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Valkyrie...............

Discussion

36 replies
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 25, 2010 at 5:27 AM
How true it is that these are warlike virgins looking for men to slay is anyone's guess, but seeing them for the first time, well, to be honest I'd believe anything..

How something so awesomely big, and so fluid and mobile can be totally silent just beggars belief.

They make you feel very insignificant which, they say, is good for the soul.

I'd have loved to have been able to photograph this over water but it just wasn't in the right orientation, and it was difficult to scrape my chin off the snow.

Photography just doesn't do it justice....

Everyone needs to go and see them, then the world will be a better place...

D3
14-24 @ 14mm
ISO 400
Manual everything
Focus at infinity, f4.5, 30 sec exposure
PPLR3 and CS4

Just awesome to see..
Posted by John Robinson on February 25, 2010 at 5:35 AM
Breathtaking !

I won't get this out the window !
( Unless the missus has a bonfire )
Good stuff.
JohnR
Posted by Danny Green on February 25, 2010 at 5:37 AM
Hello Mate

I totally agree with you on that one Andy if everyone went to see this spectacle in Nature then the world would be a much better place. I saw my first Aurora in 2005 and I was completely blown away and I must say it very emotional and the experience will live with me for ever. This is a great shot and a great showing, it is a shame you didn't have a car to get out of town. Nice one sir.

Danny :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 25, 2010 at 5:42 AM
Nearly reduced me to a tearful wreck Danny - so you are not alone on that one squire :eek:

Thanks John - if you get the chance to see it - DO IT - it puts everything we stress about into it's deserved perspective, and makes you feel like a blip on the screen...
Posted by Mark Green on February 25, 2010 at 5:43 AM
Amazing, and definately one of my lifetime ambitions to see the aura.
great capture andy.

:toast:
Mark.G
Posted by Phillip Tomkinson on February 25, 2010 at 5:54 AM
Hi Andy it's the best image you have ever posted.

Phil.

:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :wavey:
Posted by john macpherson on February 25, 2010 at 6:10 AM
Gorgeous. I love your dramatic use of the vertical, and the wee hint of the human is absolutely bang on too. Stunning sight, excellent image.
Posted by Mark Davies on February 25, 2010 at 6:20 AM
They are just awesome spectacles and as you say make you realise your own significance.
A cracking shot bud , just cracking .A wonderful experience and thank you for sharing it here .
When I shot mine I lost my hat and a 24 70 , but worth it . :toast:
Posted by Rob Fisher on February 25, 2010 at 6:24 AM
Stunning photo Andy, top notch.
Posted by John Chapman on February 25, 2010 at 6:27 AM
Hi Andy, absolutely Superb. :toast:
Posted by David Taylor on February 25, 2010 at 6:59 AM
Wonderful. The Omniverse is amazing, we are privileged to be part of it, here on Earth.


:toast: :toast: :jump:
Posted by Ian Macdermott on February 25, 2010 at 7:19 AM
Stunning Andy :toast: :toast:


Posted by Tom_W on February 25, 2010 at 7:24 AM
Stunning spectacle, nicely taken.

T
Posted by Chris Lloyd on February 25, 2010 at 7:29 AM
Wow. I haven't seen this but I want to now!

C.
Posted by Stephen Kaluski on February 25, 2010 at 7:43 AM
There is life in the old dog yet. :wink:

Andy this is so refreshing to see, a real marvel and Nature at her best.

Superb :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

Steve
Posted by Tim Taylor on February 25, 2010 at 7:44 AM
One of the best pics I've ever seen of the aurora. Superb!

Tim :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Dave Bartlett on February 25, 2010 at 7:45 AM
Just superb - indeed we are all just blips :toast:
Posted by Tom Smit on February 25, 2010 at 8:34 AM
Wow 3*
A real breathtaking picture.
:toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Andrew Parkinson on February 25, 2010 at 9:48 AM
Sensational image of a breathtaking experience!
Posted by Paul Hobson on February 25, 2010 at 10:23 AM
Superb Image Andy

Paul
Posted by Andrew Harrington on February 25, 2010 at 12:01 PM
Well if that picture does not do it justice it must be something. I actually let a little oooh noise when I saw this. The best pic I've seen this year.

BTW are you sure the Virgins are looking to Slay?
Posted by Maggie Campbell on February 25, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Totally stunning Andy. I'm speechless - and thats quite something for me :wink: :biggrin:
Posted by Andy Astbury on February 25, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Andrew - they might not always actually do the deed but they certainly mark your card for you :wink:

Thanks for all the great feedback :toast: :toast:
Posted by Guy Rogers on February 25, 2010 at 1:01 PM
Hello Andy.

I can only imagine how good this must have been to see, and is one I wold love to see for my self.

Very nice.

:wavey: :wavey: :wavey:
Posted by Paul Rosser on February 25, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Hi Andy, a stunning image mate. The green is soooo vibrant. A lovely shot!!
Regards,
Paul Rosser. :wavey: :toast:
Posted by Ian Haskell on February 25, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Evening Andy, stunning shot....one I would like to have myself. I would remove the star from the top left of the image though as it seems a bit too bright in relation to the other stars. Incredible swirls of green which make beautiful patterns and well caught overall - worth posting into 'man and nature' me thinks...it looks like a sight to behold.

Ian :toast:
Posted by Liam Pauling on February 25, 2010 at 1:34 PM
Wow!!!

Needs to be printed big :biggrin:

liam
Posted by Bertl Menegoni on February 25, 2010 at 1:40 PM
A real ***** shot Andy
amazing
:eek:
Bertl
Posted by Andy Snape on February 25, 2010 at 2:25 PM
Top notch Andy, something that I must see for myself............one day!!!! :smile:
Posted by Graham Goddard on February 25, 2010 at 2:46 PM
wow Andy - magical image

I was in Lapland a couple of years ago, but it wasn't cold enough for these to appear :frown:

:wavey:
Posted by Karen Summers on February 25, 2010 at 2:52 PM
stunning shot
Posted by Matt Cole on February 25, 2010 at 2:58 PM
amazing Andy, what a sight that must have been. Very well captured too.

Matt :toast:
Posted by Kim Connolly on February 25, 2010 at 2:59 PM
Just brilliant Andy, stunning. :toast:
Posted by Sandra Hendrikse on February 25, 2010 at 3:40 PM
Wow, what a wonderful image. :smile: :smile: Very well done.
Posted by Danielle Nichol on February 25, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Seen the aurora in yorkshire a few times but nowt like that, what a stunning image.

As we are going in to another solar cycle the aurora will increase over the next 4 or so years, I'll try and post on here when its expected to come further south, info can be had at www.spaceweather.com shortwave radio propagation is getting better already :smile:

:cool:
Posted by John Robinson on February 26, 2010 at 8:04 PM
Andy
Its a good one but I have to say it's not your best image in my opinion.
Sort that out !
JophnR
Posted by Edwin kats on February 27, 2010 at 3:54 AM
Absolutely magical!!!! Well done.

No nits just a big fat (did I say fat?) compliment.

Envious matey!!!!!

Edwin