In recent years, I’ve spent more time outside in my slippers and pyjamas getting ‘just one more’ photo of the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis, or as we call them in Shetland, ‘The Mirrie Dancers’.

I don’t know about you, but to me, Mirrie Dancers really do describe the magnificence that is the Northern Lights. The magical greens, pinks, reds, and purples dancing across the pitch-black sky with the twinkling lights of distant stars and planets playing a backing dancers' role.

I used to rely mainly on luck for catching these breathtaking sights, but there are some tricks you can use to help you (especially if you are lucky enough to live above 60 degrees north like we do in Shetland).

My top 6 tricks are:

1. Find a good aurora tracking website. I personally use the AuroraWatch UK app on my phone and have it set to alert for Shetland. It also shows the levels of current solar emissions. If these are low, you most likely won’t see anything. The higher the levels, the more chance you will see something.
2. Check the Shetland webcams – especially Sumburgh Cliff cam 3, Eshaness Lighthouse, and Burradale. If these aren’t showing any colour, you most likely won’t see anything outside either. On the plus side, if you see good colour in these, you will have a good chance of seeing something in the sky to the north yourself. If you live in sunnier climates, the webcams are a great way to see the magical Mirrie Dancers and maybe even make you long for a holiday in Shetland too.
3. Find a nice dark area away from light pollution. I’m lucky enough to live in a rural location and only have to step outside my back door with the lights off. If you live somewhere more built-up, you will have to head out of town and find somewhere with a good view north with limited or no light pollution.
4. Learn how to take photos in the dark with your phone or camera. If you have a night setting, practise with it so you know how to do the settings quickly (and in the dark with cold, COLD fingers). Once you find a good setting, make a note of it so you can use it each time you catch the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.
5. Invest in a tripod for your camera or phone. Your camera/phone needs to be still to get good photos at night. It’s next to impossible to stand still enough when you are shivering outside.  Just remember if it’s a windy night you might have to catch your tripod from falling over with a gust (trust me on this one – I set mine on top of our car and have had to make a dive to save my phone and tripod more than once).
6. This brings me to my last tip – dress warm. Wear a nice thick jacket/coat and a pair of gloves that have a touchscreen finger (especially if you are using your phone).  You might also want a wearable hot water bottle cover with a super toasty hand-warming pouch?  Wear a warm and comfortable pair of boots, especially if you are walking to where you want to take your photos. It’s easy to fall and hurt yourself or twist an ankle walking over uneven ground in the dark (I manage it walking on flat ground in daylight).

Lastly, have fun and enjoy yourself.  You can stack the deck in your favour at capturing these wonders of nature, but ultimately its all down to luck and whether mother nature is on your side at that particular moment.

In the end you should just stand back and marvel at amazing colours dancing overhead, and that you were lucky enough to be there at that moment of time.

Although they are never as bright in real life as they are in the photos (it’s all to do with our eyes and how we perceive colours in the dark), they are still amazing and a wonder of nature.

Remember to post your photos. Tag me on Facebook or Instagram so I can see your amazing shots.