These images capture the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) over northern Iceland during an unforgettable night near Akureyri. Photographed on February 21, 2013, this display of dancing green aurora was the result of careful planning, rapid travel decisions, and a bit of luck under Iceland’s unpredictable winter skies.
These photographs were taken during a six-day trip to Iceland in February 2013. We stayed in Reykjavík and initially booked several northern lights tours, hoping for clear skies. Unfortunately, for the first four days the weather did not cooperate — persistent clouds and rain made aurora viewing impossible.
On the fifth day, weather forecasts showed a brief clearing on the opposite side of the island. With little time to think, we made a dramatic change to our travel plans and flew north to Akureyri, reserving a last-minute northern lights tour. The decision paid off: that night the skies cleared and the aurora appeared in bright arcs and curtains above the snow-covered landscape. Every image in this post was captured during that single night.
Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM (ultra-wide)
Exposure: 15 seconds
Aperture: f/2.8
ISO: 1600
Support: Tripod, Canon remote release
Location: Akureyri, Iceland
Date: February 21, 2013
The ultra-wide Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM lens was purchased specifically for aurora photography. Its wide field of view and fast aperture are ideal for capturing large auroral structures together with the foreground landscape — especially when the lights are changing quickly.
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, Astrophotography |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, Astrophotography |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, Astrophotography |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, Astrophotography |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, Astrophotography |
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| Astrophotography - The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
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| Astrophotography The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
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| The Northern Lights (the Aurora Borealis), Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
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| Northern Lights - Akureyri Iceland - Canon 40D, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM |
This night became an important lesson for us. When it seemed that the weather had defeated our plans and the Northern Lights were out of reach, we discovered that a solution still existed. By flying to another part of the island, we learned that Iceland’s skies are never the same everywhere at once. The aurora rewarded our persistence, reminding us that nature favors patience, curiosity, and the willingness to change course.
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