HEIDI'S BLOG – Page 6

Pretty in Pink

by Heidi Pinkerton on February 1, 2015 in Northern Lights • 0 Comments

The test images revealed a thin veil of clouds and a very bright moon. Hopes of capturing the northern lights were slim, but there is rarely a time that I NEVER try. Driving north I found clearer skies. Just settling in to wait and have a bite of dinner, a pink pillar shot up before my eyes! The gear was in place, and with ten second exposures I was able to obtain two images that contained those pretty pink spires.

ISO: 1600; ƒ/2.8 @ 16mm for 10 seconds

A few moments later, the green bow stretched across the horizon, hanging in place for a good half an hour. Both of these images were made along the ice road on Shagawa Lake in Ely, Minnesota, and both were visible to the naked eye, even with the very bright moonlight.

ISO: 800; ƒ/2.8 @ 16mm for 8 seconds

Both images photographed January 31, 2015

98 Feathers

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 29, 2015 in Yellowstone 2014 • 0 Comments

My folks were following behind me in their vehicle as we drove through various basins and thermal areas along the west side of Yellowstone National Park. It had been raining the entire day, yet we found many things to photograph and enjoy.

Raindrops clinging to evergreen needles kept us entertained for a good hour!

With a Raptor Exhibition on the horizon, every large bird that moves seems to catch my attention. This hawk was no exception. As we pulled into a loop, it flew over the cars, landing on a snag in a small meadow. The precipitation had its feathers pressed close to its body. As I grabbed my 300mm lens, the hawk gave itself a nice shake relieving some of the moisture that had collected. As I saw the one feather begin to float to the ground, I knew that’s where my focus had to be.

My parents are the best in helping me come up with names for my images. Before the day was done, Mom had the winning title for this one: “98 Feathers”. Perhaps it was the sheer amount of road trips we took as a growing family when we enjoyed too much superfood and sang songs to keep us occupied along the miles. But as soon as she said it, it fit!

Here is the same bird, as it landed farther back in the meadow. My best guess on ID is a Red-tailed Hawk. I’m still learning, so if you know that it is something different, I’d love to learn more!

Twin Cities Public Television

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 28, 2015 in Media • 4 Comments

Maria Bartholdi, a producer for Rewire – Twin Cities Public Television, spent the afternoon with the Great Lakes Aurora Hunters during our Second Annual Gathering in Two Harbors, Minnesota last November. During that time she captured wonderful snippets of our day and evening, from educational presentations to light painting at Gooseberry Falls.

You can check out the 8 minute, 5 second YouTube video here:

http://youtu.be/dFSjSVvEBpE?list=PLPwSUrXqYXihAlL6wVOvabF6Gw-Ch9vY2

A number of Root River Photography’s images are part of the video.

From the Shores of Birch Lake

Shimmering Falls – Gooseberry Falls State Park

Viridescent Sky

Candy Land

On Angel’s Wings

Waves of Glory

Don’t forget to check out the JANUARY DEALS!

Saturday Jan. 24th – 4 pm Ely, Minnesota

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 23, 2015 in Events • 0 Comments

So excited to be at the International Wolf Center all weekend teaching a Night Sky Photography Workshop! Saturday afternoon Dan Miller will be giving a presentation on The Secrets of the Northern Lights. If you’re interested in learning more about this natural phenomenon I hope you come and join us!

Memories of Rookie Pond

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 21, 2015 in Northern Lights • 6 Comments

When we first moved to northern Minnesota, the Fernberg Trail was one of my favorite locations to shoot the auroras from. Even though cell service was spotty, it was a comfortable place to be alone in the night.

Rookie Pond Overlook had this big ol’ dead Jack Pine that added interest to MANY of my night sky shots. The sentinel fell in a windstorm a few years ago. As I often still stop to get a view, I rarely press the shutter there anymore.

This image was made on March 10, 2011.

ISO: 500; ƒ2.8 @ 15mm for 30 seconds

Prepping

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 20, 2015 in Everyday Life • 0 Comments

Having so much fun digging through images as I prepare for this weekend’s Night Sky Photography Workshop at The International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota!

This photograph showing the Pioneer Mine under a star-filled sky also includes a view of the lunar eclipse that happened this past October.

ISO: 800; ƒ/2.8 @ 16mm for 1.6 seconds

Gray Skies of Winter

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 14, 2015 in A Day in the Bog • 0 Comments

If it’s not twenty below zero December through February, we seem to be living in a colorless world. For some reason that not only relates to the skies, but to the rest of my surroundings as well. Add a little sunshine, and the dullness begins to sparkle and shine.

On one of those overcast days this past December, I took a drive through the Bog and came across this attractive hawk soaring overhead. Thanks to my friend, Jason of Jason Mandich Photography for confirming my ID of this Rough-legged Hawk.

Yellowstone Teasers

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 10, 2015 in Yellowstone 2014 • 0 Comments

While making headway on some exciting projects coming up this spring, I’ve come across a number of new favorite images from this past fall while visiting Yellowstone with my folks!

Surprise Pool

Hayden Valley Rainbow

Sunrise at Indian Pond

Stay tuned for the story chapters to continue as the year progresses.

Good Morning!

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 7, 2015 in Northern Lights • 0 Comments

With a text from a friend @ 2:13 this morning, I was out the door looking for lady aurora. The Bz had plummeted to -20 (which is a great number for auroras)! It was also the temperature outside. Driving to all of my favorite spots, I was unable to capture the lights. I could see the moon and stars bright above me, but felt like I was living in a fog bowl close to the horizon. At 3:55 I caught my first glimpse of green, and it was high in the sky! I knew I couldn’t see the lights anywhere along Birch Lake, so I zipped over to Bear Island where I often have luck. Sure enough! There was red recording on the camera & I could see a moving glow with my own eyes. This was fantastic!

With the windchill right around -40 and my car battery light going on, I thought I’d head home to catch a few winks. Fat chance! As I came around the corner at the 904 Road my eyeballs turned into saucers as I looked to my left. The lights were higher and brighter than they were just five minutes ago! These were six second exposures I was making, along with watching the show as I stood in awe!

!

by Heidi Pinkerton on January 5, 2015 in Northern Lights • 0 Comments

Can you see it?

The first Aurora of 2015 was brief, but filled with excitement! Though the charts had been popping all day long, we were given a mere show of only 14 minutes in Ely, Minnesota. With the full moon rising, a fresh layer of snow, and -20˚F, this 6 second exposure @ 7:14 remains to be an expression of the night.