by Tags These are all the tags used in my gallery. Have fun exploring. Iceland ForestÁsbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon in the north of Iceland. Geologists tell us the canyon was formed by a giant glacial flood, but the Viking legend is more interesting - that the god Odin's horse touched the ground there. The canyon shelters a small forest within its walls.In the Belly of ÁsbyrgiThere is a small pond at the "head" of the canyon. Above the pond the towering cliffs make a great nesting area for a variety of seabirds. The ocean is about 10 miles to the north.Hljóðarklettar RocksSouth of Ásbyrgi, the jumbled rock formation of Hljóðarklettar is a fascinating place to explore. Giant heaps and folds of columnar basalt make interesting natural sculptures.Hljóðarklettar CaveThis cave was one of the many intriguing features at Hljóðarklettar.Patterns in the PondAnother view of the pond at the head of the canyon.RunedThis runic carving is just down the road from Eiríksstaðir. Eric the Red was a larger-than-life character. One of his slaves ruined some property of a neighbor, and the ensuing conflict resulted in Eric killing the neighbor. For this, he was banished to a nearby island. Eric then sailed to Greenland, and convinced a group of people to follow him and settle there - famously advertising it as "Green".Tiny BeautyWe found these tiny flowers growing all over Iceland. They are really quite small - only a couple millimeters across. Not that it matters, but this particular bunch was growing near the campground in Skagaströnd in the north of Iceland.Doorway to the PastI've visited a lot of historic places, but for some reason Eiríksstaðir seemed more authentic than most. Perhaps it was because it was not the history of kings or great leaders, but that of ordinary men who accomplished great things without any fanfare from their peers, or expectations of historical glory. I had a feeling the land had changed little since the time of Eric the Red. I could feel how it was then - I could look out the door, and it was almost the same view that little Leifur had, over a thousand years ago. It truly was a door to the past.As a VikingThe inside of the house is stuffy and dark... though warm. A open-pit fire in the center provides heat and light. Smoke is let-out through a vent in the roof. It's not surprising to learn that many Vikings suffered and died from lung ailments. A group of people dress in period clothing and tell an oral history of the place and the people who lived there.Footprint of HistoryThe original homesite at Eiríksstaðir is seen here in the foreground. The home has been reconstructed using ancient tools and techniques to resemble what the original house once looked like.Húsavík HarborHúsavík is a charming little town in the north of Iceland. The picturesque setting includes a harbor, hills filled with flowers,a clear stream through the town center, mountains over the bay, and of course, a well-tended church.Northern FulmarHundreds or thousands of these birds were nesting on the cliffs at Asbyrgi, probably 10 miles from the northern coast of Iceland.Puffin CommunityPuffins are the most common bird in Iceland, although actually seeing them can be a bit of a challenge sometimes. They spend most of their lives at sea, only visiting the shore for a couple months to raise a single chick on mostly steep, grassy cliffsides facing the ocean.SailingActually, I partially considered the whale watching an excuse to get out on the water and see new perspectives in Iceland. Here a sailboat moves beneath the steep seaside mountains of Víknafjöll.On the RocksIn mid-August, after about 6 weeks of living in a burrow, young pufflings make their first flight out to sea, and immediately begin a life on their own. They may not return to land to breed for a number of years.Lupine HillsideWhen we visited, the hills behind Húsavík were completely covered in lupine as far as the eye could see. These lupine were initially planted as a way to mitigate soil loss. They've done a good job at that, but are now basically an invasive weed. Still nice to look at though.SailsThe boat we took was a sailing schooner. We used the engine for most of the trip, but were able to sail most of the way back. Luckily we had good weather!Thar be Whales!There are only a couple companies operating out of Húsavík, so it doesn't get too crowded. We mostly had the whales to ourselves... that is when they were cooperating. Whale watching involves a good bit of guessing, as you never know where the whale might resurface.A view of HúsavíkThis panoramic view of Húsavík gives a little taste of what the nearby landscape looks like.A Brief EncounterWhale watching is a popular activity in many places in Iceland - especially in Húsavík. We explored the bay of Skjálfandi - first stopping to see the puffins on the island of Lundey, then heading out to see the whales further to the west. Here, a Humpback whale breaks the surface of the water.Aye AyeThe boat captain was a nice guy... and he had an honest-to-goodness captain's pipe to boot!View West from HúsavíkMost of the boat traffic in Húsavík is related to fishing, but whale watching has grown to be quite popular in the summer. When you add in the guest housing and meals, it becomes a significant contributor to the local economy.Breaking the SurfaceI'm not sure which this is... perhaps a Minke whale?Fish RackFish hang to dry in the wind near the harbor. Dried fish is a fairly popular snack in Iceland.GoðafossGoðafoss is a powerful waterfall in the north of Iceland. Legend says that one of the local chiefs pushed his statues of the Norse gods into this waterfall when Iceland decided to convert to Christianity in the year 1000. (Coincidentally, the same year that Leif Eriksson set foot in North America)Gone for a SwimThe Puffin's bills are only colorful during the breeding season. The rest of the year, they're a drab grayish color.Hanging OutThe birds not only look like clowns, they act like them too. They're not really made for life on solid ground - they don't walk very well, and often crash land. They're not the most efficient fliers either - often having trouble taking-off from water, and needing to rapidly beat their wings to stay aloft (whereas most seabirds can soar). But, under the water they're formidable fishers, often returning to land with bunches of little fish stuffed into their bills.Headed DownWhale watching can often be more accurately described as "tail" watching. Here, a humpback whale flips his tail before making a dive for more food.Lonely BergJökulsárlón has become a popular tourist attraction, and has been featured as a location for a number of movies. Visitors can take a boat ride into the lagoon to get a close look at the fantastic natural sculptures.Cool BeachThe combination of crashing waves, misty skies, black sand, and immense chunks of contorted ice made this a place quite unlike any other I've seen.Ancient IceThis is a closer view of the snout of Skaftafellsjökull. The dark colors on the ice are made of sand and small rocks that have either been carved from the mountains and carried down, or been blown onto the ice by the wind. The glacier reaches nearly to sea level - the ocean is only about 20 miles away, across a flat sandy delta called Skeiðarársandur.Berg BaseThe ice is constantly melting and flipping into new seemingly impossible shapes. The dark bands in some of the icebergs are formed by layers of sand that were deposited amid the snow, when the ice was first formed thousands of years ago.End of the BergsAbove our heads, Arctic Terns cut through the fog. At our feet, some once mighty icebergs finally melted into oblivion.Ice WindowOn this day the weather was overcast, giving the lagoon an ominous atmosphere, and protecting the clear blue ice from the sun. On a sunny day, the surface of the ice will melt into a more snow-like appearance.IcebergAnother iceberg glows in the fogIcescapesThe icebergs float down a rushing river just a few hundred meters into the ocean. Then, the wind often pushes them back ashore, creating a bizarre landscape of ice and black sand.JökulsárlónJökulsárlón is a glacial lagoon located along the south coast of Iceland where a tongue of the giant Vatnajökull glacier has melted. Giant hunks of ice calve-off and float - sometimes for years - before being flushed out to the ocean nearby.Lava FlowsHere you can see successive flows of lava that have hardened on top of one another.Geothermal TrailKrafla is an active volcanic area that has erupted many times throughout history. The most recent major eruption was in 1980. A marked path winds through some of the still steaming lava fields.Geothermal PlantEver resourceful, the Icelanders have tapped-into the geothermal energy with this power plant. A series of fat pipes transport the steaming vapors to the central generator for conversion to electricity.View of MývatnMývatn is a cold shallow lake in the north of Iceland. It's surrounded by a number of natural points of interest, making it a popular destination area for lots of tourists. The lake is dotted with numerous volcanic islands and formations.A Passing Storm Over MývatnThe sun and clouds make for an interesting contrast on the south shore of Mývatn. The name Mývatn means "Midge Water" or "Midge Lake". Midges are tiny flies that can swarm on warm summer days. They rarely bite, but fly into your nose, eyes, ears and mouth - making outdoor activities utterly intolerable unless you wear a headnet (which works quite well). Luckily, the wind often keeps them away.Mývatn HoodoosThese volcanic columns are located on the western shore of Mývatn.Forest PathThere are a number of things to do near Mývatn - a lot of short hikes, visits to Námafjall, Krafla, and a large natural hot pool just up the road. This photo is of a small forested area on the western shore. A number of hiking paths lead through the spindly trees. It's a refreshing change of view, and a great place to get out of the wind!The Earth ExhalesStiff winds carry away the steam from this vent. Iceland sits on the mid-Atlantic rift, where the North American and European plates are drifting apart. This literally rips open a wound in the earth. In a sense, Iceland is made of the earth's scar tissue.Bloop bloop bloopNámafjall is near the active volcanic area of Krafla. Krafla has experienced many volcanic eruptions, most recently in the 1980s. A geothermal plant is also located nearby.Námafjall PoolNámafjall is a geothermically active area in the northeast of Iceland. The area is populated with bubbling mud pools, steaming fumeroles, and colorful parched earth.Scmearth?There are a number of steaming mineral earth locations. Actually, I'm not sure if there is a technical term for "colorful steaming earth", but there should be... HmmmThin CrustPlant life can't grow in the harsh soil at Námafjall. Layers of mineral salts slowly build a crust over the more active areas. Distant hulking mountains provide a backdrop that gives some sense of scale to the landscape.Reykjanes LighthouseThe Reykjanes Peninsula is the home of the main Icelandic airport at Keflavik, and within a short drive of Reykjavík. As such, the area is visited by a lot of people who are spending only a short time in Iceland. This lighthouse is visible through the mist from a nearby steaming thermally active area.Bláa LóniðThe Blue Lagoon (or Bláa Lónið in Icelandic) is one of Iceland's more famous attractions. The facility is state-of-the-art, and the setting is picturesque. However, add in hordes of flabby tourists yelling things like "I don't need to sun myself here, I get plenty of that on the Jersey shore...", think about all the gunk you can't see under the water, and realize that the whole lagoon is really just the outlet pool of a nearby geothermal plant, and the place loses some of the appeal. Still, it's worth a visit... but perhaps the middle of winter, or the first minutes of the morning would be the best time.Geothermal SteamThe steam was so thick it was difficult to see the bubbling mud. The trouble was there were few signs or guide lines to keep you "on track", so it might have been possible to fall into the bubbling mud - not an experience you want to have.Careful!Throughout Iceland, tourists would inevitably stick their fingers in the scalding hot water... apparently just to get some verification... They'd then yank them out and shake them off - making a face that's internationally translated as "Yowsa!". Yes, that steam means the water is HOT! Reading the sign was good enough for me.HallgrímskirkjaHallgrímskirkja Church is the most prominent landmark in Reykjavík. Churches are rather ubiquitous throughout Iceland, and most of them match the character of the surrounding town. It's no surprise then that Reykjavík has the country's largest church. The tall white building is a very useful navigation landmark if you're exploring that part of town!The Walls Have ColorA string of colorful building fronts add life to the otherwise very practical architecture.Important MessageI was surprised to see a lot of graffiti in Reykjavík, but a good portion of it was interesting... and as colorful as the people and the town.Sun VoyagerThe striking sculpture Sun Voyager by Jon Gunnar Arnason is an impression of a Viking ship, and a reminder of the Icelandic heritage.Waterfall Near SeyðisfjörðurThe natural beauty of Iceland is everywhere.SeyðisfjörðurSeyðisfjörður is a compact town at the head of a long fjord. The ferry connecting Iceland with mainland Europe (by way of the Faeroe Islands) docks at Seyðisfjörður. Many visitors to Iceland start their explorations here.Seyðisfjörður RiverWater flows down the creek and canyon to the ocean at SeyðisfjörðurSeyðisfjörður FallsAbove the town, the steep winding road passes by a number of large waterfalls that tumble down the center of the valley.Seyðisfjörður StreetThe town has typical architecture seen in many Icelandic towns - brightly colored buildings with corrugated metal walls. Of course, it's all topped-off by a well-manicured church. A number of small businesses line the streets - catering to the weekly load of ferry travelers, but mostly the town seems to have an authentic and refreshing aire of normality.Fish FarmsThe town is somewhat isolated, but that's rather normal for Iceland. The road to town is a good one, but I wouldn't want to drive it during a strong winter storm.Skaftafellsjökull PanoramaThis is just a small finger of 100 miles of ice beyond.GlacierSo much of northern human history is interwoven with glaciers. We should take the time to know them better.SkaftafellsjökullAnother hiking path leads to this view of Skaftafellsjökull. The trail continues to the top of some peaks off to the left side of this photo. As large as this glacier seems, it is just a small finger of the giant Vatnjökull ice sheet, which extends uninterrupted for over 50 miles to the north, beyond the dark mountains seen here on the horizon.SvartifossSkaftafell National Park is located in the southern part of Iceland, encompassing a large portion of the giant Vatnajökull ice sheet and some of the surrounding low lands. Most of the park is only accessible by difficult treks on foot over tundra and ice. A system of trails does lead to some interesting features in the low lands near the main entrance. This is a photo of a rather well-known waterfall in the park called Svartifoss (meaning "Black Falls"). The water pours dramatically over a lip of columnar basalt.The Melting PointThe glacier is always moving downstream, pulverizing the rock underneath. It's this crushed rock that gives the water the dirty color seen here. Some very interesting plumbing carries the water over, under and through loose soils that are constantly being rearranged by the water and ice.A Brief History of GlaciersDown near the main park entrance, a trail leads to the snout of a glacier that is fed by Vatnjökull. The glacier is called Skaftafellsjökull. This marker shows where the snout of the glacier reached in 1980 - it has receded considerably since then.Cut in the EarthSvartifoss can be reached by a short (~2 miles) hiking path that leads up the hills from the campground and entrance area. Most of the foothills in this area are covered in thick brush, which gradually gives way to alpine tundra as one climbs higher.FossThis is a waterfall simply called "Foss" (i.e. "Falls"), it is located on a farm along the ring road 12km north of Kirkjubæjarklaustur (say THAT 5 times fast!). I really wanted to get a photo of the sign for Kirkjubæjarklaustur, but unfortunately it was abbreviated.SkógafossThe famous Skógafoss tumbles down from the glacial highlands. Skógafoss is a very popular tourist destination, but what most of the tourists don't realize is that these falls are just the last in a series of amazing waterfalls that tumble through the canyon further upstream.Skógar Folk MuseumSkógar is an area near the end of the river Skógar and the beach Skógasandur. There isn't really a town at Skógar, but there is a hotel, a famous waterfall, and a nice folk museum with houses from many different periods of Icelandic history.Turf BuildingYears ago, turf buildings like these were common in many parts of Iceland. This kind of construction gives great insulation - it gives one some idea of just how severe the winters in Iceland can be. All you need is a few sheep to graze the roof.Narfeyri ChurchThis small church is just outside of town (I believe it is Narfeyri). This has to be one of the most photographed churches in Iceland (I've seen many photos of it). The reason is that Álftafjörður (the water) behind the church is really beautiful, but there are only a couple places where the road is high enough that you can see any distance over the water. Also, there are few "things" along this stretch of coast to provide a good "foreground interest"... Oh well. Stykkishólmur can just be seen on the land in the distance.
