Winter is here...

This lonely apple still hanging on to the tree reminds me that fall has nearly made its exit, and winter is coming around the corner...

Eagle Eye

This eagle was part of a show at Photokina in germany this year. When we came by, the bird was taking a break, hanging out on it's perch. A perfect opportunity to photograph an eagle up close! I got lots of good shots of it. Here are three of my favorites.

Glacial Fog

Looking over Svinafellsjökull as the fog starts to roll down the mountain. We had a wonderful morning hike on this glacier tongue, and the weather held out for us until we were on our way back down. The fog was rolling in and it was just starting to sprinkle as we were stepping off the ice. HDR assembled in Photoshop HDR Pro. Skaftafell, Iceland. Summer 2012.

Angry Birds

This is a swarm of arctic terns in Vatnsnes, Iceland. Arctic terns are among the most aggressive of the sea birds.Their favorite passtime is to divebomb people when they get close to them. They really go for blood too. I've had them just inches from my head before. I've heard of people that have had pieces of their scalp ripped off by these birds, and I generally try to stay clear of them. They seem to be after me too, as I'm usually the one being attacked. The area where our campsite was located, however, was right next to an arctic tern breeding ground, which has been made into a sanctuary, complete with an observation platform from which you can see one of the largest seal colonies in Iceland. The birds were used to seeing people, and generally tried not to kill or maim us. It was rather unnerving having arctic tern babys sitting on the path, and having to walk by them without getting attacked. We made it back alive, and I think I'm mostly cured of my arctic tern phobia.

Feeding Time!

An arctic tern feeding it's chick. Vatnsnes, Iceland.

Transition

Glacial ice transitions seamlessly into mountainside. Svínafellsjökull, Iceland.

Cold Desert Mountain

This mountain is called Snaefell, and lies to the north of Vatnajökull in Iceland. It is surrounded by highland desert. You can see neon-colored moss that grows at the rivers edge. The mountain is 1833 meters high.

another cute little guy

I just can't get enough of these puffins! Here's another photo from the puffins in Borgarfjördur, Iceland. This one is looking rather quizical as he surveys the area, his beak full of fish.

Frozen Wave

Looking up the glacier tongue of Svínafellsjökull on Vatnajökull glacier, Iceland. Water moves in similar ways, weather its liquid or solid. This glacier tongue seemed to be a frozen wave, slowly rolling its way down the mountain until gradually reaching the ocean. More pictures to come in the near future.

More Horse Portraits

Here are a couple more horse portraits from Iceland.

Icescape

Looking down over the glacier tongue of Svínafellsjökull. Skaftafell, Iceland. In the background, you can just make out the atlantic ocean. This is an HDR assembled with Photshop HDR Pro.

Rolling Glacier

Looking over neon moss at Vatnajökull in Iceland. This is on the north side of the glacier, near Snaefell. Vatnajökull is Europe's largest glacier.

Character Portraits

Icelandic horses are characters! They all have their own style, their own hairdo (which is usually decided by the wind!) and their own personalities. I took these pictures on the south coast of Iceland, when we pulled off to meet this group of horses. They seemed very friendly, and we had to stop.

Ice Bridge

This is an ice bridge melting in the summer sun. Vatnajökull, Iceland. I'm not sure how much longer this was around after we left. My guess is, it was gone in a few hours. This is an HDR assembled in Photoshop HDR Pro.

2000 Views!

Thanks to all who check out my blog and enjoy the pitures! I've just surpassed 2000 Views total, and the past 2 months have each had over 550 views per month. It motivates me even more to keep things coming and post more new pictures for you all to enjoy. Here's a picture from somewhere on the south coast of iceland. There's lots more down the road.

Color Overload

In Iceland, you see lots of colors. Often the colors are so vivid that they don't look real. In this picture, taken in the highlands near Snaefell, The landscape is mostly desert. Wherever there's water though, neon colored moss pops out of the landscape in a blast of color that really slaps you in the face to get your attention. I usually end up having to partially desaturate these pictures to get them to look right. Even still, some of them turn out looking pretty over-photoshopped. They aren't, Iceland took care of that already!

100th Post!

Today is my 100th post! I'm so happy for the quick progress my blog has been making, and wanted to thank all my viewers for making it more and more successful. I've had over 550 views a month for the last 2 months. This blog really motivates me to look through my pictures and develop more of them than I ever would without it. Thank you all for your support. Here's a sunset picture of Goðafoss in Iceland For you all to enjoy. This is an HDR, and it has been majorly desaturated!