We may not have a movie theatre, but…

Evenings in Fort Chip are usually fairly low-key for Leanne and I, but every once in a while – like tonight – the skies come alive and treat us to a show.

It was just about 8 p.m. this evening when I saw some friends who live further north had posted on Facebook that the northern lights were out where they were. I stepped out my front door and sure enough they were here too.

Northern lights over McDermot Ave. in Fort Chipewyan

Aurora Borealis over McDermot Ave. in Fort Chipewyan.

After taking a few shots around the house, Leanne and I decided to warm up the van and drive around for a better spot. We ended up Monument Hill, close to the museum. On the hill is a stone cairn marking the spot of the previous Hudson Bay Company fort. Since moving here, I’ve had the idea of using it as an element of interest in a shot of the northern lights.

Aurora Borealis and Fort Chipewyan's iconic cairn.

More northern lights over Monument Hill in Fort Chip.

I took a few shots of the cairn and also had a great view of Lake Athabasca and the islands from up top of the hill so I turned around and grabbed a few shots of that too.

Colourful northern lights over Lake Athabasca.

Then the intensity of the lights picked up again and I took a few more frames before heading home to warm up.

My last shot of the Aurora for the night.