Category Archives: Landscape

Landscape

Most active volcano

Iceland’s most active volcano, Hekla, is said to be ready to erupt any time. The pressure inside this famous South Iceland volcano is greater than before the last two eruptions. So we should be on our toes.

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Mount Hekla

Since 1970, when Hekla last erupted, the interval between eruptions has been more less or less ten years. According to scientists Hekla has built up a great deal of magma in recent years. Although the last few eruptions in Hekla have not been big and not involved serious danger one never knows what exactly to expect. The lead up to an eruption in Hekla can be very short and that is a concern.

Hekla is a popular attraction and groups often hike in the mountain. There is some worry  that this could be dangerous in view of the short notice of eruption and people are warned not to be on the mountain. Airplanes flying over could also be in danger if scientist are not taken seriously.

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Birds, Landscape

Gullfoss

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The waterfall Gullfoss is one of Iceland’s most visited tourist attractions, along with Geysir. Both are on the Golden Circle, the route that most tourists in Iceland travel. It runs from Reykjavík, the capital, to Thingvellir, the site of the old Icelandic parliament, to Geysir and then Gullfoss.

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Gullfoss is a massive waterfall and special for its two steps. It is in the river Hvítá and is originated in Langjökull Glacier. Gullfoss is very spectacular both in summer and winter.

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One of the tourists last weekend, my wife Kristin.
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Landscape

Geysir and Strokkur

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Strokkur geyser, Haukadalur, South Iceland.

The area is called Geysir although today Strokkur geyser is the one that people come to see. Geysir is a geyser, the ONE that gives its name to the phenomena. Only once in a while does the old Geysir erupt whereas Strokkur erupts every 5-10 minutes. The term geyser is described: “A geyser…  is a spring characterized by intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by steam.”

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Last weekend was beautiful, the countryside was covered with snow and the sun was shining brightly, as can be seen in the photos.

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 The Geysir area is one of the most popular tourist attractions in South Iceland and an increasing number of tourists visit it daily. It is situated inland in the South of Iceland about one and a half hours drive from Reykjavík, the capital. From Selfoss it is about one hours drive. A trip to Geysir usually also involves a visit to Gullfoss which is only about 10 minutes drive away.  

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Landscape

Charming village on the coast

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Eyrarbakki is a small town on the south coast. It was formerly the main harbour town  and trading place on the south coast.

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It is known for its quint old houses  that were built close to one another along the coast. Now it has become a popular place to live in and more and more houses are being renovated.

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The House (Húsið) is a museum of olden times. It is in one of Iceland’s oldest buildings from 1765. It was built by  Danish merchants who overwintered in Iceland.

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The village Eyrarbakki, along with its beautiful coastline,  is a popular tourist attraction.

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Landscape

Clear skies, snow and frost

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Ölfusá River in Selfoss, South Iceland

On Monday night we had a blizzard with blocked roads and the like. The last two days, however, have been exceptionally beautiful. Clear skies and calm winds, snow and ice everywhere. Winter days do not get much better than this if we leave out how difficult it is to get around, the dangerously slippery  conditions and the frost that has been down to minus 10°.

Ölfusá River and Mount Ingólfsfjall
Mount Ingólfsfjall
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Animals, Landscape

Full of life again

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Killer Whales (Orca) under the Kolgrafafjörður bridge

After a collapse in the biota, Kolgrafafjörður is again teeming with life. The silver darlings have returned to the fjord. Kolgrafafjörður is a shallow fjord on the northern side of Snæfellsnes. It is known for being a good food source for birds and sea mammals. In 2004 a road was constructed and a bridge built on the outer side of the fjord resulting in less renewal of seawater inside the fjord.

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Kolgrafafjörður

Once in a while huge amounts of herring used to come into the fjord during the winter months and the bridge did not change that. A lot of birds and small sea mammals followed the herring. This created a sensational spectacle by the bridge when the tide went in and out as Gulls, Northern Gannets  and Great Cormorants fought to catch the herring.  Harbour Seals, Grey Seals and Killer Whales were also a common sight by the bridge.

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Kolgrafafjörður

In 2011 – 2014 huge amounts of herring gathered in the fjord inside the bridge. In the winter of 2012 – 13 the herring died probably from lack of oxigen. It is estimated that around 50,000 tons of herring died this winter. This resulted in the collapse of the biota. Now the herring is back and Kolgrafafjörður is again full of life, – an attraction for bird watchers and nature lovers.

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Garden, Landscape, Weather

Happy New Year

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Happy New Year dear readers and thanks for following our blog. Our resolution is to continue posting photos of the birdlife around us and bringing you photos and info from interesting places we visit.
Today there is a little more snow than yesterday and the storm Frank has left the country.  It is a beautiful first day of the year 🙂

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Landscape

Glymur in Hvalfjörður

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View from the trail

Glymur in Hvalfjörður is the second highest waterfall in Iceland, 198 metres high. It is about an hour’s drive from Reykjavík, the capital, a trip worth taking. The hike from the parking area takes about 2 hours, more if you go the roundtrip. The trail is marked and there are footpaths. See: Best hiking trails

The cave
The cave

On the way you pass a cave and have to go over a creek below the waterfall. The climb is sometimes a bit strenuous and can be muddy and rocky in places so you need good walking boots.

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If you go the round trip you have to wade this river above the waterfall. This is below the waterfall.

For the round trip, that takes up to 4 hours, you have to go over the River Botnsá above the waterfall. There is no bridge there.
– This is a trip worth taking in the summer time 🙂

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Glymur
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