCVpX3MdpFNWV6qpxx6QGLGCGZM35xp43w-1776120306-O/i-pLDjKD8.jpg The Frosted Mountains of Lofoten The coastline of the Lofoten Islands, as seen from the RIB boat that took me out snorkelling, could not have been more spectacular if it tried. The snowy frosting on top of the mountains just served to make it even more beautiful. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-glow-of-an-arctic-dawn-at-noon monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-DTdFS4J/0/TfpDshcn7ZQ9wTrNc384kWkhqLjS6WdsW9HCNLB6-1776120306-O/i-DTdFS4J.jpg The Glow of an Arctic Dawn...at Noon Location: Hamnøya, Lofoten Islands, Norway Wow. What else can I say to describe what it was like to be in Reine on this winter morning? After a few mornings of cloud, it finally cleared and we were treated to two continuous hours of sunset, with beautiful oranges and yellows to the south and pinks to the north. Just stunning. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-land-of-the-setting-sun monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-GqQSfjc/0/CtWjcR7QnzHRvh49wn5hHz76wgbpTX3hxDb7m3P5X-1776120306-O/i-GqQSfjc.jpg The Land of the Setting Sun I reckon this cabin has one of the best views in Lofoten in January, when the sun sits just over the horizon for hours at a time. The sun had been up for just less than 2 hours when I captured this scene. 15 minutes later, it was gone for the day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-lone-fisherman monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-MKSzjCJ/1/3Dv99VrJRbtfGhVDDv8j6NFVQVBJLpN6JSWkm8vv-1776120306-O/i-MKSzjCJ.jpg The Lone Fisherman A lone fisherman heads out to sea on a gorgeous morning in Svolvær. Maybe he was training for the World Cod Fishing Championships the next weekend? https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-orange-glow-of-a-late-night-roadtrip monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-tDdWKfh/0/2TskWcH5jnsTHbb3vNj6L8XmqHjCPSMnwWMvhJLp-1776120306-O/i-tDdWKfh.jpg The Orange Glow of a Late-Night Roadtrip The sky glows orange with the midnight sun over the Tjeldsund Bridge that links the mainland with the islands of Vesterålen and Lofoten. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-paris-of-the-north monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-v9cLgPF/0/6PbfB68c9GtpgdndXJBq4dm95K8WmP4nP7tH7wzB-1776120306-O/i-v9cLgPF.jpg The Paris of the North So Tromsø didn't really remind me of Paris (at least, the Paris I've seen in photos), and I feel like if there was this much snow over Paris the French would have some serious problems. That doesn't mean it wasn't a gorgeous town though. I loved the colourful buildings against the backdrop of the harbour and mountains beyond. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-perfect-little-fishing-village monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-NM53zsN/0/DTTPg5BbxDhvpfZj3ZHDjWZqwR8f9tmGHdDW6k2N-1776120306-O/i-NM53zsN.jpg The Perfect "Little" Fishing Village This scene looks, at first glance, like it could have been taken in one of the many small fishing villages that dot the coastline of Lofoten. In actual fact, it was captured on the island of Svinøya in the middle of Lofoten's capital city of Svolvær! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-rorbuer-of-reine monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-6qC2PcS/0/kjFTrS9VkjbQ7nFpk2nrKTwfWWGrfNZdBxBmGJR3-1776120306-O/i-6qC2PcS.jpg The Rorbuer of Reine Reinefjord was picture perfect on my first morning there. It was so full of colour, with the traditional fishermen's cabins (rorbuer) dotting the shoreline with their brilliant red and the blue sky reflecting perfectly in the almost purple waters of the fjord. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-smell-of-money-in-the-morning monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-N7pdhP4/0/DhQSnwP2bG8wZwRmfbnSpwWtwLPrXCDBQS4LxdH3h-1776120306-O/i-N7pdhP4.jpg The Smell of Money in the Morning Winter in the Lofoten Islands can be an assault on the nose with all of the cod hanging out to dry around the fishing villages...but the locals don't mind because it's the "smell of money." I loved the wintery light I had during my walk around the island of Svinøya; the clouds over the sun made the already weak sun even more golden. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-snowy-road-to-kabelv-g monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-Zcnv6JG/1/DvsDxBrLwfbGxd6GqX2G5F2xj95VQHddd5zd9H5Dz-1776120306-O/i-Zcnv6JG.jpg The Snowy Road to Kabelvåg What to do on a snowy afternoon when you've missed the other activity you planned? Hike up the side of a fjord through the snow! This was the view from the top of my walk from Svolvær in Norway's Lofoten Islands, looking out towards Kabelvåg and the Norwegian Sea beyond. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-sound-of-seagulls monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-CCwrS99/0/HBxzHgLX2XdS3gPKnXmsLx7ZcGpdBHXfbdS77CPF-1776120306-O/i-CCwrS99.jpg The Sound of Seagulls All I can hear when I look at this photo is the raucous din of Reine's ever-present seagulls, seen just to the right of the dock as they swoop and play just above the near-freezing waters of the fjord. This was such a change from the day before, when clear blue skies and golden light filled the fjord, but it was still a stunning scene. Even as the snow moved back in and completely blocked my view of the mountains, I wondered why I had to leave. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-stormy-barents-sea monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-xPvnH2q/0/C7ZjqFPX7xvfPGT2p57fxZJM7DFgrPkXvdfVdF4bt-1776120306-O/i-xPvnH2q.jpg The Stormy Barents Sea An island appears against the gloom of an approaching winter storm in the Barents Sea, as seen from the Hurtigruten heading east from Tromsø. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/the-vivid-colours-of-norway monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-c8Hf62r/0/DZR4pJ9kLtMpQx2mVNGn8DvsTmFQsJ9ht2j54fV9n-1776120306-O/i-c8Hf62r.jpg The Vivid Colours of Norway The vivid colors of Norway and the Arctic Circle. The houses really pop against the otherwise white landscape. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/under-the-bridge-and-through-the-rocks monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-JCpDjqS/0/DNkCp4vKPgncsNQ8gsP6djX2Jphc3H9pQwn5RRd72-1776120306-O/i-JCpDjqS.jpg Under the Bridge and Through the Rocks Everywhere you look in the fjords of northern Norway, there seems to be another waterfall. I've had to pass so many of them because I know I'll never get anywhere otherwise, but this one, with such a photogenic old stone bridge spanning it, was unmissable. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/waiting-for-the-stockfish monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-xDz8bCV/0/5Lg5H9PBdkj7gdRp8PjrmK3zRDXvbszkHKt6QcKM-1776120306-O/i-xDz8bCV.jpg Waiting for the Stockfish In the Lofoten Islands, stockfish is an institution. For much of the winter, fishermen head out to sea to catch as much cod as possible, which is then hung on these racks to dry. It makes the islands smell a bit off, but you get used to it! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/welcome-to-my-rorbu monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-nC4jFwD/0/DczzGkqNVk838cLv2vwKT9TmgGzFrDWSdhRvrQhmr-1776120306-O/i-nC4jFwD.jpg Welcome to my Rorbu Reine, in the Lofoten Islands, is an incredibly special place. While this wasn't the rorbu (old fisherman's cottage) that I stayed in, I had a very similar view from mine. I couldn't believe the view as I looked out the window on my first morning there. It was only slightly more unbelievable than the fact that I was about to go snorkeling from a boat covered in snow in water that was 4ºC! Prior to visiting Reine, New Zealand was the only place I was really intent on visiting again and again. Now I have another place on my 'must go back to' list -- and in both winter and summer too! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/northern-norway/winter-in-mager-ya monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Northern-Norway/i-RmLqX9Q/0/Pkr2fwcMwd7DKhJfSRhx9V6phjZdrK26ZbqvSGsz-1776120306-O/i-RmLqX9Q.jpg Winter in Magerøya The island of Magerøya in Norway's Arctic north is an interesting place to visit in winter, especially because it's so far north (at 71º north) that it has no trees on the entire island -- meaning it often turns into a sea of white, especially when storms like the one on the horizon roll in! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/portugal/rabelo-reflections monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Portugal/i-cDsNWdV/0/vS4VgwwCdshDTk5sk2QqLhgrKG2wMw3Srsm8GdtX-1776120307-O/i-cDsNWdV.jpg Rabelo Reflections A rabelo boat passes by ours as we cruise down the River Douro in between all of the port vineyards perched on the hills. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/portugal/rabelos-at-midnight monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Portugal/i-k3MvmgD/0/XZNZgFPJnFK5Ldw3JPjGZDC7wxWNksL4KpNHJbcn-1776120307-O/i-k3MvmgD.jpg Rabelos at Midnight Some of the many rabelos, which take tourists on cruises up and down the Douro River, at port near midnight in Porto. This was the one photo I was adamant I wanted to get before I arrived in the city -- and even though it nearly resulted in me getting pickpocketed, I'm happy I got it. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/portugal/santa-luzia-sunrise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Portugal/i-rN7ZBxP/0/CwXQvnWkF38fmwhLCcpDsMJbhdbnCX4hV74t5kdrR-1776120307-O/i-rN7ZBxP.jpg Santa Luzia Sunrise The sun rises over the Santuário de Santa Luzia and the city of Viana do Costelo in the valley beyond. I captured this view from the patio area of the gorgeous pousada where we had spent the night. What a place to start the day! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/portugal/the-red-roofs-of-porto monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Portugal/i-hkkGzTT/0/FZrL5pZ399VFgMqvhs5cLZ92N8X7CVKVVSfCjVFsz-1776120307-O/i-hkkGzTT.jpg The Red Roofs of Porto A panorama of the cities of Porto (far side of the Dom Luís Bridge) and Villa Nova de Gaia (this side of the bridge). What a gorgeous place! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/puerto-rico/esperanza monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Puerto-Rico/i-GM8NmRJ/0/FNMzjNQ9vJrzhrdKSZ8vPDcw497KTfwKzhpL7dQKx-1776120307-O/i-GM8NmRJ.jpg Esperanza We were lucky enough to have to wait at the beach while other people arrived for our bioluminescent bay tour on Vieques. This scene was even better with the salsa music blaring from the bar nearby! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/puerto-rico/the-old-fort monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Puerto-Rico/i-RkBwCGT/0/gtJbDJNCTw7XhkW899wzFn6GQhg7xpndPgzS3Vps-1776120307-O/i-RkBwCGT.jpg The Old Fort The walls inside El Morro Fort were painted such a vibrant yellow it was almost blinding. It added even more character to Old San Juan's famous fort that stands tall above the sea. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/puerto-rico/viejo-san-juan-en-la-noche monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Puerto-Rico/i-KpX5QZ4/1/qbh6hDTp3HFHf9pSJ2RQzwNctQB4J7wDsJjPqmkz-1776120307-O/i-KpX5QZ4.jpg Viejo San Juan en la Noche After a great day of roaming the cobblestone streets of Old San Juan, the sun set and the lights came on, giving the old colourful buildings a completely different feel. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/a-greek-temple-or-a-swedish-church monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-nkDN8gw/0/GC9Bsh8KRkq7BJ9rh4LndwgtCQZNVfLXsGZMxPqC-1776120308-O/i-nkDN8gw.jpg A Greek Temple or a Swedish Church? This was a couple-kilometer walk from Skellefteå city centre and we had to find alternate pathways after the ones we wanted to go on (mostly along the river) hadn’t been plowed, but it was well worth it. The ever-present clouds were lit up with the lights of the city and made the church look especially moody — my colleague likened it to the “Church from Hell” because it was so surrounded in red. The other thing that really struck me about it was that the columns and dome made it seem really Greek, and therefore a bit out of place in Swedish Lapland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/absolutely-abisko monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-qGp5C4s/0/DZcTM58sBwXzJxsNvnhv5JCMwxb74qLDRzh4PCMn9-1776120308-O/i-qGp5C4s.jpg Absolutely Abisko What a view! This was the scene at the top of the ski lift up Mt Nuolja in Abisko National Park, looking back towards the Abisko Turistation, Lake Torneträsk, and the town of Abisko. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/autumn-in-stockholm monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-tNXTgDv/0/FSTFr9DT9xqqXkSJ6jpSjHGs7q2bkk54B9V2p5XSJ-1776120308-O/i-tNXTgDv.jpg Autumn in Stockholm The gorgeous autumn colours of Långholmen in Stockholm. I loved visiting this city in both winter and summer, but I think I liked it even more when it was decked in the vibrant hues of fall. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/blue-marine monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-78hs72K/0/FPjGQkVKcTDwr4R34SqZxVwjQKqxwQfk7s7bgbm8x-1776120308-O/i-78hs72K.jpg Blue Marine The amazing Blue Marine room in the 2012/2013 Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland. Stepping into this room, carved by Andrew Winch & William Blomstrand, felt like stepping into the belly of a whale. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/blue-skies-blue-ice monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-qS7dDZq/0/FS768SGNd3RVqbP9XgFrzwH3dvCWcrszmqgkNm8Dt-1776120308-O/i-qS7dDZq.jpg Blue Skies, Blue Ice The ice of the 23rd Icehotel glows a deep blue underneath the brilliantly blue skies of Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/christmastime-in-skellefte monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-G2Vwm49/0/CtGsBcKWr4W7DBCFSQpWgHNbXmCFGHGMLkdBgTpCm-1776120308-O/i-G2Vwm49.jpg Christmastime in Skellefteå Even though it was mid-January, the Christmas trees all around Skellefteå were still beacons of light in the long night. This one looked especially beautiful, all frosted with snow and standing in the middle of the beautiful wooden buildings of Bonnstan, the old church village. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/colourful-stockholm-summer monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-mgkxgwg/0/Q7z4gXwvg7grkbnJCJk5HrBLH93VSPh9wLfpVXWM-1776120308-O/i-mgkxgwg.jpg Colourful Stockholm Summer The gorgeous colours of Stockholm on a perfect summer's day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/frozen-abiskoeatnu monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-HMwQT2h/1/Ph9LS6ftQm53mTR6HhPbkL7GgDk2p4pgGPSnJckV-1776120308-O/i-HMwQT2h.jpg Frozen Abiskoeatnu Frozen Abiskoeatnu Canyon in Abisko National Park. I couldn't even begin to imagine the roar of the waterfall in the summer in such a quiet, frozen environment…especially because the peace was so blissful. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/glowing-brighter-than-the-moon monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-fd8LvtP/0/QkHtM3m6DVjDX84LBzFmK7r9Kg6MFW3cB5qP5rxx-1776120308-O/i-fd8LvtP.jpg Glowing Brighter Than the Moon The 2013 edition of the Icehotel, with its entryway's ice glowing brighter than the full moon above. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/i-m-ready-i-m-ready monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-Fb7qFGT/0/D9PtHVkwvk83R3kRz9Chv3RjMjvsntZhWfz34KcX3-1776120308-O/i-Fb7qFGT.jpg I'm Ready! I'm Ready! The huskies of Arctic Husky Adventures all harnessed up and ready to go for a run back home. We'd just had our lunch on the edge of the snowy forest outside of Jokkmokk, and while I was feeling a bit tired from gripping on to the back of the dogsled, these guys looked like they hadn't been running at all! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/little-church-in-the-snow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-LQSkZ5r/1/DLbwKs5c8SVS4W85nJtcZLd8gKB5C2wGvT4GdKrjW-1776120308-O/i-LQSkZ5r.jpg Little Church in the Snow The gorgeous red tones of the Jukkasjärvi church standing out against the blue skies and snowdrifts of a late winter day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/odd-one-out monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-vWvdg28/0/bzKtVTRNQF5mmjJchnfMvs79zvMPhTBJK6XVGQbv-1776120308-O/i-vWvdg28.jpg Odd One Out In a sea of brown wooden buildings, built around Skellefteå's church so people could have somewhere to stay when they came into town for church on the weekends (and now used as summer houses), this bright red one definitely stood out! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/perfect-porjus monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-tNTwqxg/0/C3Bgpg9FxX7Pv2rsrMZrR2k7ZpcdPZWgHsNz8pcZk-1776120308-O/i-tNTwqxg.jpg Perfect Porjus Like so many places I'd visited in Lapland, Porjus (near Gällivare in Swedish Lapland) featured a perfectly calm lake that reflected the sun as it slowly dipped towards the horizon. While this looks like it could be midnight sun, this photo was actually taken around 9.30pm; now that the midnight sun period has finished, Lapland is losing light at a rapid 20 minutes per day! This particular place in Porjus is also a special place for me, since I have now visited it three times (twice in winter and once in summer), and it was the first place I ever visited in Lapland. You could say that it was the catalyst for the many Nordic adventures I've had over the last few years! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/pink-skies-over-jokkmokk monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-Fk86rv6/0/CXShGJjVMJBvdPLf4dMKfk6pg9JjbShnm3gxCM3xL-1776120308-O/i-Fk86rv6.jpg Pink Skies Over Jokkmokk The light in Lapland is nearly always stunning. It seemed like, even though the days were a normal length, golden hour and sunset went on much longer than they do in more southern climes. This shot, captured on the edge of Lake Talvatis in Jokkmokk, shows exactly what I mean. It was such a gorgeous scene that the reindeer even had to stop and look! To learn more about how to travel around Lapland successfully, check out my new 'Guide to Lapland and Northern Norway in Winter' available at http://www.winterinlapland.com. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/porjus-station-house-under-the-aurora monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-KzKc7Hc/0/m825bMzWVtqs4Fp7kgZL6Nz8kGsnSG6WcH42zhqR-1776120308-O/i-KzKc7Hc.jpg Porjus Station House Under the Aurora Auroras dance over the Porjus Station House in Swedish Lapland. They were still clearly visible even though it was full moon! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/reflecting-all-but-kebnekaise monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-Schk4jG/0/Df2D8hvcDCC6Pt2CPnHXQJ45bpskHNzg3cRHn6hq6-1776120308-O/i-Schk4jG.jpg Reflecting All But Kebnekaise The crystal clear waters of Ladtojaure reflecting the mountains around Kebnekaise, Sweden's tallest mountain (Kebnekaise itself should be visible on the far right of the photo but it's hidden by trees). Even on a cloudy, and occasionally stormy, day this lake was stunning to see. The mosquitos -- those black dots you see all over the lake if you look hard enough -- seemed to like the view too since they had gathered here en masse! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/rushing-towards-the-midnight-sun monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-PZRNTt6/0/DbM4D3tTqBCvdBbvdjDv9XwVQFhswNzmz9G6WTkfd-1776120308-O/i-PZRNTt6.jpg Rushing Towards the Midnight Sun The rapids of the Abiskoeatnu River in Sweden's Abisko National Park rushing towards the light of the midnight sun. While the sun was up at midnight, this evening in July was actually the first day the sun dropped below the horizon at Abisko for more than 50 days. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/skellefte-bonnstan monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-7v2DwBB/0/D8dHBN9fZ8tTr6bPW6g6hT4sh6xzMBKkNkSGVz4Np-1776120308-O/i-7v2DwBB.jpg Skellefteå Bonnstan I was really happy that my colleagues in Skellefteå (Sweden) told me that I should visit the old church village near the county church. This collection of rickety old buildings--where people used to come into town to stay on weekends so they could go to church--looked lovely in its healthy covering of snow! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/stars-and-stripes monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-SvPK9bN/0/DNF5nL2bvjMcngL38cS34L863QLxTtstwWvs2rDwg-1776120308-O/i-SvPK9bN.jpg Stars and Stripes I finally saw the northern lights in Porjus, one year after I first went there to see them. This visit was under the full moon, so I didn't expect to see much -- but this aurora was so bright that it still sparkled in the already well-lit sky. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/summer-s-first-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-R9DbCLr/0/CPTqkbrHWrmpdW9B3Gs357XkKsDXkGJnxGxFfm4Fq-1776120308-O/i-R9DbCLr.jpg Summer's First Sunset The skies over Abisko National Park and Mt Nuolja light up a brilliant pink on one of the first days Abisko had witnessed a sunset in over two months. The sun set after midnight and wasn't down for long, but for me, after having been under the midnight sun for more than a month, it was a huge change! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/the-church-of-the-eerie-red-skies monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-JrbL3Sg/0/CpJZ6vnXRZVJrRf5K2LR5KNNRHhcBgv4N4nKK5JZZ-1776120308-O/i-JrbL3Sg.jpg The Church of the Eerie Red Skies On my last night in Skellefteä, I went for a walk with my colleagues to this church. It was a couple kilometres -- not great on my leg that I later found out was broken from an incident a few days prior -- but being able to see it in this eerie light was worth it. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/the-mountains-of-lapland monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-QRn67qT/0/D4CKFpbtgpDj9g9VNJ9g6WzmRMj9DV6xwqvQMDq9s-1776120308-O/i-QRn67qT.jpg The Mountains of Lapland Looking into the mountains of Swedish Lapland from a lake at Nikkaluokta late on a summer evening. There was no longer midnight sun when I was there, but since I shot this around 11pm, I'd say that's close enough! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/the-remnants-of-stora-sj-fallet monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-3KDWzMC/0/C69rNXbFzBwhBTMxbbjZ7bPWZ7zZvH49pxtKQWfHF-1776120308-O/i-3KDWzMC.jpg The Remnants of Stora Sjöfallet Flying high above Sweden's first national park as well as the Laponia World Heritage area. What an awesome place! It's hard to believe that the waterfall in the foreground -- Stora Sjöfallet, the namesake for the park -- used to be the largest in Sweden before the lake system was dammed for hydropower. Apparently all of the rocks would have been underneath a thundering cascade. It's sad it's gone, especially since I would have thought the government would want to keep the centrepiece of its original national park. It was still a mesmerising sight, but I had to wonder about what used to be as we hovered thousands of feet above. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/torne-river-sunset monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-cS9PPK4/0/FQSx3Xg78H5nzqd6m4FGwdGqrmJXfVhVvjFqWZXVw-1776120308-O/i-cS9PPK4.jpg Torne River Sunset The sun sets on a gorgeous winter's day in Jukkasjärvi as people go for evening strolls across the frozen Torne River, the source of all the ice for the world-famous Icehotel. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/tracks-in-the-snow monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-KBRhbGw/0/DLKV9cxMqbK3G3CfMQfxmF4SMSNN6gPJpmr53xN6V-1776120308-O/i-KBRhbGw.jpg Tracks in the Snow The night I spent wandering around the snowy outskirts of Skellefteå was full of gorgeous winter scenes like this one. It was hard to even know what to look at -- did I look at the tracks that seem to have been impossibly laid down in the snow given the massive snowdrift blocking me from them, or the sky, which seemed to be continually moving through the colours of the rainbow? First it was a deep orange, then a strong blue, and now an interesting shade of maroon. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/where-to-next monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-n2c3LFR/0/CL23F9kXwvwkQfpxg95SqZKfb6f3BpcwWV62HwPL4-1776120308-O/i-n2c3LFR.jpg Where To Next? This sign, seen in Karesuando at 68º north in Swedish Lapland, was one of the more impressive markers I've seen. Despite the cold, I found myself standing there for quite a while, picking out all the places I've been and all the places I would like to go. The numbers were mind-boggling too -- from a bit over 100km to Kiruna, my previous stop, to over 6600 to Sapporo, where I rang in the New Year, all of the distances seemed to be quite a long way! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/sweden/windswept monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Sweden/i-3mvRxw6/0/FMpxx4XDtjNpHW7VH92FxgFz4TJvxjBGCCSTRzJks-1776120308-O/i-3mvRxw6.jpg Windswept This windswept, icy plain is actually the frozen edge of the Gulf of Bothnia in the Luleå Archipelago. The pack ice was piled up for meters above the frozen surface and the wind blew snow in our faces no matter which way we turned. It was barren but stunning at the same time. And yes, that is a hovercraft! How cool is that?! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/switzerland/alpen-autumn monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-9H3PQQV/0/CfRrmWj3tc6LckxZCxZz3zJnS9Q88fj6whJBFgVph-1776120308-O/i-9H3PQQV.jpg Alpen Autumn The autumn colours of the Swiss village of Mürren, with the Alps towering behind in their ice-covered glory. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/switzerland/an-apparition-in-the-fog monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-FxvZ5dm/0/bCMZFqqpqjCg79sJGp6XsBQRvsZPWfNsMnk8K3v9-1776120308-O/i-FxvZ5dm.jpg An Apparition in the Fog Birg, the fourth of five gondola stations on the Schilthornbahn in Switzerland's Jungfrau region, peeks out above the clouds. It was so cool to stand at Piz Gloria (the top of Schilthorn) and watch this station appear and disappear every few minutes! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/switzerland/between-the-soaring-peaks monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-tQvvmGp/0/C7LpQLKP4FN6dfkfsDhJQnZDSTS8BcwkC3ZJdR3vc-1776120308-O/i-tQvvmGp.jpg Between the Soaring Peaks A crystal clear stream running towards Lauterbrunnen between the soaring peaks of the Alps above. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/switzerland/jungfrau-high-above-the-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-vGxSr9j/0/DpDhhH7NNdzDNXXc4FQN7dp8r5xKPvxVLxDND8tSv-1776120308-O/i-vGxSr9j.jpg Jungfrau High Above the Clouds Jungfrau, the namesake of the Jungfrau region in Bernese Oberland, stands high above the low clouds of a Swiss autumn day. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/switzerland/m-rren-s-golden-cloak monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-BSNfQKB/0/DPSs65NbWPvFJb9jd2N3fTwxWrRCs6ZQX7BwzJxp4-1776120308-O/i-BSNfQKB.jpg Mürren's Golden Cloak Gorgeous golds and oranges beginning to coat the Swiss Alps. I was so lucky that my trip tied in nicely with the beginning of the autumn colours -- even if I was a week out from the peak, they were still so stunning to see, especially for someone like me that has never lived in a climate that allows fall colours! Add to that the cozy little Alpine village of Mürren and you get an almost perfect day for walking in the mountains. https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/switzerland/schilthorn-s-sea-of-clouds monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-VCgs6qL/0/D5M3HWdS9nwhCghZ4npSNVzPWB5K94fv5F7XQFZDC-1776120308-O/i-VCgs6qL.jpg Schilthorn's Sea of Clouds I started my day under overcast skies in Interlaken, but once I saw a live webcam image that showed what it looked like above the clouds at the top of Schilthorn, I couldn't buy my gondola ticket quickly enough. I had to slip and slide my way across the snow to the outer platform at Piz Gloria to get this view of the mountains peeking out of the sea of clouds, but the reward was worth it for the few of us that did make it there.
 Interestingly enough, this was one of the prominent filming locations for the Bond film "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," the only Bond film to feature Aussie actor George Lazenby as Bond. Even at the top of the Swiss Alps there's no escaping reminders of home! https://kristinrepsher.com/portfolio/landscapes/switzerland/sunny-switzerland monthly 0.5 https://photos.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Switzerland/i-fkPjHc8/0/FZ3P2F3sdRH8XgJC85NnbVD88q5MgZVfFmmNs9m6X-1776120308-O/i-fkPjHc8.jpg Sunny Switzerland Just when I thought I couldn't be wowed anymore by the Swiss Alps, I found this view. Located just outside the alpine village of Mürren (which can be accessed via the gondola to Schilthorn), this was exactly the sort of view I'd come to the Alps to find -- little alpine houses looking out on a sweeping mountain view as far as you can see. I'd be very happy having this as my summer (or winter) getaway home!