The Solar Wind
Solar wind conditions were somewhat reflective of a high speed stream. Speeds were in the 400-500 km/s range. Bz had been modestly south (to -5 nT) during the day and was hovering barely negative in the early evening. What probably drew me out the most was the clear skies and the moon phase (waning crescent). The night would be great for astrophotography. I planned to get at least 15 miles north of town to get away from the city lights.
Wabana Lake Ice Fishing
When I got to Wabana Lake and walked out onto the ice, there was a small ice fishing party going on. Typically, I would walk from the boat landing out to the end of the point, where I would have a great view of the northern horizon. This is the closest and most accessible spot with a view to the north without any nearby artificial lights. This time, there were ATVs and trucks with their headlights on and generators running. I could not shoot from my normal spot. I'd have to walk past them to have a dark view of the northern horizon, but I wasn't sure how they'd react if someone just appeared out of the darkness because I was just walking-- not driving a vehicle with headlights.
Since they had a conversation going, and their trucks were idling, I figured I could just sneak around without being noticed. I certainly would not be heard unless my feet made a loud noise on the snow. It was cold enough that the snow made a barking sound when you walked on it, but if I stayed far enough away, they would not hear me. I also had to stay out of their headlights. I set in a course for the eastern shoreline, where there was another small point with a campground. I could walk through the campground and get on the north side of that point, remaining behind trees while setting up my camera. However, they started to pack up, and their headlights were moving around. I moved as quickly as possible.
Close to the eastern point, the Zodiacal light caught my eye. I was not expecting this, so I quickly set up and snapped a photo to the west. I should have expected it because it wasn't too far away from the equinox, the time was just barely after the end of astronomical twilight, so the dust in the ecliptic plane would be most illuminated, and the Zodiacal light is most visible in the evening at this time of year. I was close enough to the point to have trees between me and the ice fishing party, so I was able to snap a photo without being illuminated.
I continued across the point to the northern side, finding a spot safely out of view. This was tricky because the snow was drifted in a bit deeper here. If their vehicles turned and pointed at me, I could duck behind the trees. Here, I pointed my camera north to catch the modest auroral oval.
The Lake to Myself
I successfully avoided detection. The ice fishing party packed up and left, so I had the place all to myself. I turned the camera back west to capture the Zodiacal light without headlights illuminating the foreground. A minor substorm also began, so I also turned back north and got some auroral structure
Wrap-up
The auroras gradually faded because Bz gradually became more northward. By 9 PM, the auroral arc was barely visible along the northern horizon. I had likely already seen the best of what would occur tonight. I headed home.