Natalie van Aken, Eagles Nest Rock (SEASCAPE 2025)

This was my 4th consecutive night of capturing the Aurora Australis, and it didn’t disappoint! The location is stunning but definitely not for the faint hearted. The staircase down is steep, then it’s a tricky walk over slippery rocks, all while timing the tide just right, plus, no shelter from the wind! Fun, right? For anyone new to aurora chasing, she likes to show up late or not at all, but there’s something magical about sitting on a rock, watching the sunset fade and the stars rise to the sound of crashing waves. Running on fumes after an all nighter chasing the Aurora Australis and barely 2 hours of sleep, but still buzzing with excitement for another chance to capture it, I went back to "my rock". So here I am, bundled up like an Eskimo, timing the waves, thankful for my waterproof gear. The conditions weren’t ideal, clouds, showers, and wind, but right as the aurora started, there was just enough of a break to grab this shot.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.