I should be asleep, but can't help sharing some thoughts before spending a few hours in dreamland. Sunday night and Monday night both had incredible displays of Northern Lights, which became Southern and Everywhere-else Lights.

Now early Tuesday a.m., I just stepped outside of our home here in Eagle River with our dog Casey, and we walked up the road, out of range of the street lights. Up over the Lake, the gently undulating glow seemed to be flapping like a giant flag across the sky. On the horizon were the lights of a lone freighter, and I wondered what the view must be like out there on the shining-big-sea-water.

Dan Urbanski had anticipated the moment, and treated my Inbox to a shot from last night's show. Way to go, Dan.

And now, if you'll excuse me, it's time for bed.

(Just a little side note from Daryl in case you've forgotten) Vote for your favorite pictures for next year's calendar!  Just click on any shot for its "Cam Notes" page, and leave a message containing the code "pc2002" (minus the quotation marks, no spaces).  Only one vote per computer (IP address) per picture will be counted. Or you may simply email us at pc2002@pasty.com listing your favorites by date (limit 12). *** Voting ends October 31, 2001 ***

Absolutely breathtaking! I can almost hear the eerie quiet and feel the chill in the air from when I used to stay up late to watch them dance over the lake. I was just having a conversation with some people a few nights ago, who had never seen the aurora (poor deprived souls!). They were asking me about it because they had heard of a young girl who is going to see them through the Make-A-Wish Foundation as her wish. I hope they are this beautiful for her! The conversation made me terribly homesick, so thank you for the great shot and impeccable timing!

She's a Beaut, eh?

I was thinking that the solution to limiting my calendar choices to 12 pictures was to suggest publishing a calendar with one week per page, thus allowing for 52 pictures. But now your showing back-to-back must-haves. How 'bout a 365-page calendar?

Even if they all don't make the calendar, it's great that these beautiful views are archived and can be called up on a screen from anywhere in the world! Thank you, Charlie, for staying up late in order to make my morning log-in a pleasurable experience!!

PS Thank you, Dan, for the same. You really do great work with the images!!!

I woke this morning to a breath taking WOW! I just changed the wallpaper yesterday. Now, I have to do it again. Like so many others this is my first stop every morning. Thank you Charlie and Dan for sharing this awesome shot. All the shots are great on this site. I would pay for a 365 pic calender!!! :) I am having too much trouble trying to pick 12.

I haven't seen the Northern Lights since I moved down here 16-1/2 years ago. Way to go, making me homesick again. Thanks for the great pictures.

The Northern Lights should be spectacular again this year. We are reaching the beginning of the down-swing of the 11 year high spot in sun-spot activity. This means the sun is still experiencing an unusually large number of Coronal Mass Ejections. As I understand it, it takes bout 9 hours for the material to reach us, so the lovely Lights we experience today were matter ejected from the sun sometime yesterday . . .

Or something like that . . . This also results in us Trolls getting the occasional sample of what the Yupers get on a regular basis.

Oh my gosh! This HAS to be part of the calendar Charlie! God paints beautiful pictures, doesn't he?

Thank you, sleepy Charlie and Dan, for a terrific wake up here on the west coast. While the night sky here is filled with stars, there is NOTHING like the aurora over the Big Lake to invoke wonder, awe and incredible gratitude to the master artist who designed this very special effect. And I agree that a 365-day calendar should be in the works -- I'd buy a bunch!

Monday morning was spectacular, but Charlie,how come every night this year when there have been northern lights, it's been cloudy in Copper Harbor? Maybe to be sure I come back next year...I knew pictures would be spectacular, but the spikes and streaks and puffs lasting less than a second or two that I saw were pure magic.

I have to say THANK YOU for the beautiful images displayed every morning on this site..I look forward to my mornings a little more when there is a breath of fresh U.P. air on the screen..I have used alot of these pics as my wallpaper on my screen and my co-workers who have never been to the U.P. are all now planning future vacations there ..I used to get the "How can you live in a place where there there is so much snow?" But I think they now understand why we LOVE the U.P. so much and even though some of us may have to move away for our jobs or school ...A piece of my heart remains in the U.P. and always will!

I saw the northern light out over the lake this summer, but never like this; if you go to www.space.com you can see spectacular pictures of the n. lights from all over the world...just like what Dan took! So, now we can say...we got them too! Thanks Dan!! Wish we could see them here in Ohio!!

Absolutely a beautiful shot! I have never seen the Northern Lights in person but this shot makes me want to move up there to enjoy this!! Keep up the great work on your photos, they are breath taking!!

To Charlie, Dan, and all those who submit these beautiful pix, thanks for the reminders of all the beauty and wonder God has surrounded us with. These uncertain days, they take on an even greater significance.

Peace and blessings...

Frank

The Northern Lights and The Lake. Two awesome gifts from God. As a youngster I used to walk my dog from 10 to 11pm in the streets of Houghton. Sometimes the aurora would be dancing and I would just climb to the top of a snowbank, lie down and watch. What a life. My family and I will be back to visit this Christmas, I am hoping we'll all get an opportunity to experience the lights. (Is it too early to ask Heikki Lunta for snow?) Oh, and Anna? Happy 19th Birthday from your loved ones.

We were on our way back from Negaunee last night and I thought the sky sure looks bright. I had to stop on 557 and turn off the lights to get a better view. Voi Kauhea!! I'm always impressed with those Northern Lights. Don't very often get to see so much red but last night they were. Kiitos, Charlie and Dan.

thanks for the Bday wishes mom. since my mom grew up in houghton, we regularly go there for family vacations. all my time spent there has been memorable, but a trip 2 years ago stands out the best. it was during the summer, and was the first time i had truly seen the northern lights. not only were they very vibrant, but shimmering as well. i've come to love the UP, and understand why my parents want to return for many other reasons besides the beautiful auroras. thanks for the great pictures.

looks like college day in here...ha ha ha! Anna from Purdue and me I am from Michigan State U , Anyone else step on up!
Well I of course agree with everyone else in here it is a sight only seen in a few places, Never have seen one in Lansing But then again there isnt a whole lot of scenic beauty in Lansing either!
I would love to see the U.P. again soon, Hopefully next Spring/Summer!

Hello all!
I always love the aurora pictures! Watching the Northern Lights has to be my favorite sky watching experience! Just a note to everyone else who likes to watch them also or who may want to try seeing them: The sun has been busy again and hurled a couple more CMEs at Earth. CMEs can trigger the aurora so be looking out again for them on the 24, 25, or 26; usually around midnight or so but they can happen at any time. I have seen them a few times as far South as Chicago here so they can be seen if you keep an eye to the sky and if it is a strong enough display! Heres hoping this up coming one is!!
Best wishes,
Renee in IL
PS If anyone wants some interesting links to some aurora web sites, with tons of info and pictures, just email me and I can send you some real good ones!

pc2002
A lot of great comments for this pic. Some votes, anyone?

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And no matter how many times I get to see the Northern Lights, it's still breathtaking and just simply awesome! What a fantastic shot Dan! Way to go!

We were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights when we were up in God's Country on one of our many trips up there over the last 30+ years. We drove up on top of Brockway Mt. and had a fantastic view of them. That time they were not in colors but sparkling white crystals swaying like lace curtains in the breeze.
It is worth staying up for, is'nt it?

This picture is AWESOME!!!!!! It has been years since I've experienced nothern lights like this. I certainly wish I'd had the opportunity to see it in person. No aurora's here in Phoenix....NOW I'm homesick!

love the northern lights. sure makes me want to be back home there. been away to long. love the U.P. hubbell is my home town. keep up the great pic's dan.

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Ditto!! I am a quilter. I recently bought a fabulous piece of hand-dyed fabric and pinned it up on my living room wall to figure out how to use it in a quilt and what it looked like. Guess what? It looks a lot like today's Northern Lights! Dark background, and wavy red and green colors throughout. Thanks. I think I have an idea now.

pc2002 This is a shot that can not be overlooked.

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pc2002 I have been admiring Dan's work for years now...quite an eye he has for the amazing. Dan captures on film what we try to describe that is far too awsome for words....keep up the good work!

I keep praying I'll see this wonder someday. It's so beautiful. I wish they would show in Alpena's skies.

Wow! We got the lights as far south as Kalamazoo/Schoiolcraft/Vicksburg tonight (10-27). Absolutely amazing! I didn't even see the lights when I was in the Keweenaw!!

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In the winter of 1988-89 I moved to Lake Linden when I was 24 yrs. old. They got the most snow that year than they had since the early 1900's. Bad weather seems to follow me (true). In Jan. or Feb. it got so cold that you couldn't go out side with out putting something over your nose and mouth, and even then you couldn't stay out very long. I was visiting a friend when one of her friends came in and said that the northern lights were bouncing all over the sky. It was so cold and I thought that since I lived in the U.P. that I could see the Northern Lights at any time, so I didn't go out side to see them. A few months later I moved back down state and I have never seen the Northern Lights to this day. Boy was I young and Dumb!!!

Thank you so much Dan for the AWSOME picture. It makes me wish that I still lived in the U.P.. I agree with the 365 day Calendar, I would buy a few myself.

PC2002 DAN YOU DA MAN!!!!!!

The first time I saw the northern lights was from the same spot. Thanks for helping me remember that awesome site!!!

Your site was shared with me by a wonderful up north friend and I just want to say THANK YOU! What a beautiful photo. The view from up there is so different, thank you for taking the time to share with those of us down south. I have added this site to my favorites list. It's a keeper.

Hi from Oz. I've been looking for pictures of Aurora, the town/city but all I have got is beautiful pics of its sky many of which I've downloaded. But, you folks up there, what's it like on the ground, in the town? I shall keep on looking. Yea, I would like to visit Mn again -haven't been for 20 years, and then it was winter, they left my luggage in Denver and yea, my eyelashes stuck together and I never saw a loon. Cherrio, Miriam