Alec is a landscape photographer and outdoors storyteller with a zeal for pushing boundaries in the wild. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, and visiting remote places, allowing him to photograph locations the rest of the world shies away from. In addition, Alec loves to write about his travels and craft articles that help educate and inspire others to find their joy in nature.
A magical week under the Northern Lights
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Last week was special! On Monday night, just hours after returning from a work trip to Central Oregon, I saw that we would have the northern lights up in Seattle. So, at 8:30 pm, I packed up my gear and headed to the mountains. Unfortunately, I missed the "best" showing, arriving half an hour too late to truly capture the full extent. But for the next three hours, I sat alone on top of a mountain and watched as pillars came and went and pink hues danced across the sky. Then, Thursday night came. Anticipation was high, as many forecasters had predicted one of the strongest storms to hit the planet in recent memory. Jaimie hadn't been able to see any of the previous northern lights, and I was hellbent on making sure she got a front-row seat to the fun. As the sky was darkening, we arrived at a beach north of Seattle, set up our chairs, bundled up, and waited. Not long after we sat down, the lights appeared. While we saw some pillars and a glow, it wasn't a strong-strong showing, but was a precursor for what would come later. Around 9:15 pm, the Aurora Borealis arrived again, this time filling the entire sky with its magical swirls, pillars, and light hues of green and pink. (Remember, our eyes have difficulty seeing colors in dark environments, which is why what we see differs greatly from what a camera sees.) For 45 minutes, we stared in awe at what was unfolding, and Jaimie finally got her Northern Lights experience! And I have to say, it was pretty damn good for being so close to the city with light pollution! I have a free guide on photographing the northern lights and how to better understand them. You can see it here. Northern Lights Photos The 2025 Scenic Calendar is Now On Sale!In other fun news, my calendar is officially on sale! It's $28.50, which includes shipping and handling, and if you order today or at least before early December, you'll receive it before the holiday season. Recent Articles I've Written2024 Gift Guide for Adventurers: 15 gear ideas for their next trip11 Family-Friendly Things To Do During Fall in BendHike, Explore, and Enjoy Stunning Views at Haleakala Summit6 Epic Fall Hikes in Kananaskis Country with Amazing ViewsUltimate Guide to Visiting Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park (Fire Road Walk, Hiking, and Camping)9 Things to Know About the Washington National ParksWhat To Bring On A Hike: Expert Advice for Day Trips and Extended TreksREI Gift Guide: 16 Gifts for hikers under $50 One Last Thing!I've started a YouTube Channel to showcase my adventures in longer-form videos than the clips you see on social media. I would greatly appreciate it if you could subscribe to it. One, it will help me monetize it once I reach a certain number of subscribers. Two, you'll get to see my latest posts! 6 min video from Canada's stunning Lake O'Hara |
Hi! I'm Alec, an outdoor writer, photographer, and content creator.
Alec is a landscape photographer and outdoors storyteller with a zeal for pushing boundaries in the wild. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, and visiting remote places, allowing him to photograph locations the rest of the world shies away from. In addition, Alec loves to write about his travels and craft articles that help educate and inspire others to find their joy in nature.
I have no idea how it's already September. July and August skirted right along, and now we're experiencing the changing seasons up here in Seattle. A buddy and I backpacked 35 miles into an alpine mecca with towering peaks and rugged glaciers. It was a glorious place and an excellent way to disconnect from the world for three days. I hope you had a lovely Labor Day Weekend and that this week has been kind to you. New Photos of Alaskan Brown Bears Are Available I'm thrilled to announce the...
Chasing Fall at these 10 National Parks Here is a quick breakdown of 10 National Parks nationwide known for stunning fall colors! Do note that the times are historical estimates, and you'll want to do some research on the specific places, as the weather plays a big role in when colors change. 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina) Peak Time: Late September to early November Details: The park has a wide range of elevations, so fall colors start in the higher...
Five Days in Alaska Jaimie and I just returned from five amazing days in the Alaskan wild. We spent four nights in Port Alsworth, a small community in the middle of Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. From there, we took float planes to different Lake Clark and Katmai areas to watch brown bears in the wild and see the dramatic Alaskan scenery. This was my third time visiting Alaska, and it continues to dazzle. Seeing such remote places as they have been for hundreds or thousands of years...