I just had the most amazing photographic experience of my life… Myself & Michael Snedic run a 7 day Tasmanian photography workshop and on Sunday night (March 17), right in the middle of our workshop, we all experienced and photographed the wonderful Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis. Anyone who has been regularly visiting my website or Facebook page over the past 6 months or so would know I have become somewhat obsessed with the aurora in particular, and astrophotography in general, but to be in the middle of a workshop and see this was unbelievable.

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Aurora Australis, Tasmania March 17 2013

The setting was Coles Bay at Freycinet National Park, so the backdrop could not have been better, with the rugged Hazards Mountains a stunning foreground. We had scheduled in a sunset shoot this evening and due to the likelihood of the aurora appearing we stuck around. As it turns out the camera was picking up the aurora while the sky was still bright! We stayed out until midnight, as we had a booking on the wonderful Wineglass Bay Cruise the following morning, and it was simply the greatest spectacle to not only see for myself but share with the wonderful participants in our Tasmanian Workshop.

Aurora Australis, Tasmania March 17 2013

Aurora Australis, Tasmania March 17 2013

Aurora Australis, Tasmania March 17 2013

Aurora Australis, Tasmania March 17 2013

Aurora Australis, Tasmania March 17 2013

Aurora Australis, Tasmania March 17 2013

Whilst aurora sightings are fairly rare, rest assured, my obsession will pay off… Anyone on one of my workshops can be assured that if there is any chance of sighting an aurora I will take you there.

NEW: Aurora Australis Tasmania page with links to all my aurora related posts, and other online references.