Giant Phoenix captured in stunning aurora borealis Iceland show

These dramatic images of the aurora borealis have captured what appears to be a huge PHOENIX rising from the ground and flying over Iceland.

The aurora borealis in the shape of a huge phoenix

With outstretched wings and a striking profile the mythical creature, captured by photographer Hallgrimur P. Helgason, wowed stargazers in Kaldársel.

Hallgrimur, 64, said that the bird showed up in the night sky an hour after he got there and started snapping.

He said: “It’s really a thrill shooting the aurora, especially when they are so playful like they were that night.

“I have to admit that I always get an adrenalin kick when the lights burst out like that – that particular shot was the top one of the night.”

Hallgrimur uses a camera and tripod to photograph the lights and advises snapping in the dark away from city light pollution and never using a flash.

He said that the Northern Lights were mainly showing in green and yellow colours when he was shooting that night but also sported red and blue suggesting that the aurora was strong.