On to the Glaciers

What do you think of when someone mentions visiting Iceland? For me, one of the iconic images is of a black sand beach with ‘growlers'(mini-icebergs) strewn across it and I had been disappointed to find that wouldn’t be part of the visit to Iceland that I had been planning, so was delighted to hear that it was part of this tour.

We were up and out by 6am to be at Jokulsarlon in time for dawn and I was surprised to find that the lagoon and the beach were separate entities. Received wisdom was to make for the lagoon first to see just what was around and then go over to the beach later. For me getting to the lagoon shore was the most challenging walk to this point: my worst nightmare of steep slippery banks and I was grateful for understanding company!

All along the banks and out into the body of the lagoon was ice of all shapes and sizes, too small really to be thought of as icebergs but impressive in their shapes and fascinating to watch.

This very enlarged image shows the detail of one of the ‘bergs to give you an idea of their delicacy, yet from the top of the ridge between the lagoon and the car park you would never guess at the beauty below:

Move over to the beach which is often referred to in marketing Iceland as ‘the Diamond Beach’ however, and be faced with variety of all kinds – shape, mood and movement all change from moment to moment. I was taken by three large chunks of ice as we arrived but by the time I had set up the camera, they had moved on: I’m told they were headed for the lagoon! I decided to put the tripod up ands what images I could find by focussing on just a few pieces of ice.

The four images below were all taken within a short time of each other: although they may seem to be, none of them is black and white. Three focus on the same piece of ice. Each has different mood and movement, I think. Do you have a favourite? I should point out that nothing ‘significant’ has been done to alter them: they are almost exactly as they came out of the camera.

And all this before breakfast!!

We were back at the hotel by 10.30, just in time to have something to eat before thinking about the rest of the day and planning a late afternoon shoot at another lagoon.

Our leader had said he preferred the location we were to visit in the afternoon, so I was surprised not to like it quite so much. Why? I think because there was no beach and the thing that I found most riveting in the morning was the reaction of the ice to the movement of the water.

The most interesting thing here was the view of the glacier and the huge variety of vegetation in the area as in the two images below:

The we were told about a reflection pool our tour leader had found earlier revealing a complete reflection of the main glacier.

But I think what I’ll remember most is the variety of shapes and the colours all so reminiscent of Antarctica.

Another night at the Foss Hotel and we’ll be off to Hofn. What awaits us there? I’m beginning to think of this as the week of highlights with something memorable every day! A delight, even in the cold!!