David Barthel - North Shore Images PhotographyDavid Barthel North Shore Images Photography
David Barthel

Photo Journal & News

Friday, March 22, 2013

New E-mail Format

To my e-mail subscribers: As you may have noticed, I have migrated to a new platform for delivering e-mail updates. Because this new platform does not require what was, in some instances, a rather awkward activation step during sign-up, for some of you, this may be your first message from me, even though you signed up a year or two ago. If that's you, I welcome you aboard (finally)! If you who have changed your mind since signing up, you may click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the e-mail.

For all others who have been already receiving these updates, the only noticeable changes should be cosmetic.

Thank you for following my work and enjoy!

David Barthel

St. Patrick's Day Aurora Borealis


It's been some time since we've experienced an active showing of the northern lights in Minnesota. Therefore, when I received the alerts for possible auroral activity at 3:15 AM, I quickly dressed, bundled up, and headed out into the crisp -8F darkness, all while a seemingly more sensible side of me was being tugged back to the comfort of my bed.

I drove to a location about six miles north of where I live in Sauk Rapids. Immediately after exiting the light of the city, I saw the unmistakable lights dancing in the sky. With colors ranging from green to blue to purple to red, the show of light lasted right up to dawn. The emerging light of day gradually overpowered the continuing auroral show.

Of the four displays of aurora borealis I have seen in my life (all within the past 14 months), in my opinion, this one ranks at the very top of that list for color and second for overall activity and dynamics.

What luck it was to witness this magnificent green light in the northern sky during the wee hours of St. Patrick's Day. I wouldn't have traded it for a four-leafed clover!

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