Aurora Australis at the Gate

A Notable Photo of the 2015 International Earth & Sky Photo Contest

From the photographer: “The Aurora Australis is the focus of this image. I had staked out possible locations facing south that would provide a strong foreground interest, should the aurora make an appearance. This old farm gate high on a hill on the side of the road fit the bill perfectly. I wanted to show the aurora in context of the surroundings. The beams could be seen with the naked eye. They danced across the sky for at least an hour. Fortunately, all the elements I had hoped for fell into place on this night. I hope this image captures the beauty of the southern lights and the landscape on the Tasman Peninsula.”