Wildlife and birds in Iceland
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Iceland images finally reviewed and edited.
Vestrahorn at sunset - so many layers!
It has taken me a while to finally get through all of my Iceland images as I didn’t want to rush through them and there have been a few distractions since then (moving blog). It’s hard to believe that I went to Iceland back in April and that almost 3 months have passed since I returned.
I have been posting blogs about different aspects of my trip (Iceland macros, Iceland trip review, Iceland abstractions) and I have finally decided to write about the wildlife and birds that I saw and photographed. This is my passion and I couldn’t resist spending time capturing the rich diversity of wildlife that I don’t usually see in Canada.
It was very ironic that 4 people attended this Landscape Workshop and only 1 spent a lot of time shooting grand landscapes. One person is primarily a portrait/model photographer and one is an abstract/intimate landscapes photographer. Then there is me - primarily a bird and wildlife photographer. What a mix of interests and yet we all found amazing things to photograph.
Wildlife
Icelandic reindeer.
We were very fortunate with the timing of our trip because the reindeer were close to the shore and very visible as there was fresh grass for grazing. Later in the season they head up into the hills where it is less busy and the grazing is plentiful once the snow melts.
Our first encounter with the reindeer occurred from a sighting at the side of the road. We found a safe spot to pull over and got out to try and inch closer.
The reindeer were quite skittish and so I was glad to have my 100-400mm lens with a 1.4 teleconverter on hand. This gave me a focal length reach of 560mm and with some stealth moves (in my mind at least) along dry ditch I was able to get alongside of them.
I really liked this vantage point as I was looking up at them rather than being up higher and looking down on them. I was able to get relatively close without disturbing them.
Reindeer crossing a lake in front of a glacier.
We saw another group of reindeer near a small lake with glaciers in the background which seemed like a quintessentially Icelandic image to capture - so we stopped again and I was able to capture some great images as they suddenly decided to cross the lake.
This is where having the flexibility of being on a photography specific tour and also with a small group made all the difference. There was never any question about stopping and spending time with the reindeer and the whole tone of all of our stops was peaceful and not rushed which allowed for maximum creativity.
Icelandic horses frolicking in a field.
We also encountered wild horses which are always a treat to see. Icelandic horses are of a pure genetic strain because it is prohibited to import horses to the country.
Horses can be transported out of the country, but then they cannot re-enter.
The group of horses we came across were quite frisky and dashing about the field in front of us.
The wind was howling a bit that morning and this horse really had his mane tossed about. These horses are beautiful animals with very thick hair and made to withstand the often extremes of the Icelandic climate.
I would have liked to capture the horse images during golden hour as I think they would look stunning in that light, but our timing for seeing them never seemed to line up with the edges of the day, so we made the most of the opportunity that presented itself.
Connection
I must admit that I am not much of a horse person - somehow I’ve not spent a lot of time with them or had opportunities to ride. However, when I’ve come across horses running about in fields I have to admire their majestic stature and lines.
Just before we left the location we were photographing there were several horses that started interacting in a very sweet way. They would rush up to each other and start to rub noses. I really liked the way they were interacting with each other and I kept thinking of connection.
Seals basking on the ice floes.
Seals rounded out our wildlife sightings and one afternoon while spending time at a glacier lagoon we happened across a large number of them lounging about on the ice floes.
The last time I was in Iceland we saw seals bobbing about in the lagoon - continually diving for fish.
Grey and harbour seals are typical for Iceland, but I’m not very up on seal identification, so If anyone can help me out here - I would appreciate it.
I’m not sure if we caught these seals after a successful feeding session, or if our timing aligned with their afternoon siesta, but there wasn’t much activity happening with them.
The day was nice and warm, so I can imagine how refreshing it felt with the cool ice on one side and the hot sun on the other.
Birds
Male Harlequin Duck swimming in the Glacier Lagoon.
There was a lot more bird activity compared with my December visit and we were at the start of nesting season for fulmars. Unfortunately we were a bit early for the puffins - please take my word for it and do not ever come on a trip with me to see puffins or northern lights as you will be sorely disappointed. I lived in Scotland near puffin colonies for four years and I never saw a single one.
However we were graced with a sighting of Harlequin Ducks on two successive days at the Glacier Lagoon and the second day they swam into the lagoon for an epic photography shoot. I have seen Harlequin Ducks in Calgary, but from a great distance and with very poor conditions, so this was a treat.
Male and female Harlequin Ducks swimming in front of glacial ice.
Fulmar flying across the front of a large waterfall.
The fulmars were particularly interesting to watch as there was such chaos and noise when we got near any of their colonies.
I really enjoyed just observing their interactions and courting behaviours. I was having difficulty finding inspiration at one waterfall (it’s very crowded with people) until I happened to spot a Fulmar flying across in front of the cascade of water.
There were Fulmar nesting sites on the cliffs on either side of the waterfall and they continued to fly back and forth.
From that moment I was hooked and I continued to track the birds and try to capture them in the perfect position in front of the raging torrents of water.
Oyster Catcher in the morning sunlight.
In addition we saw Oyster Catchers in the mornings and at several locations I managed to capture them in lovely golden light.
We often saw them more inland than I would have expected - foraging in fields as opposed to along the shoreline.
They are such odd looking birds with their bright coloured legs, beak and eyes. They waddle about on the ground, but when they take flight it is beautiful to see their black and white plumage as their wings extend.
Black tailed Godwit foraging in the inland lake near the golf course.
One of our accommodations was an old converted milk factory (a very interesting building with all sorts of modern decor). It was close to the golf course and an inland lake surrounded by mountains.
I thought that I’d get up early and try some morning photography.
This turned out to be a great strategy as I came across all sorts of shorebirds.
These Black tailed Godwits were very striking in the early morning light and lifers for me.
I spent a good couple of hours with the birds and I have to say that it filled my cup for the day.
Starting out like that sets the tone for a very relaxed and mindful day for me.
I can’t seem to get away from photographing birds
I had a lovely last day in Iceland as my flight didn’t leave until late afternoon, so I spent time wandering around the harbour at our last accommodation near the airport. I found all sorts of shorebirds and Eider Ducks to photograph, however one of my favourite images from the morning was a reflection of the lighthouse in a rock pool created when the tide receded.
Do you ever find that you gravitate back to your comfort zone or your passion - either consciously or unconsciously? I think that the beauty and freedom I see in birds - especially birds in flight is what continues to draw me to photograph them.
Early morning lighthouse reflection in the rock pool.
I hope you’ll come back soon, share a cuppa, relax and enjoy more of my musings.
