The bridge to nowhere
It was worth the 3 hour wait
29th Sept 2024
I heard some rumours of a possible dance in the sky but cloud cover was looking a bit dodgy for me, East Coast looked my best chance. Cloudy to start with but I might get a break. I can only hope lol.
I jump in the car, set the SatNav for Belhaven Beach although I’m not exactly 100% confident that the light pollution won’t stop me seeing Her dance, off I head. It doesn’t help my mate is in Iceland the now and has been sending me some amazing displays of the Aurora over there. I’m not jealous much lol.
I get parked up in the car park next to the beach, already dark so I’m a bit blind as to what to expect. Last time I was in Dunbar it was daylight and I had my mate as a guide. I’ll figure something compositional wise out. It’s a beach, there’s always cool stuff on beaches.
The bridge to nowhere, Belhaven Beach - the clouds are hiding a party as the Aurora dances behind them
It’s looking promising, She is dancing behind the gaps in the clouds, just need the clouds to shift and I’ll be a happy chap. But the clouds don’t shift and by the time they do the Aurora has stopped dancing. The up’s and down’s of chasing Her. For context the image above was the first image I captured at around 10.35pm.
For the next 2 1/2 hours I scout the beach looking for a sweet composition hoping She starts to dance again. There is a faint diffuse glow but nothing that the stats would indicate. I’m wondering if the light pollution is just too much. Also I almost get soaked 3 times as the tide comes in and ruins my perfect spot lol. Lesson learned, always know what way you need to run to get out the way of the incoming tide lol. It’s not turning out to be the best night but I have to keep hope lol.
Belhaven Beach - waiting on the clouds to clear
Still waiting on the clouds to clear but the Aurora is fading
Loving the compositions I'm finding but I get about 5 minutes then I have to move as the tide comes in lol
Really like this one, but guess what. Yup the tide took this view from me as well
It’s getting to 1am, and I’m tired and a bit fed up to be honest. Stats look good enough that I should be seeing her dance but just not anything to get excited about. Think it might be time to head home and get some sleep before work.
And then I spot a small beam. Is it tiredness playing tricks on me lol. Nope, She is starting to dance and I have almost totally clear skies. How a night can change in seconds lol (I say this every time I go Aurora chasing lol).
On the path alongside the beach now and the Aurora dances for me again
Aurora reflections at Belhaven Beach, Dunbar
The Bridge to nowhere under the Aurora
Northern Lights in Scotland, Dunbar
As the clouds start to drift in, reflections of the Aurora dancing with the bridge to nowhere in the background
This is why I love a wander in Scotland
And the clouds finally made me call it a night
A little timelapse of the awesome display I was fortunate enough to witness. It always is a humbling experience full of despair and joy. I hope you enjoy my blogs and I’ve love to hear from you in the comments.
If there is anything you really like and would love a print to hang on your wall, just let me know. All my images are for sale I just need to get things added to my website but it takes time and I keep going wanders lol, if there is anything in particular just give me a shout.