This astounding one-of-a-kind photo of barrrenground caribou silhouetted by a veil of aurora borealis was taken by professional photographer David Olson during a 2009 'Caribou, Autumn Colours & Aurora' expedition to the northern Canadian mainland Arctic. A fulll moon behind the photographer cast the faint light that exposed the caribou and foreground, and made this photo possible.

During early autumn ever year, caribou in full winter pelage lull from their migratory patterns and spread out to graze across the countryside in pairs & small groups to store essential winter fat and gather strength prepartory for the upcoming mating season in mid-October. Northern lights start becoming visible with their ghostly displays in mid-August, once darkness returns to the mainland Arctic tundra.

Martin Zeilig