While taking a night sky workshop in Death Valley in March, I was treated to something I never imagined I’d experience: both seeing and photographing the northern lights. It was 10 p.m. when I read the charts and realized that if I were under clear skies back home in Minnesota, I’d be able to see an incredible aurora borealis show. Although our workshop would start in just a few hours at 1 a.m., I needed to see if I could capture the lights from Nevada. I drove a few miles from the Atomic Inn and found a small pullout along the highway. The clouds came in quickly as I got the 15-35mm lens onto the Canon R5 and set my exposure to ISO 1600, ƒ/2.8, for 10 seconds. Sure enough, I could pick up the northern lights on my camera’s sensor.
Beatty, Nevada – March 23, 2023Beatty, Nevada – March 23, 2023
When the group met a few hours later, I suggested we try to capture them from Death Valley. The strength of the storm wasn’t as strong, but I was indeed able to capture a couple of pillars rising up from the horizon.
Death Valley National Park, California – March 24, 2023Death Valley National Park, California – March 24, 2023Death Valley National Park, California – March 24, 2023
During the workshop, a highlight for me was getting to experience Death Valley after dark with my husband. Setting up for a Milky Way shot over the salt flats, we both were excited to learn that the glow coming into the frame on the right side was the lights from LA. Our niece was currently going to school there. Drive time is just under five hours away.
Death Valley National Park, California – March 24, 2023
Back in northern Minnesota, when the next solar storm hit, I set up two cameras in an attempt to capture the lights dancing all around me.
Northern Minnesota – April 23, 2023Northern Minnesota – April 23, 2023
The fascinating part to me is the constellations are different than most of my aurora images since I was facing south for many of these.
Northern Minnesota – April 23, 2023Northern Minnesota – April 23, 2023
While I have tried many times to capture the aurora in Yellowstone National Park and have gotten a glow more than once, it was on September 18th of this year that I was blown away by the show I witnessed in Hayden Valley. Not only was my camera able to pick up an array of colors, I saw the display with my own eyes!
Hayden Valley Magic
The beginning of December brought an aurora show that was mostly captured by camera. I could only see a bit of that hot pink on the right side of the image with my eyes. My camera settings collected the rest of the colors on my sensor: ISO 2000, ƒ/2.8, 3.2 seconds.
Northern Minnesota – December 1, 2023
I follow spaceweather.com for possible aurora activity. It sounds like we are heading into solar max, so the potential to photograph more of this incredible phenomenon looks good!
With this season’s snowfall off to a solid start, it seems only appropriate to begin 2022’s favorites with the Never Ending Winter image photographed in the middle of April. We may be beginning right where we left off.
Since moving to northern Minnesota, winter has become my favorite season; I make most of my captures during this time of year, which can last as long as nine months up here. January & February provide great dog sledding photo ops! Here Mike Bestgen & Lynne Witte end up side by side as I get ready to snap a picture.
During the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, the mushers are sworn in as mail carriers and bring beautiful artwork-clad letters on the trail. When their team crosses the finish line, the letters make their way into the regular US Postal Service. The officials gathering the bag from musher Damon Ramaker were surprised when they unzipped the sled bag, and a dog popped out to greet them!
I love looking through event photos and finding something I had not realized I had captured. How cool is this being able to see Andre Duval’s team and the spectators reflecting in his shades during the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race in Ely?
I headed to Utah in April for a night sky workshop with Mike Shaw Photography. I bought a star tracker a few months before and was excited to learn how to use it from one of the best night sky teachers I know. Fiery Furnace Lookout in Arches National Park was a great place to make fourteen 2-minute exposures of the Milky Way rising with my star tracker and merge them into a pano using Adobe Camera Raw.
Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park was a great place to practice a variety of night sky techniques as well. Add to that you get the bonus of a fantastic place to catch the sunrise!
A few weeks in Yellowstone National Park in early spring usually provides an excellent opportunity to photograph grizzly bear cubs of the year. Last May did not disappoint. Here the Beryl Springs bear makes her way through a favorite thermal area with her two tiny cubs in tow.
I finally created a picture of one of my favorite black bears, Holly, at the bear center. I was standing in the building and caught a glimpse of her coming right toward the window, knelt, and made the image.
My ‘best of’ collection would only be complete with some Amazing Aurora images!
As soon as I saw that glow in the sky, I quickly added a back-of-camera shot to my Facebook page to let others know the lights were dancing. It wasn’t until I looked back at my post the following morning that I saw the beautiful pink heart forming in the sky. The BEST part of photos on social media is learning what others see in my work. I asked for title suggestions, and we collected over a hundred ideas between the post, shares, and inbox messages. After much discussion, Tom and I feel this title fits perfectly.
Heartlight
The benefit of photographing with moonlight is that you can capture some nice natural light to bring out our beautiful lakeshore!
Shimmer in the Bay
STEVE crossing the Milky Way galaxy during astronomical twilight.
STEVE: Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement – the phenomenon that looks like a ribbon of pink or mauve light and has a “picket fence” appearance, with green columns of light passing through the ribbon, according to space.com.
Stairway to Heaven
As the swirling streamers of light moved across the horizon, the pillars grew vivid before my eyes. Capturing one moment of the dance is never enough; catching the beauty of the reflection is always a bonus! Photographed Labor Day Weekend 2022 in Aurora, Minnesota
With the Canon R5, Animal Eye AutoFocus, I could lock onto one of Alice White’s leaders as they burst through the starting chute in freshly falling snow. Homer and Wizard take center stage in this John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon photo.
Wind Swept Ridge They were three to four miles away, and the blowing snow added a little something to the mix. I had taken a couple of pictures of this wolf pack earlier in the day and went back to try to find them in the evening light. Evening light in Lamar Valley is some of the prettiest in the park. It often reminds me of the incredible light in a Tim Burton movie, almost surreal. This year, no other scene has topped watching the Junction Butte pack of wolves move across three ridge lines during the day’s last light.
As Tom took his solo canoe out to fill up the water jugs, I quickly got down on the rocky shore and dipped the camera into the lake to create this eye-level view of him paddling by.
Purple Haze Shortly before sunset, while photographing sunflowers along the gravel road in Sax-Zim Bog, I noticed smoke from the Greenwood Fire beginning to settle in the ditch behind the flowers. Kneeling on the ground, I was not picking up the beautiful hazy background the smoke was creating. The scene only came together while photographing it from above, so I hopped back in my car and made this image through the open window.
Rose’s Aurora Shortly before sunrise, I had the opportunity to watch the northern lights dance with my neighbors. That part is not unusual – everyone loves to be out when the sky lights up. This morning, Rose, 82 years young, witnessed the aurora for the very first time. She almost stopped giggling long enough for me to make a clean image. It’s close; the slight movement adds to the experience, in my opinion.
The series “Mom’s Day Out” needs at least three images to create the scene. This grizzly’s cubs took full advantage of the time they got to play with her. When she wasn’t chasing up the hill to find them, she was sliding in the thick fresh snow right alongside them. They’d climb on her, and she’d roll over on them. It was a scene to remember.
This Minnesota Women’s Press newsletter showcases a four-part series about wolves’ impact on our local ecosystems. It will also be featuring some of my wild wolf images along with our ambassadors at the International Wolf Center in Ely, MN.
As for the title, you’ll need to follow along to see what ecolution is all about and how YOU can make a difference!
In February, I went to Yellowstone with the sole purpose of observing wolf breeding behavior, with a focus on how the pack interacts with each other at this time. I got what I was looking for along with this stunning capture of the Junction Butte Pack wolves walking a ridgeline at sunset four miles away!
On July 12th, Tom and I went out after sunset to try our hand at photographing Comet NEOWISE. At 10:15, I switched from the 70-200mm lens I was using to get a close up of the comet to the 16-35mm to capture the entire sky. It was a thrill to see the sunset, comet, and northern lights come together in the same image.
First light on the mountains, the setting full moon, and a very handsome bull moose silhouette.
Autumn Light
Bull moose along the Gros Ventre River.
Boys Club
This fox kit was leaping up into the air and pouncing down on thick pieces it dirt; it would then toss back up and repeat the process! So much fun to watch!
Earth Bound
She was a vision to watch this spring while I was in Yellowstone National Park. Most of the time, I photographed her with a full-frame camera with a 500mm lens and a 1.4x. The image is cropped in so that I can see her face more clearly.
Face Wash
This young fox kit was always interested in what dad brought home for dinner!
Foxy Family
I had just finished photographing moose and was chatting with some friends. I knew it was close to cresting the horizon but hadn’t used an app to figure out just where, so I kept scanning the skyline while keeping up with the conversation. As soon as I saw it, I bolted, threw the Canon 5Div with a 500mm + 1.4x on a tripod, and lined up the horizon! Now, if there only would have been a big ol’ bull moose up on that ridge…!
Full Moon Rising
This summer, I had the honor of having my niece in front of my camera for her senior photos. Blowing glitter into the frame was her idea! LOL! We both love how this one turned out!
Glitter
“Raspberry” and her cub. Maybe not the most colorful image since the road is the backdrop, but I love the curious look on the little one’s face!
Lil’ Bravado
Monarch egg on a milkweed leaf! Our Andover home came with 8-10 milkweed plants scattered throughout the garden. Three seasons later, I’ve counted over 50 plants! Thanks to my friend Gordon Dietzman for teaching me how to find these treasures!
Monarch Butterfly Egg
Bull moose, Shoshone the evening he rubbed off his velvet. While I watched, he seemed to be using berry bushes with thorns to strip off that protective covering at a rapid rate. I understand that the process is not a painful one – but really, how would we know? Just walking through miles of sage can take its toll on human legs!
Ready for the Rut
Raspberry and her cub in flowers after enjoying some breakfast.
Red Blush
An incredible finish to the end of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon! Here Liza Dietzen asks lead dog Sphinx, “are you going to retire now?” The dog is ten years old and enjoyed every minute of this marathon! There were happy tears all around! Note, I also photographed her boyfriend proposing to her shortly after she crossed the finish line.
Red Lantern Finish
Young bull moose about to cross the Gros Ventre River – Grand Teton, Wyoming.
River Walk
Grizzly bear #399 and her four cubs of the year. Grand Teton National Park
Royal Family
Every time I have seen a wolf with this unique coloring in early spring, it has shed to reveal almost solid black by early summer. Is this winter bleach from the sun? In Yellowstone National Park, I saw it with the Agate pack wolves in 2011, the Junction Buttes in 2019, and now the Wapitis in 2020.
Sage Wanderer
Bull moose in velvet.
Say Cheese
After an evening of getting eaten alive by mosquitos while photographing comet NEOWISE as the sun set over Burntside Lake, Tom and I kissed in front of the camera before calling it a night. Okay, so maybe this was the fourth or fifth try, but I think we got it!
Silhouettes in the Night
“Raspberry” and her cub of the year. Seriously… just look at those faces!
Snuggle Bug
I absolutely love it when I get two different species in the same frame!
Squirrel! & the Boreal Owl
Here’s a photo of comet NEOWISE crashing into the aurora borealis early one July morning. It’s a spectacular thing to see. No special equipment necessary; you could pick it out in the northern sky above the tree line after dark! Tofte Lake • Ely, MN.
Summer Lights
Grizzly bear #399’s cubs of the year – four of the many reasons I chose to spend time out west this spring.
Teton Gold
Hard to beat the perfection of a sunflower.
The Golden Ratio
Bull moose – Grand Teton National Park. These three hung out for several days together before rubbing off their velvet. Once they polished their antlers, their behavior changed as they began looking for love!
The Three Amigos
There was sunshine, wind, and a little bit of snow, all playing together. As I drove into the valley, this bison was resting on the ground, covered in a blanket of white. There was zero sunshine at that moment, so I kept on driving. As I saw the clouds part to my East, I quickly turned around and went back for the shot. The majority of the white stuff had fallen off, but I like the standing portrait with a bit of light bouncing off his coat as he moved forward into the wind.
Weathering the Storm
This Short-tailed weasel looked in my direction for a split second before going about its business foraging for food.
Winter White – Ermine
Thanks for following along! Happy New Year! ~ Heidi
This product is scheduled to be available to ship mid-November.
The glow began as the classic green bow above the horizon. A short while later, the colors started to emerge, and the entire night burst into color! This image was taken while standing on the edge of Gunflint Lake along the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, Minnesota. The land on the far side of the lake is Canada, which is why this puzzle is titled Border Patrol.
Photographer Heidi Pinkerton sees wonder in the world around her, and she’s determined to share that vision through her art. Specializing in photographing the Aurora borealis and based on the edge of true wilderness in northern Minnesota, Heidi uses more than a decade of professional experience and a lifetime of intuition to create unforgettable images of wildlife and wild skies. But it’s nightfall that truly awakens Heidi. With loons and wolves as her natural accompanists, she finds endless inspiration to create evocative portraits of the night sky.
The four-hour interview was whittled down to a five-minute segment for the show, Making It Up North airing March 26th. On location in Sax-Zim Bog with plenty of birds to photograph along with eye-catching sparkles adorning the bare tree branches, it was a beautiful morning working with producer, Karen Sunderman, and director, Steve Ash. With the stars aligning just right, there is even a guest appearance by our very own Josie Pinkerton! ❤️🐶
Despite losing his sight due to a rare disease, Indy is racing once again! This snapshot made during the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in January captures Indy taking off at the start! Frank Moe’s team finished 5th in the 120-mile race!
This year’s highlights are revealed through nature in a way that not only creates heart-pounding moments but sparks a sense of joy in your soul.
Standstill Along the River
Driving down the road in search of wildlife, I glance over and see a deer standing in the river. Fifteen years of photographing wildlife have me turn around in a heartbeat. I know for a fact that a deer is not just going to stand in icy cold water for no reason at all. Even though I didn’t make out the wolf on the first pass, it was certainly there when I pressed the shutter!
As I walked back to the car to get my long lens, the wolf slipped away. The deer stood there for another hour before making her way to the shore.
Ice Shards on Lake Superior
As I sprawled out along the frozen shore of Lake Superior, the colorful shards of ice seemed to create architectural beauty in every direction. At just about 30˚ above zero, it was a comfortable way to generate intriguing images.
Spring Snowfall
Where the resident American Bison comes face to face with the migratory White-faced Ibis. Photographing these two species in the same frame would have never crossed my mind, but as the scene played out, it was a fantastic find to see the two standing side by side.
Spring Cubs
One of the main reasons I spend so much time in Wyoming during the spring! These tiny creatures emerge from their dens, and with mom’s help, try to navigate the world around them. “Survival of the fittest,” they say. Most of their little lives are short-lived, so capturing adorable moments like this one is a treasure in my book.
Scratch That Itch
More than likely, this female grizzly was doing double duty as she is scent marking a favorite tree to communicate with other bears. A couple of weeks later, I watched two different male grizzlies follow her around with hopes of breeding. Fingers are crossed that we’ll see her emerge with new cubs this coming spring.
Feeling Silly
With a few patches of snow remaining on the spring landscape in Yellowstone National Park, this sub-adult grizzly found the perfect spot to do a little stretching.
Evening Rendezvous
Excitement ensued as the bands came together. With storms looming on the horizon, I realized that the advanced planning of this adventure was rewarding us with dozens of horses in a variety of scenes! Ambassador Horses of the McCullough Peaks Herd.
Taking the Plunge
This image shows one of fifteen Wood ducklings that jumped from a nest box at just one day old. As I sat in a big camo blind several yards away, this little duckling stopped for a split second before taking that leap of faith and throwing itself into the world of the unknown. Within two minutes of the first jumper, mom and siblings were swimming off to the far end of the pond.
Early Morning Light on the Forest Floor
This Ram’s-head lady’s-slipper is a rare orchid in Minnesota. I am beyond thrilled to be able to photograph this threatened plant species in our boreal forest.
Wake Up Call
When a red alert comes across the phone at 12:45 a.m., Country Club Road is generally the first place I head to get a full-frame shot of the northern lights. This go-to spot, just a mile from home, is dark enough to see ribbons gliding along the horizon even during the faintest of shows. This night, however, I was treated to more than a glimpse. The clouds were parting as I headed toward the dock, allowing me to capture not only manmade structures but a bit of the heavenly sky as well.
More Beauty from the Sunshine Field
While driving home on an August afternoon, I passed a field of flowers blooming with color! Working the scene from a variety of directions, with an array of lenses, I found the one that catches my eye the most is this sunny delight that makes the sunflowers look a little larger than life, popping out in front of the cloudy sky.
Indian Island Silhouette
From the shore of Burntside Lake in Ely, MN, I was able to capture this stunning display of northern lights while my in-laws were in town visiting.
Sunrise Along the Madison River
As the rising sun burned the morning mist, I nestled down among the riverbank to capture the subtle hues of color developing before my eyes.
Watching You, Watching Me
On an icy cold day, when most of the roads were closed to travel, I laid my fleece blanket on the ground along the snowy shore to create a buffer between myself and the cold. Luckily the otters have a built-in system where their underfur has a scaly surface that locks together to keep the water out. And that’s in addition to their hollow guard hairs! I went back to my vehicle cold and wet, but it was worth the extra heat my car needed to pump out for the one-of-a-kind shots this scene provided.
Autumn Mist
Having photographed this bear for at least the past nine years, I’ve gotten to know her territory and how she moves through the area. Even at that, she’s still a bear and has a mind of her own. I took my chances by moving away from the crowd of people and setting up with hopes she’d walk through the thermal feature just behind the colorful foliage. With fingers crossed and a racing heart, I was filled with delight when she did just that!
All in all, it was an incredible year of photography. Connecting with nature in a variety of ways and expressing my art of the natural world brings completeness to my life. I appreciate your following along.
