Wow, this was really tough to judge. Lots of great entries as well as just lots of entries!
I've made a comment on each of your photos below. Ones with an asterisk by it are the ones I think really stand out for representing the theme and technical excellence. We'll call those the finalists.
My winner this time is Pentaski with that fantastic aurora photo. Just gorgeous and I don't think it gets much more ethereal than that!
Nice work!
Second place (by a slim margin) goes to RollsUp's beautiful scene of the fisherman. I really like this image and went back and forth on whether or not it should win. A very nice capture of another truly ethereal scene.
Third goes to kjpino for that neat bubble shot. It's seems otherworldly until I look closer to see some landscape in the reflection. A fun interpretation of the theme and an excellent photo.
Here are some quick comments each of the images. Great job everyone!
Outis - nice scene and silhouette although somewhat earthly IMO.
SpecialK - Good capture of the rainbow.
Tamia - wonderful clouds, I can see the theme influence here.
Bruce - Good footy capture.
*RollsUp - Beautiful scene, definitely captures the essence of the theme and is nicely composed. Great shot!
KDavid - Nice landscape and a beautiful old oak. The mist gives and ethereal quality.
*Pentaski - Wonderful photo! This is the sort of thing I imagine when I consider the ethereal.
geomez - Nice contribution and interesting application of DOF. It has an unusual look to it.
horaczech - I can't disagree about the 15! Nice photo with the storm, woman, and the nice leading lines of the tire tracks.
*kjpino - Very nice bubble photo! I like how there isn't much of a scene to see unless you look at the reflection on the bubble. Cool and I think ethereal!
atupdate - a nice scene of the dancer. A bit noisy but I think it qualifies as ethereal.
simon 1982 - Nice capture of the eclipsed moon, a lunar eclipse is an ethereal sight for sure!
slowpez - Good flower photo with nice smooth bokeh.
PZ1pGB - an unusual photo and interesting too. I like it!
Weevil - the effects of a snow storm can certainly be considered ethereal. Nice.
Philtandir - Wow, that is some ethereal light for sure! Almost looks like the guy is smoldering!
racingsnake - beautiful bokeh from the Helios!
jacamar - I nice subdued scene with an ethereal fog.
GrimWolf - I love all the fire, what a fun subject. Certainly has an ethereal quality.
charliezap - This is certainly an ethereal sight! What a scene!
AggieDad - good cloudscape, I think it definitely counts for the theme!
normhead - Possibly the most ethereal photo of an outhouse I have ever seen!
Love the fog shadow effect.
*tessfully - Beautiful photo and definitely what I would consider to be ethereal!
*noelcmn - Great shot! Definitely some ethereal elements involved!
jchorst - Very nice shot! The light in the chalk dust is great and I like the audience in the background too.
lukulele - Peaceful, ethereal, and a lovely landscape shot. Nice.
simon_199 - Definitely fits the theme, I hope the phone survived!
StephenHampshire - Great shot! I love how the train is emerging from the ether.
fg-one - Nice catch, looks like a good show!
Dieterson - This just oozes "ethereal".
Quartermaster James - Beautiful scene and I like the fog as well as that blue in the ice. Cool!
Storm Chaser - Ooh, great storm shot! I think I might take cover at this point!
chmance - Beautiful misty scene and great catch on that incoming duck!
Hattifnatt - Fun shot and definitely fits the theme!
Tatty - a beautiful softness to this. Nice work.