Iceland

Auðnir Farm at Drangafjall Ridge

Nestled in the heart of the North Icelandic country-side at the base of Drangafjall Ridge sits the picturesque and peaceful Auðnir (Audnir) farm. The conical peak of the ridge, called Hraundrangi (The Rockfall Spire), towers 80 metres (260 ft) above the ridge.

Seydisfjordur

If you visit only one location in the Eastfjords of Iceland, it should be the picturesque village of Seydisfjordur which surrounds Fjarðará Lagoon. Nestled between the snowcapped mountains and cascading waterfalls from Mt. Bjólfur (1085m) and Strandartindur (1010m), this tranquil little village offers a wonderful atmosphere for explorers to enjoy. While here you should check out Kaffi Lára El Grillo Bar which is located on Regnboga Vegur (Rainbow Road).

Skarðsvík - Sand Patterns

Secluded in the northwestern tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland is Skarðsvík beach, with its beautiful turquoise waters and golden brown sand. The waters at Skarðsvík can be very dangerous with a strong surf and undertow, and I was mesmerized by the patterns left in the sand as the surf pulled out.

Reynisfjara Basalt Sea Stacks

Vík í Mýrdal's enormous Basalt Sea Stacks set against the the stunning Reynisfjara Black Volcanic Sand Beach. The columnar basalt is formed when a lava flow cools suddenly and contraction forces build up. Cracks then form horizontally and the extensive fracture network that develops results in the hexagonal formation of columns which are always upright, standing perpendicular to the cooling surface.

Námafjall Pass

One of the most scenic drives in the world, the Ring Road (Route 1) around Iceland. Pictured here is Route 1 through Námafjall Pass near the Mývatn Area in Northern Iceland. This area is world famous for it's Geothermal activity.

Lómagnúpur Mountain

Lómagnúpur is a stunning Icelandic mountain with almost vertical cliffs that reach a height of 671m, the highest in all of Iceland. Lómagnúpur became famous in the Njáll saga, in which Flosi has a nightmare where he had killed Njáll with his men and then dreamt of a giant coming out of the mountain and announcing the death of his people.

Reynisdrangar (Viewed from Vik)

The Reynisdrangar Basalt Sea Stacks viewed from the shoreline of the picturesque village of Vik. Photographed just before Blue Hour, I just loved the green grass foreground set against a Magenta setting sun, the cool blue ocean waters, and the silhouette of Reynisdrangar in the background. Such a peaceful moment in time.

Svínafellsjökull Glacier

Sandwiched between the peaks of Hrútfjallstindar and Hvannadalshnúkur mountains falls the easily accessible Svínafellsjökull Glacier. At 8km long and almost 1km wide this glacier looks very impressive; however, this outake glacier is tiny in comparison to the immense Vatnajökull Glacier from which it originates (with Öræfajökull in between them).

Skógafoss Rainbow

Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s biggest and most beautiful waterfalls with a width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 meters (197 feet). Due to the amount of spray the cascade produces, you can often see a rainbow as the sun emerges from behind the clouds. You can walk right up to this waterfall (as I did), but be prepared to get drenched. I was very fortunate to be able to capture this double rainbow image, as keeping the lens free from the mist was a challenge.

Myrdalsjokull Glacier

Reynisfjara Beach (South Iceland near Vik) provides a plethora of scenic coastal landscape views. However, if you turn around 180º to view due North, you are presented with this amazing view of Mýrdalsjökull Glacier set behind a field of golden yellow and the extensive Dyrhólaós mudflats.

Fossalar Waterfall

When you are driving the roads in Iceland, you can't avoid the feeling that you are interacting with a live landscape painting. It doesn't matter whether you are on the Ring Road or a road in the countryside. Anywhere you look the landscape seems to call out for attention. Another such place is this unnamed small waterfall on the Fossálar River in the south coast of Iceland just outside of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Skardsviti Lighthouse

Situated on the west side of the Vatnsnes Peninsula (North Iceland) overlooking the small fjord, Miðfjörður, stands the Skardsviti Lighthouse. Built in 1950, the Lighthouse still serves to protect boaters from crashing into the rocky coasts on foggy days.

Kirkjufell - Church Mountain

Wanted to start off 2020 with an image of one of my favorite places on the planet, Kirkjufell (also known as Church Mountain). Peaking at 463 metres (1519 feet) Kirkjufell is an impressive landmark on its own, but add a waterfall to the foreground and you get the the most photographed mountain in Iceland. This image was taken during an afternoon scouting visit in preparation for my sunset shot that evening. Even on an overcast mid-afterrnoon day, this place is just stunning.