Iceland Day 10

Today was hard physically but all the effort was worth it.  We startd out at a great waterfall, Halifoss, which is two waterfalls in one.  Then, we drove back on the road to perdition to Landmannalugar Reserve, which is one of Iceland's most popular camping and hiking locales.

Of course, it was alternating between raining and a very heavy mist, all with a strong wind, so hiking and photography were difficult, to say the least.  Still, we trudged on and hiked through some of the most starkly beautiful places on earth!

Then back to the hotel, a final dinner, and then to bed.  Tomorrow will be a day of departure, so I'm not sure how much photography we will get in. Not that that is a problem as we are all photo'd out!

Iceland Day 9

We are at the Highlands Hotel here in Iceland. It is a 3 star joint way out in the middle of nowhere.  I guess they wanted to give us a good night's sleep after yesterday's drive from hell.

Taking 4 hours to drive almost 120 kilometers is not what you would call 'fun.'  And the rocky, rutted, washboard track they call a road is actually their Route 208.  You want paved roads? Sorry, they are back in Reykjavik.  Although we were desperately tired no one could sleep for all the violent gyrations.

Oh, and to top it off, it was raining and blowing a gale!

Not many photos, just bad memories.

Iceland Day 8

Today is a travel day, which is a good thing as it is raining and blowing a gale.

This morning was an early one, 2:30 a.m., after a late sunset shoot which ended at 11:00 p.m.  Needless to say, this morning's coffee is not doing a thing for me.

So, without further ado, here's the images.

Iceland Day 7

Although I thought it would be a rain day, I guess that will be tomorrow. Today was all that one could wish for. In fact, unless the image was out of focus or pointing at the wrong thing, you could not take a bad one!  These are the days that make this occupation a true joy.

We went to the largest skua sanctuary in the world. The skua is a large predatory sea bird that likes to eat puffins. Now Iceland has over 5 million puffins, so the skua won't run out any time soon, but the food has been dwindling for the puffins and many of this year's chick are dead. Yes, the smell is horrendous, but if the puffin population suffers, so does the skua. Not many skua photos, they are very well hidden as chick and the adults are out eating. A few juveniles were about but they weren't very camera happy so they were always flying away.

The puffins on the other hand…..

On our way bad the sun was shining and even shots out the van window could not be beaten!

Tonight we venture back to the glacial lagoon and beach for last shots before we head out in the morning for our next locale. Which I am sure I cannot spell or pronounce, either.

Iceland Day 6

Ice and more ice, with a waterfall thrown in. That is the sum of today.  The weather has been very overcast with peeks of some sun, but not much.

No matter what, the scenery still is stunning and the days are long and filled with photography!