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@Gyrfalcon

Eiður pointed out an Icelandic gyrfalcon, and explained it was a striking bird of prey that captured the very essence of Iceland's rugged beauty and unbridled spirit. With its gleaming white plumage, elegantly speckled with shades of grey, this falcon is the largest of its kind, embodying the stark contrasts of the frozen tundra and the endless blue above. Its piercing gaze, as sharp as the jagged ice formations that cover the land, scans the horizon with the precision of a seasoned hunter. As it soars effortlessly on powerful wings, tipping the scales at a mere four pounds, the gyrfalcon is a testament to the adaptive might of the natural world.

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@Reynisfjara

The sand at Reynisfjara is black due to its volcanic origins. Formed from cooled lava that flowed into the ocean during eruptions, the lava fragments were broken down over time by the powerful waves, creating the distinctive black sand beach we see today.

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@"Troll Bread", Vik

"What's this, Fred Flintstone's toast rack?" queried Hal.
Eiður laughed and said, "Cavemen, or more accurately, humans of the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) period, lived from roughly 2.5 million years ago to around 10,000 BCE. The basalt columns in Iceland were primarily formed between 16 million and 3.3 million years ago."

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@Basalt Columns

"This period is characterised by extensive volcanic activity that led to the form­ation of the Tertiary Basalt Form­ation, the old­est stratigraphic forma­tion in Iceland. Some basalt form­ations, like those found in Kalfs­hamarsvik, are thought to be around 2 million years old. These hexagonal rock formations are formed by cooling lava and create an impressive back­drop for the beach."

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@Street Art: Icelandic Flag

"Reynisfjara is an example of a black sand beach, which can be found all around Iceland. They are formed from volcanic lava, creating a dramatic contrast with the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean."

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@Campanula Rotundifolia

In Iceland, Campanula rotundifolia, known as Harebell or Bláklukka, is a native plant primarily found in the eastern part of the country," said Eiður. "It's relatively common in the east and the Skaftafell region in the south, whilst being rare elsewhere. These flowers are blooming rather early this year."

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@Diamond Beach

"Diamond Beach," said Eiður, "also known as Breið­amerkur­sandur, is a black sand beach in Iceland where ice­bergs from the near­by Jökul­sárlón glacier lagoon wash ashore. The ice­bergs, having broken off from the Breið­amerkur­jökull glacier, glisten like diamonds against the dark sand, giving the beach its name. The striking contrast between the dark sand and the trans­lucent ice creates a stunning and unique landscape."

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@Blue Lagoon

Iceland is home to one of the best geothermal hot springs spas in the world with vibrant ethereal blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. It is a combination of fresh and seawater at extreme temperatures that allows the Blue Lagoon to be what it is. It is located in an 800-year-old lava field that is infused with therapeutic minerals like silica and algae.
The lagoon is known for its healing reputation because of its mineral-infused water that allows you to destress and unlocks a brand new spa experience!

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@Skógá River

"The waterfalls on the Skógá River are so numerous that it is almost overwhelming," remarked Eiður. "I once took a full-day hike along this river and counted 26 waterfalls!"

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@Fog on Icelandic Coast

Reynisfjara is a world-famous black-sand beach found on the South Coast of Iceland, which features basalt columns and the dramatic Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

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@Pure Frozen Icelandic Water

"Icelandic water is renowned for its exceptional purity. It's considered some of the cleanest in the world, with tap water being safe to drink and often sourced directly from pristine glaciers and underground springs. The water is naturally filtered through volcanic rock and lava, resulting in a low chemical content and a soft, alkaline composition."

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@Sólheimasandur, nr Vik

Sólheimasandur is a vast area of sand and gravel along the South Coast of Iceland, between the cliffs of the interior and the modern shoreline. It was built up by immense glacier bursts sweeping from the mountains to the shore.

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@Reynisdrangar, nr Vik

Reynisdrangar are impressive rock formations situated near the shore of Reynisfjara beach by the coastal village Vík on the South Coast of Iceland.
The formations are the remains of large and imposing sea cliffs, made up of basalt, that serve as a vital part of the area’s allure; they shoot dramatically out of the ocean under the looming cliffs of Mt Reynis­fjall, making for a beautiful site, and have a folk­lore that is equally impressive.
More modern visitors will be excited to know that these pillars also feature in Season 7 of Game of Thrones, at Eastwatch by the Sea.

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@Dyrhólaey Peninsula

The Dyrhólaey peninsula in southern Iceland at sunset. The silhouette of the rocks contrasts against the colorful sky. The area is known for its dramatic cliffs and rock formations. Dyrhólaey, meaning "the hill island with the door hole," is the southernmost point of mainland Iceland. The image is taken from Reynisfjara beach. The peninsula is a popular tourist destination and offers views of the coastline and the sea.

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@Ice Shard from Glacier

The ice­bergs, having broken off from the Breið­amerkur­jökull glacier, glisten like diamonds against the dark sand, giving the beach its name. The striking contrast between the dark sand and the trans­lucent ice creates a stunning and unique landscape."

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@Skógafoss Waterfall

Skógafoss is one of Iceland's biggest and most beautiful waterfalls with an astounding width of 25 meters (82 feet) and a drop of 60 meters (197 feet).

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@Meadow Pipit

The Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis, is a small passerine bird which breeds in much of the northern half of Europe and also northwestern Asia, from southeastern Greenland and Iceland east to just east of the Ural Mountains in Russia, and south to central France and Romania. It is very common in Iceland, but a very difficult bird to photograph due to it´s speed and behaviour. I

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@Dyrhólaey Lighthouse

The Dyrhólaey Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on the central south coast of Iceland. The Dyrhólaey Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on the central south coast of Iceland. The iconic Dyrhólaey Lighthouse stands atop the cliffs, watching over the wild Atlantic, while puffins and eider ducks nest in the craggy rocks. It is Dyhólaeyjarviti in Icelandic.

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@Shard from Jökulsárlón glacier

Diamond Beach is a popular tourist destination where icebergs from the nearby Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon wash ashore. The ice chunks are often clear and jewel-like, hence the name Diamond Beach.

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@Icelandic Puffin on Clifftop

Perched proudly in a sheltered opening at the top of the precipice of an Icelandic clifftop, a charming puffin basks in the brisk, salty embrace of the North Atlantic wind. Its vibrant beak, a stark contrast to its black and white plumage, is slightly agape as it surveys the tumultuous sea below with a keen, unblinking gaze. The waves churn and froth, displaying power yet grace mirroring the tiny bird's own resilience amidst the unforgiving elements. The puffin's plumage, a harmonious blend of black and white, ruffles with the gusts, revealing electric orange feet—tiny anchors tethering it to the land yet seemingly eager to dive into the ocean's embrace.

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@Diamond Beach

The ice can take on various shapes and sizes, creating a unique and picturesque landscape. The beach's black sand provides a stark contrast to the clear ice, making the icebergs stand out even more.

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@Black-Tailed Godwit

Eiður pointed out a black-tailed godwit. "These are also rather large waders," he said, "in size comparable to the whimbrels. In contrast to curlews and whimbrels, do you see how the beak is slightly upward bent? Their habitat resembles that of whimbrels: wet moorlands and meadows. During the winter they migrate to northern Africa and southern Europe."

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@Sheep Crossing River, Iceland

Sheep are integral to Iceland: some 400,000 roam the country, more than the human population, and they’ve sustained the island’s inhabitants for centuries. Best of all, they’re almost entirely free range. After lambing time in May, farmers turn their flocks loose to graze on the lush highland grasses and berries of Iceland’s interior.
September brings réttir – the nationwide roundup where people on foot, ATVs or horses retrieve their stock from the mountains and valleys, aided by trusty sheepdogs. The gruelling endeavour sometimes requires days in the saddle, and entire communities turn out in support.
The ancient tradition is followed by sorting at réttir, circular pens with radiating sections where farmers separate their herds. It’s a grand country party, where friends, family and neighbours come together to play music, picnic outdoors and help each other marshal their sheep.

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@Landmannhellir, Fjallabak Nature Reserve

Landmannahellir is a peaceful place in Friðland að fjallabaki (Fjallabak nature reserve). It is loved by everyone wanting to enjoy the peaceful and mystic mountains. There are many interesting and magnificent places in the area, for example, Mount Hekla, Krakatindur, Landmannalaugar, Valagjá and the ice caves in Reykjadalir and Hrafntinnusker.

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@Beach of Glacier Shards, Iceland

That night, they went with Eiður for a final stroll along a diamond beach, marvelling at the huge shards of glaciers along the way. It was a fitting end to their trip to the Land of Fire and Ice.

Gladeryl has enjoyed touring Iceland, but it is time to go home. This Event is over now, but there will be more events in PnF soon!