Nature Photography

Lake Myvatn (= mosquito lake) is situated in the North of Iceland. The small village of Reykjahlid is a good starting point for good hiking trails in the surrounding area. Myvatn is famous for its vast numbers of birdspecies. During the short summer season many bird-watchers can be found in the vicinity. Next to this many interesting phenomena can be observed, most of these being related in one way to or another or a result of the volcanic activity that is so typical for this part of Iceland. Next to for example a labyrinth formed by lavacrusts called Dimmuborgir where all kinds of different plant- and animal species can be found such as orchids and Ptarmigans (Lagopus mutus). Next to this yellow ryolith-hills (see photograph below left) can be found, surrounded by fields with fumaroles and sulfur releasing pools. The earth surface can be quite hot in these area's and treading the surface may damage the crystalline crusts formed on the surface. Often trails are present. A good example is a trail leading to and following the edge on top of the crater of Hverfjall, where few plantspecies are found. On the slopes of Hverfjall many Sea Campions (Silene uniflora) grow on a largely uncovered volcanic soil (see photograph on the right below).

A hike over the lava fields of the Krafla volcano is an option as well. The last eruption in this area took place in 1986. Since then the traces of the flowing lavastreams are still clearly visible in the landscape (photograph on left bottom). A hiking trail is present. Close to the Hverfjall crater, forest can be found. The birches constituting this forest are only a few metres in height (photograph on the upper left). The soil where these trees grow is black and of volcanic origin.

The number of plant species in Iceland is limited (between 400 and 500). Among these some fairly rare species can be found however, sometimes in large numbers. A number of orchids, such as Dactylorhiza maculata (zie photograph on the left), but for example fern species like Botrychium lunaria are easily found (see photograph below on the right). Below in the middle Rhodiola rosea is shown, at the time flowering on a cold high plane on the peninsula of Hesteyri in the North-West region of Iceland. Hesteyri is usually travelled to by boat from Isafjordur, a ride taking up to one hour.

Large parts of Iceland are covered with Lichens. These symbiotic lifeforms often have unbelievable colours. Lichens are a combined lifeform consisting of a species of algae and a fungus. The combination gives lichens the advantage of being resistent to very incelement weather conditions as they are found during a large part of the year. Large rocks, scattered in the landscape are usually covered with lichens. An example of the incredible variety of occurring species is shown on the photograph shown on the left.

At the coast in the North is the village Húsavik. Here whalewatching is an option in Skalfandi bay. The encountered species mainly seen here is the finwhale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). At times different species may be seen however. On occasion even the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is seen near the coastline of Iceland, as are some species of dolphins.

Everywhere in Iceland waterfalls can be found. In general these are easily accessible. Some of these are real tourist attractions. Well known waterfalls are for example the Dettifoss (photographt on the right), Godafoss en Dynjandifoss ('foss'= waterfall).

Travelling Iceland is often done easiest by means of flying. From the airport of Akureyri to the small town of Isafjordur in the North-West means an approximate flighttime of one hour. When the weather is favourable glaciers can be observed such as the Drangajökull (see photographs on the right) as well as many of the beautiful fjords.

Due to the harsh climate conditions the population of Iceland always had to explore every possible foodsource available. A means of finding the tracks through the mountains under foggy conditions was by walking from one stone-heap to the next (see photographs on upper left). One of the traditional dishes is Hákarl. This sharkmeat, dried for months in order to make it digestable, originates from the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus). This large species (total length 3 to 8 metres) live at a depth of 200 to 600 metres. This species eats a variety of fish as well as marine mammals and occasionally even birds. Near Isafjördur a large factory for drying sharkmeat is situated at some distance from the town. Along the coastline from Isafjordur to the factory a number of birdspecies can be seen, especially Eiderducks (Somateria mollissima).

In the West of Iceland de cliffs of Látrabjarg are situated. This is a very large cliff-system and one of the richest in bird-species in the world. Vast numbers of puffins (Fratercula arctica, picture on the left ) are found here to reproduce each year (see photograph on the right). Also species like Guillemots (Uria aalge) and Razor-billed Auks are found, next to many other birdspecies, all of them in huge numbers. The adjacent sea provides the large amounts of fish needed to feed and raise the young birds. Puffins always have been an important foodsource and to some extend still are frequently eaten by the Islandic people. During the breeding season a small number of them is caught for consumption. Catching them however is strictly allowed to those who have a special permit to do so.

A good way to reach some distant area's is by ferry. On the West coast of Iceland the towns of Brjánslækur to Stykkishólmur. During the three hour trip a number of small island are visited to allow people to board or leave the ship. During this comfortable journey some islands completely crowded with puffins (Fratercula arctica) as well as many other bird species can be seen.

From the small village of Arnarstapi some very nice hiking trails along the coastline may be taken. Especially worth visiting is the beach near Dritvik, where the typical black pebbles and rocks making up the beach are particularly impressive. On the cliffs and huge rocks many different birds may be spotted like an array of seagull species, puffins (Fratercula arctica), cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo and Phalacrocorax aristotelis), and Guillemots (Uria aalge). Some large colonies of arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) are found right behind the rocky coastline. The adult birds defend their nests and chickens quite fiercely (photographs on the right) by skydiving to any approaching intruder to their territory. Near the shoreline some Horsehead seals (Halichoerus grypus) occasionally may be seen as well.

Reykjavik (=smoking chimney) is a fairly large city where about half of the Icelandic people live. A fair number of excursions can be made to a variety of destinations. For those who have litlle time a trip to a colony of puffins is a possibility as well as longer trips by airplane to for example the Westman islands some distance from the south coast. Other options are taking a trip to see whales and dolphins near the South-West coast (see photograph on the right; white nosed dolphins) (Lagenorhynchus albirostris).