Astronomical Odds, a photo from British Columbia, Western

Photographer's Note

What are the odds that in a place renowned for cloudy skies and bad weather, in a summer with then-record numbers of forest fires, I would get:

1) perfectly clear skies,
2) no smoke,
3) the celestial phenomenon known as "Steve," including
4) a "picket-fence" aurora
5) looking south over
6) Mount Robson with
7) a perfect reflection in Berg Lake, along with
8) the Milky Way, and
9) a small iceberg floating in the water?

Seriously, what are the odds? If I photograph every weekend for the rest of my life, I don't think I'll ever get a shot like this again.

Taken a little over three years ago on the shore of Berg Lake in Mount Robson Provincial Park. The capstone to a perfectly wonderful three-day trip there.

pajaran, jemaflor, COSTANTINO, ikeharel, worldcitizen has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jemaflor (146258) 2020-12-30 23:12

Hi Clark,
Great photo, congratulations ! So lovely northern lights well captured, nice effect with water reflections, tfs and Bonne Ann嶪 2021;

COSTANTINO (115499) 2020-12-30 23:13

Hello dear Clark
original version with interesting
details perfectly executed
many wishes for a happy
New Year 2021
well done
regards
Costantino

dedee (2931) 2020-12-31 3:45

Stunning! And you were so lucky to get all elements in conjunction.

ifege (46891) 2020-12-31 19:59

Hi Clark
A superb night time photo with both those good reflections and the bonus of the northern lights.
cheers
Ian

vjmite (6514) 2021-01-04 2:31

Hi Clark,
That was a pretty rare concurrence of events. You forgot to mention the meteor streak going though the STEVE. Great composition with Mt Robson and its reflection, and the celestial fireworks just above the mountain. You were at the right place at the right time, but then this spot looks like the right place at any time.
Vince

jimmyjimmy (6164) 2021-01-06 19:47

Hello Clark

This one is over the top. Not many of us have the skill or time to spend in the wilds. A keeper here for sure. Beautiful.

Jimmy

worldcitizen (15956) 2021-07-25 15:41

Hello Clark,
I was looking at your new photo, and then I found my way to this beauty. Wow! What a unique and stunning scene. The colors are amazing, and the landscape and sky look like something out of a science fiction movie. Congrats on this capture!

ChrisJ (171194) 2021-07-25 17:49

Hi Clark

Plus the chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis so far south of the Arctic circle are much slimmer. I saw it in Tromso, Norway but didn't get any good shots like this. The auto setting kept zooming in & out trying to find something to focus on. In hindsight I should have used manual and set it on infinity. Tfs!