Looking back on 2025, the one post I wished I had included that I missed publishing when it happened was the aurora borealis. It was on my bucket list and a total surprise that it happened as far south as Wyoming. We saw weather updates that it might happen, but part of me didn’t think it actually would.
Cameras using nighttime settings seems to be able to capture more vivid coloration and contrast of the borealis than the human eye can. These pictures have not been purposefully edited to make them more vivid, but those night settings did make them more vibrant.
In case you’re curious, this short video is what the northern lights looked like with my normal camera’s video settings and what my eyes saw:
I never really felt or believed that any of my bucket list items would come true. (It’s a super short list presently and remaining opportunities are pretty out there). But as I stood there that night, I was filled with so much satisfying peace that if I don’t achieve any others in the coming years, I was blessed with this special one.
I saw the aurora borealis at least once. And it was everything I hoped it would be. Hopefully, I’ll get to see it again someday.