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Iceland { 124 images } Created 22 Aug 2011

Photos from Island(Iceland) taken in August-September 2007 and in June-July 2010.
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  • As we arrived in Reykjavik in August the weather was rather unpredictable. The capital of Iceland, is a pleasant city, but most of the people travel to Iceland to see the unique natural sightseeings. So we left Reykjavik driving toward Hveragerði.
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  • The Gullfoss Waterfall is certainly one of the top 5 sightseeing places in Island.
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  • Rob standing on the edge of the Gullfoss waterfall.
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  • Island, the land of fire and ice, is also known for its geysers and hot springs. "Geysir", the original and most famous geyser in the world; <br />
"Strokkur", which erupts every 5-10 minutes; and the hotspring pool Blesi, are all closely located at the geothermal area of Haukadalur.
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  • We were leaving Þjórsádalur and driving to Stöng, a historically and archeologically significant place in Island. In 1939 the remainings of a viking-era longhouse, a blacksmith, and a cowshed were found and excavated at Stöng. Originally only the stone foundations remained, preserved by the ashes of the Hekla volcano eruption in 1104.
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  • The Viking settlement at Stöng was reconstructed in 1974 near the original excavated farm ruins.
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  • Almost every centimeter of icelandic soil is dominated by volcanic ash. The most devastating volcano eruption took place in 1783, causing a terrible famine which lasted for many years and killed nearly a quarter of the population. <br />
According to "Wikipedia" - The system erupted over an 8 month period during 1783-1784 from the Laki fissure and the adjoining Grímsvötn volcano, pouring out an estimated 14 km3 (3.4 cu mi) of basalt lava and clouds of poisonous hydrofluoric acid/sulfur-dioxide compounds that killed over 50% of Iceland's livestock population, leading to famine which killed approximately 25% of the population.<br />
The Laki eruption and its aftermath has been estimated to have killed over six million people globally, making it the deadliest volcanic eruption in historical times. The drop in temperatures, due to the sulfuric dioxide gases spewed into the northern hemisphere, caused crop failures in Europe, droughts in India, and Japan's worst famine.
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  • On a sunny morning we drove to the foot of Mount Hekla, one of Island's most active volcanoes. <br />
As the weather was pretty good we decided to walk all the way up to the top.
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  • Halfway to the summit the views from Hekla were already amazing, so i set up my tripod every five minutes, which made me the slowest group member. On the lower right corner you can see a huge dead lava field.
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  • Walking up the 1491 meter-high volcano takes about 4 hours, and the weather can change very quickly while you ascend the mountain. We started our hike in a sunny morning and achieved the last quarter of the distance under snowy weather.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - The Flatey Book Annal wrote of the 1341 eruption that people saw large and small birds flying in the mountain's fire which were taken to be souls. In the 16th century Caspar Peucer wrote that the Gates of Hell could be found in "the bottomless abyss of Hekla Fell". The belief that Hekla was the gate to Hell persisted until the 1800s. There is still a legend that witches gather on Hekla for Easter.
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  • When you arrive at the top you will enjoy breathtaking views of the higlands below the summit of Hekla.
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  • On the top you can distinguish smoke rising up from the ground. There is also a box whith a guestbook placed in it which you can fill out with your name.
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  • This photo has been taken in Djúpivogur, a small town in eastern Island. There are some very good reasons for choosing Island as a travel destination. Island is a relatively small country, circled in its entirety by an easily accessible main Route, called "Route 1". Despite the "small" size of the country, and the fact that nearly the entire surface is covered with volcanic ash, you should expect a boring country, but natural wonders are rich in variety and beauty.
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  • According to "Wikipedia", Dettifoss - is reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe.<br />
It is situated on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, which flows from the Vatnajökull glacier and collects water from a large area in Northeast Iceland. The falls are 100 m wide and have a drop of 45 m down to the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. <br />
It is the largest waterfall in Europe in terms of volume discharge, having an average water flow of 193 m3/s.
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  • After visiting the most powerful waterfall of Europe in the morning, we decided to drive further to the north. We stopped as Mike woke up behind the steering wheel: Surprise!, we arrived in Husavik where we were supposed to buy some nice clothes in one of the biggest 66°NORTH stores in Island. We were welcomed by some friendly ducks, but unfortunately the store was close. So we pimped up Mike with 4 cans of "NALU" and he drove us further to the north.
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  • Because of the high coffein level in Mike's blood, this road between Húsavík and Reykjahlið <br />
became our personal "highway to hell". We arrived at a camping site 2 hours later and after we installed our tents near a lake occupied by funny ducks (again), we prepared spaghettis (again) for dinner. The next morning Mike told us that a giant bird of prey woke him up while it was tearing a duck to pieces just near the zip entry door of his tent.
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  • The area in Hverir, also known as Hverarönd, is another well-known natural sightseeing spot in Island. At the foothill of Námafjall, located just near the Námaskarð pass, the colorful geothermal area is easily accessible from Route 1.
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  • One of many mudpots in Island. Some skin care products, like facial mud masks are basically taken from geothermal sources. But when the mud bubbles are scorching hot, you shouldn't put the mud directly on your face.
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  • Take care when you walk over the geothermal fields because of the hot and unstable ground. The path in Hverir is secured by a rope. If you see an idiot walking outside the secured area, take your camera and enjoy the show.
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  • The Krafla volcanic area includes the geothermic activity zone of Námafjall and the Stóra-Víti crater with a drilling rig just next to it. This photo has been taken near the Near Stóra-Víti crater.
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  • Dry soil near the geothermal steam pipeline. <br />
The first homemade "pipeline" was installed by a farmer in 1907 which conducted steam into his house. Before that, in 1904, the first electricity producing hydropower plant was built near Reykjavic.
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  • On a sunny day with optimal light conditions you can see different colors for each hill.
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  • Tourists walking along the small turquoise crater which is located just next to the Stóra-Víti crater.
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  • ...the same tourists walking along the Stóra-Víti crater's rim. The steam emanate from the Kröflustöð geothermal power station.
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  • Stóra-Víti which means "big hell" is an explosion crater, arised in 1724 due to an explosive eruption. Many other volcanic eruptions and earthquakes took place in this part of Island until 1729.
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  • View on a hummocky ground in the Krafla Caldera. Hummocks are caused by debris avalanches.
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  • Krafla is also known for its awesome lava field and the colorful volcanic landscape, especially at the Leirhnjúkur area. The Krafla caldera is easily reachable by car and it's worth to stay there for a couple of hours.
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  • Steam around Krafla. The volcanic system of Krafla includes also a dangerous and still active volcano called Leirhnjúkur which was formed in 1727.
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  • Leirhnjúkur was the focus of eruptive activities in the last Krafla eruption series. As the central volcano of the caldera, it erupted many times between 1727 and 1729, menacing the township of Reykjahlíð in 1729 with a menacingly lava stream. Other eruption series occured in 1975 and 1984.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - Krafla is a caldera of about 10 km in diameter with a 90 km long fissure zone, in the north of Iceland in the Mývatn region. Its highest peak reaches up to 818 m and it is 2 km in depth. There have been 29 reported eruptions in recorded history.
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  • At present time the Krafla volcanic site is still considered as active. The ground underneath your feet is everything else than solid. If you leave the marked paths, you will do it on your own risks.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - Dimmuborgir is a large area of unusually shaped lava fields east of Mývatn in Iceland. The Dimmuborgir area is composed of various volcanic caves and rock formations, reminiscent of an ancient collapsed citadel (hence the name). The dramatic structures are one of Iceland's most popular natural tourist attractions.
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  • Lake Mývatn was formed 2300 years ago by a basaltic lava eruption which flows out of a large fissure. In earlier times, approximately 10000 years ago, it was permanently covered by an icecap. Today the area is famous for the rich fauna, expecially birdlife. Another spot is the Laxá river, which is very popular (and expensive) for salmon fishing. Brown trouts are also abundantly found in the clear river.
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  • Dalvík is a small sleepy village with approximately 1800 residents, located in a very beautiful area, east of Eyjafjörður and close to the valley of Svarfaðardalur with a fantastic view on the hills. <br />
We arrived in Dalvík in the evening. As we entered in a hotel for asking for a cheap room, the owner suggested us a wooden house for a small extra charge. <br />
Built near the riverbank and with a nice veranda including a huge whirlpool, we agreed immediately. Our new friend was very polite and helping! He gave us also the key for the hotel, because he had to leave the village for a couple of hours, and for the case, if we would like to play billard in the mainroom. Later at night, we all played billard and drunk some beers together with the owner.
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  • Icelandic horses were brought by the Vikings from Norway to Island nearly 1000 years ago. The icelandic horse is probably the most pure and oldest breed of horse in the world; facing day by day the extreme weather conditions of Island it became very robust. <br />
According to "Wikipedia" - Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return.
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  • Mountain scenerys in the north of Island between Dalvík and Ólafsfjörður. This area of the country is particularly famous for skiing.
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  • An Icelandic horse photographed along Route 82, between Ólafsfjörður and Hofsós.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - Most Icelanders are descendants of Norse (particularly from Western Norway) and Gaelic settlers. Icelandic, a North Germanic language, is closely related to Faroese and some West Norwegian dialects. The country's cultural heritage includes traditional Icelandic cuisine, poetry, and the medieval Icelanders' sagas. Currently, Iceland has the smallest population among NATO members and is the only one with no standing army. According to Freedom of the Press, Iceland has one of the freest presses in the world. This photo was taken somewhere between Route 82 and Route 76.
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  • Shortly before arriving in Hofsós, driving on Route 76, we were welcomed by menacing clouds. Hofsós is one of the oldest fishing villages in the north of Island.
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  • On a cold windy day, we stopped near Hofsós for walking shortly along the shore. Most of the beaches located near volcanoes have black sand.
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  • One of many marine animals who were taking a sunbath on the beach.
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  • Island is one of the countries in which you will see a lot of rainbows due to the constantly and rapidly changing weather from sunshine to rainfalls. <br />
In Reykjavic a restaurant waiter told us that there is a proverb in Island saying "If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes". This rainbow was spotted near Glaumbær.
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  • The icelandic turfhouses of Glaumbær are situated in Skagafjörður, in northern Island.
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  • ...and the Glaumbær church located on the same area.
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  • Driving in direction of Blönduós, somewhere between Route 75 and Route 1, chasing the clouds..
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  • The landscapes were amazing while we were driving from Blönduós to Brekka.
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  • A white icelandic horse along the Ring Road in direction of the Brekka farm, northern Island.
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  • An icelandic mare with its foal, along the ring road, heading Brekka.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - The ancestors of the Icelandic horse were probably taken to Iceland by Viking Age Scandinavians between 860 and 935 AD. The Norse settlers were followed by immigrants from Norse colonies in Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Western Isles of Scotland. These later settlers arrived with the ancestors of what would elsewhere become Shetland, Highland, and Connemara ponies, which were crossed with the previously imported animals. There may also have been a connection with the Yakut pony, and the breed has physical similarities to the Nordlandshest of Norway. Other breeds with similar characteristics include the Faroe pony of the Faeroe Islands and the Norwegian Fjord horse. About 900 years ago, attempts were made to introduce eastern blood into the Icelandic, resulting in a degeneration of the stock. In 982 AD the Icelandic Althing (parliament) passed laws prohibiting the importation of horses into Iceland, thus ending crossbreeding. The breed has now been bred pure in Iceland for more than 1,000 years.<br />
This horses were also standing somewhere along the ring road, heading Brekka.
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  • Icelandic horses are also unique for the additional gaits. A horse gait is the kind of movement which a horse can execute. The different type of gaits are: walk, trot, canter and gallop. The best icelandic horses are able to perform two more gaits, the tölt and the flying pace.
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  • A beautiful white horse on the same location, still along Route 1, at the same time but photographed under better light conditions.
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  • ...and a black one. In ancient times white horses were sometimes sacrified by the Norse people.
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  • Two shy icelandic horses, taken on the Ring Road a few minutes before rain started.
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  • Laughing horse...
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  • An icelandic sheep along Route 711, between Hvammstangi and Hindisvík. <br />
The icelandic sheep is a direct descendant of the Viking sheep, introduced in Island nearly 1200 years ago.
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  • A young icelandic foal playing with its mother's tail, somewhere on Route 711 in north-west Island, between Hvammstangi and Hindisvík.
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  • Three young half-wild "Hindisvík" horses, playing along Route 711 near the bay of Hindisvík.
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  • The small bay of Hindisvík is located on the uppermost northern point of Vatnsnes peninsula.
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  • Hindisvík is a touristically interesting region for seal watching, as it is known to be one of the best spots in Iceland.
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  • As the seals are very shy, you should use a large tele lens if you want to take pictures of them.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - One theory suggests the first people to have visited Iceland were members of a Hiberno-Scottish mission or hermits, also known as Papar, who came in the 8th century, though no archaeological discoveries support this hypothesis. The monks are supposed to have left with the arrival of Norsemen, who systematically settled in the period circa AD 870-930. <br />
Recently archeologists have found the ruins of a cabin in Hafnir on the Reykjanes peninsula (close to Keflavík Airport). Carbon dating reveals that the cabin was abandoned between 770 to 880 AD, suggesting that someone had come to Iceland well before 874 AD.
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  • A group of sheep blocking the road as we were trying to drive back from Hindisvík to Hvammstangi.
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  • Hraunfossar is is the name for a group of waterfall cascades situated between Húsafell and Reykholt in western Island.
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  • Skógafoss is one of the most visited waterfall in addition to Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss. You can see the waterfall easily from the Ring Road.
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  • Rob founds a Northern Fulmar near the slopes of Skógafoss. First we tought that the sea bird was injured because we could catch it very easily. Then we realized that it was healthy.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - The Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 25 metres (82 feet) and a drop of 60 m (200 ft). Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days. According to legend, the first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. A local boy found the chest years later, but was only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again.
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  • We left Skógafoss and drove heading west, somewhere between Skógar und Núpsstaður.
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  • Núpsstaður is a small farm with old turfhouses dating from the early 19th century. The farm was run by two brothers until one of them died in 2004.
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  • View on the Skeiðarárjökull Glacier fringe which runs down from Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Island.
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  • Skeiðarárjökull is easily visible when you are driving on the Ring Route. The glacier is situated in the Skaftafell National Park, which became a part of Vatnajökull National Park in 2008.
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  • The Svinafellsjökull Glacier, a part of the Vatnajökull National Park, is famous for glacier walks and ice climbing. It's not the most impressive natural spot, but it offers probably one of the best accessible opportunity to experience the glacier, including excellent views.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland was founded on June 7, 2008. It is the largest national park in Europe, covering around 12,000 km² (12% of the surface of Iceland), including all of Vatnajökull glacier, and the former Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárgljúfur National Park and surrounding area.
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  • Situated in the Vatnajökull National Park, between Höfn and Skaftafell, Jökulsárlón is known to be the largest glacier lake in Island. <br />
The ice is constantly calved off by the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, the second largest glacier tongue of mighty Vatnajökull.
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  • In a cold evening, shortly before sunset we made some pictures of Jökulsárlón. The glacier area has often been used as a movie location, amongst others "A View to a Kill", "Tomb Raider" or "Batman Begins".
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - Jökulsárlón lake or lagoon, the Icelandic “glacier lake” is now reported to have doubled in size in the recent 15-year period. The huge blocks of ice that calve from the edge of Vatnajökull are about 30 metres (98 ft) high which fills the lagoon stocked with icebergs. Some icebergs appear naturally sculpted on account volcanic ashes from ancient eruptions that partly cover them. <br />
With the rate at which Vatnajökull is retreating and the lagoon is getting formed, in the near future, it is anticipated that there is likely to be a deep fjord where Vatnajökull is now. This retreat is also posing a threat to the National Highway Route 1 of Iceland. Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland is 250 kilometres (160 mi) from the lake and the road between the capital and the lagoon winds through a dozen other glaciers, which are also under retreat.
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  • On this day we started a short 1-2hour hike which leads to the main attraction of the trail, the unusual black fall of Svartifoss.
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  • On our way to Svartifoss we saw this chicken-like bird. The "Icelandic Rock Ptarmigan" flies very clumsily.
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  • At the end of the trail you will reach Svartifoss, not the largest waterfall in Island, but one of the most beautiful because of the spectacular basalt column formations which surrounds the waterfall.
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  • Two icelandic sheep along the starting stretch of Route F 206. F-roads are the most difficult roads in Island and usually they get very unsuitable for non-4x4 cars in the end of the summer. The rough road F206 leads to the well-known Laki, a volcanic fissure of about 25km.
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  • The changing weather brings up some nice landscape sceneries as we are driving to Laufskálavarða.
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  • As we were driving from Akranes to Snæfellsness we saw a fenced area which could be crossed over a ladder. The freedom to roam in Island is an unwritten right based on an ancient practice, still enjoyed nowadays, with some limitations. <br />
That means that you are allowed to walk freely on public or private land, whenever and wherever you want.
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  • On our last day on the Ring Road, we were driving ahead to the peninsula of Snæfellsness before turning back to Reykjavic.
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  • The lonely church of Kolbeinsstaðir is situated at the base of Snæfellsness peninsula and you can see it from Route 54.
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  • During the Eyjafjalla eruptions, starting in april 2010, we decided to visit Iceland a second time. We started our journey on the famous Route 1, which leads us first to the Westfjords.
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  • While we were driving to the Westfjords, we decided to stop near Garðar BA64. Garðar BA64 was built in Norway 1912. Bad weather drove the ship ashore at Patreksfjörður in 1981.
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  • One of many Kittiwakes nesting at the Látrabjarg bird cliffs. The Kittiwake is the only type of cliff-nesting seagull.
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  • The Látrabjarg birdcliffs, Europe's largest, and one of the world's greatest bird cliff, consist of up to 440m high rocks. The entire cliff is about 14km long.
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  • The cliff is also famous to be probably the best place in the world to photograph puffins at a very close range.
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  • Two Northern Fulmars at the Látrabjarg birdcliffs. Fulmar chicks are known for their caracteristic defence mechanism, which consists to spit a gastric orange oil against predators.
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  • According to "Wikipedia" - The Razorbill (Alca torda) is a colonial seabird that will only come to land in order to breed. It is the largest living member of the Auk family. This agile bird will choose only one partner for life and females will lay one egg per year. Razorbills will nest along coastal cliffs in enclosed or slightly exposed crevices. Both parents will spend equal amount of time incubating. Once the chick has hatched, the parents will take turns foraging for their young and will sometimes fly long distances before finding prey.
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  • Another adult Kittiwake taking care of a chick at the Látrabjarg birdcliffs.
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  • The Kittiwake is also called black-legged Kittiwake in North America, to differentiate it from the european Kittiwake, the red-legged Kittiwake.
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  • Tens of thousands of puffins are hunted every year for their meat. The birds are easilly catched with a net. The used hunting technique is also known as "sky fishing".
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  • In August millions of young puffins leave their colonies to fly over the Atlantic. They use the moon to navigate, but many puffins wrongly identify the streetlights with the moon. When they crash on the streets, children in Iceland collect them, and at the end of the summer, the young puffins are released.
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  • While thousands of puffins are hunted every year, many young puffins are rescued by the children.
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  • The puffin is also called lundey (lundi), which is the old Norse name for the atlantic puffin. You will find world's most largest single puffin colony in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, with Heimaey, beeing the largest island in the group.
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  • After leaving the Látrabjarg birdcliffs we saw a Common Redshank sitting on the top of a pole.
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  • Driving between Varmahlíð und Akureyri along the valley of Öxnadalur.
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  • The Bjarnarflag geothermal plant started delivering power in 1969, in the same year that it was built.
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