IcelandicPhoto

Icelandic nature and landscape, small towns and farms..... I´m icelandic and I live in Reykjavik..... Instagram:icelandic_photo

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Fjadrargljufur is a 2 km (1.24 mi) long canyon in the South-East Region of Iceland. The canyon is about 100 meters deep and through it runs a small fresh water stream. It is known to be one of the most picturesque places in Iceland

The fairytale-like Fjaðrárgljúfur has steep tuff walls on both sides which are believed to be about 2 million years old. The river Fjaðrá that runs like a snake in between the palagonite walls originates in the Geirlandshraun lava field and falls from a cliff into the Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon creating quite the scene.

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In Southeast Iceland, you'll find a glacier lagoon filled with icebergs called Lökulsárlón (Glacier Lagoon). This ice lagoon has become one of Iceland's most popular attractions due to its stunning beauty

The lagoon is formed naturally from melted glacial water and is perpetually growing while big blocks of ice crumble from the ever-shrinking glacier; as Jökulsárlón increases in size, the retreating glacier visibly demonstrates the effects of global warming

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Háifoss, The high waterfall,  is one of the highest and also one of the most striking waterfalls in Iceland. Placed in a magnificent but relatively narrow gorge leading into the Icelandic Highland from the valley Þjórsárdalur it is one of the major waterfall attractions in Iceland. 

 The height is impressive as it falls the 122 meters down the two million years old cliff. It is a beautiful sight from top to bottom including the geologically rich background in the cliffs. 

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In the early hours, before the tourist buses started to arrive, this lovely couple managed to have their wedding photos taken next to the beautiful Goðafoss waterfall

No one was around except them, their photographer and me looking on from the distance trying not to interrupt this special moment

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Sparkling fjords, dramatic volcanic peaks, sheer sea cliffs, sweeping golden beaches and crunchy lava flows make up the diverse and fascinating landscape of the 100km-long Snæfellsnes Peninsula. 

I have been there many times over the years, at all seasons and I always find it fascinating and beautiful 

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Arnarstapi is a small fishing village in the southern part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula and at the foot of Mount Stapafell. 

Arnarstapi is a place in Snæfellsnes that should not be missed!  And there is a 2.5 km long hiking trail leading through the lava field between Arnarstapi to Hellnar which is a great fun to walk

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Flatey island is located in Breidafjordur bay on the northwestern part of Iceland

This remote little island has only one dusty road leading from the ferry dock through the so called old village. The old village consists of several beautifully kept old and restored houses in cheerful colours.   

The island also inhabits the oldest and smallest library in Iceland, established in 1864. This library was once home to the Flatey Book, the largest of medieval Icelandic manuscripts. And this is the beautiful little house where this library is located

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Icelanders are a privileged when it comes to the Northern Lights. They are visible for eight months a year, from early September to the end of April and in any of these months, you are likely to see some aurora activity—it just depends on your luck, the weather and solar activity.

The old Norse, theorised that they could be the glinting of the armour of the Valkyries, the legendary female figures who chose who would live and die in battle and took the dead to the afterlife.

On a nights like this when they are dancing all over the sky you can get overwhelmed by their beauty

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Snæfellsnes peninsula is one of my favorite places to visit in Iceland. Sparkling fjords, dramatic volcanic peaks, sheer sea cliffs, black sand beaches and crunchy lava flows....it’s all there

Here is Djupalonssandur beach on a beautiful autumn evening

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The Icelandic horse has a very individual character. It is patient, adaptable, uncomplicated and sometimes very spirited, it has a friendly personality and a special affinity for people. Bred as a riding and working horse for the Icelandic farmer makes it an excellent family horse. With no natural predators in its home country, the horse has shed much of its natural “fight or flight” instinct. If they see you they are generally keen to trot over for a pat and to say hello

In winter they grow a thick layer of coat and they love to stay outside as long as they have a shelter if the weather gets bad and have enough to eat

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Winter scene from Thingvellir national park. 

I wish you all a happy holidays and remember to embrace your loved ones and give yourself time to find the beauty in the world and never lose respect for Mother Nature

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Mt Einhyrningur (750m) is located between the small Tindfjoll Glacier and the bridge across River Markarfljot. The name means “The Unicorn”, and is derived from the shape of this low mountain. Its slopes are rather steep, but it is not too difficult to climb. At the foot of the mountain, on the so-called “Unicorn Plains”, is a hut used by the farmers of the Fljotshlid County, when they round up the sheep in the area late in summer.

According to the “Book of Settlements”, those plains were settled by Sighvatur the Red, where he built his farm Bolstadur. Until recently, vague ruins suggested the whereabouts of this former farm.

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The lake Álftavatn is placed in a beautiful peaceful landscape, surrounded by mountains that are characteristic for the southern part of the Icelandic Highlands. 

Álftavatn lake has a folklore story. Early in the eighteenth century, a farmer traveled with his daughter to Álftavatn lake to hunt Swans. As he took his horse from the shore into the lake he fell off the horse and drowned. The daughter traveled back home, a day's journey, and gathered some men and help. Despite a thorough search, the farmer was not found. The next night her mother had a dream where her husband asked the search team to come back a fetch his body under a certain cliff by the lake. The next day the search team went back and found the body of the farmer under the cli

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The beach by the village Arnarstapi, on the southern part of the Snaefellsnes peninsula, is a fascinating sight and has been made a natural reserve. Here you‘ll find columnar basalt, ravines, grottoes and amazing rock formations.

The volcanoes in the area have been inactive for thousands of years but their moss-covered lava makes the vast landscape extraordinary and very picturesque. 

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Iceland is famous for its stunning, unspoiled nature. The country is filled with mountains, rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, volcanoes and glaciers in every shape, size and colour.

The interior of the country has hardly any roads and no habitation but instead there are endless hiking or trekking trails to be found, some more demanding than others. But be prepared for anything, especially sudden change in weather. You don't want to underestimate the powers of nature and the volatile Icelandic climate

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The northern lights are driven by activity on the sun and the sun's activity waxes and wanes over an 11-year period known as a solar cycle.

Current predictions suggest that we are headed for a period of particularly weak solar cycles. With this decrease in solar activity, aurora sightings from outside the polar regions are going to become rarer but Iceland is located at a perfect spot right inside the aurora oval that is a huge ring above the Earth’s Geomagnetic North Pole 

This is at the Reykjanes peninsula in September last year

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Bjarnafoss waterfall falls down 80 meters from a basalt cliff. The legend says that under the waterfall stands “Fjallkonan” (Lady of the Mountain), a national personification of Iceland, and the spray from the waterfall falling on her shoulders and bosom. 

The Lady of the Mountain symbolises what Icelanders consider to be genuine and purely Icelandic, and she represents the national vision, the nation’s ultimate dream. The person in the photo is not The lady of the mountain unless she has changed into a middle aged, balding man