In late February, I ventured back to Iceland for a week-long road trip. My previous visits were always in warmer months, but experiencing it in the winter has been a goal for some time. Primarily, I hoped to witness and photograph the northern lights. Within 6 hours of arriving, I was fortunate to accomplish both.

Shortly after arriving, I picked up my vehicle and drove 4.5 hours (at night) on snowy/icy roads to reach the area with the best chance to witness the spectacle. There was no guarantee that the weather would allow a glimpse of the northern lights, but the forecast was promising.

I arrived here at 10 pm and the skies started to clear around 11 pm. I eagerly awaited the appearance of any aurora activity, and at midnight the first glimpses started to be visible. Their activity increased over the next 45 minutes and it became a genuine light show. Despite the freezing, windy conditions, I was immune to the cold as I witnessed the dancing and swirling over Kirkjufell (Church Mountain). Around 1 am the clouds moved in, the show came to an end, and I started noticing the tingling in my fingers and toes.

As I packed up my equipment and walked back to my vehicle, I reveled in what I just experienced. Having been to Iceland 5 times, I have come to appreciate these precious moments when the weather cooperates. All you can do as a photographer is give yourself the opportunity for a great image.

The next 6 days were dominated by winter storms, "white-outs" of blowing snow (where driving was impossible), cloudy night skies and few, if any photo opportunities. I continued to put myself in position for photos, but during one 48 hour stretch, I did not even take off my lens cap.

This can be Iceland...frustrating, unpredictable and sometimes unforgiving. However, when everything aligns, it is magical…and why I keep coming back.