Aurora Borealis Graces the Emerald Coast
Local photographer documents rare sighting of natural phenomenon in Florida's night sky
Like everyone else, I didn’t have “Northern Lights visible in Florida” on my 2024 Bingo card. I remember turning to my husband as soon as we heard that the faint red light was visible in Florida and saying, “I need you to get me out of the city lights.” He just smiled as I grabbed my camera gear and we hurried to start driving north. We made it to a construction area near Pit Springs before I couldn’t stand it anymore and made him pull over so I could try to get some photos. I set up my camera and was dazzled after the first long exposure revealed the warm red glow. Although the light was difficult to pick up with the naked eye, a long exposure on a camera helped reveal it. As the red lights stretched further across the sky, we traveled back to see it stretch across the Milky Way over St. Andrews State Park. We were up until 3 a.m., absolutely mesmerized by what we were seeing. It was an experience unlike anything else! — Patti Blake
Panama City Beach-based photographer Patti Blake works as a creative marketing specialist for Walton County Tourism, but she spends her free time focusing her creative lens on the night sky. Blake shoots moonlit Emerald Coast landscapes and specializes in long-exposure photography.
Photography by Patti Blake
Photography by Patti Blake
