My target, to look at and hopefully photograph
''Iceland and Glaucous Gull''.
12.30 hours, depart Gatwick, I arrived Keflavik 15.30 hours, into hired car, and drove 20 km to Grindavik, a fishing harbour some 50 km South West of Reykjavik.
On the drive to Grindavik seeing Raven, 4. (over next two days seeing at least 20 Raven)
Grindavik faces South, me arriving 16.30 hours to dark grey cloud, the wind is gale force, very poor light ! Temperature +2 degrees C !
c20 Glaucous Gull
c80 Iceland Gull
c100 Fulmar
Kittiwake, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull in smaller numbers
Common Eider, 100's
Redshank, 12+
Not one Gull landed on any part of the harbour or even on a fishing boat ! !
They either flew past flat at speed or remained out at distance 'in rafts' in the middle of the harbour.
The tide was out, more Gulls were loafing on rocks.
All Ok to observe but just to far out for my liking !
No chance of any photography ! !
The light totally failed, about 18.30 hours, I made my way to Reykjavik, (47km), to Travel Inn, my base for three nights.
..............................................................
Friday 14th, March
I am out an hour before daylight, starting from Reykjavik, by car, i looked at every harbour, jetty, pier !
Working my way round the peninsular, then taking in Hafnarfjordur (resisting the Sparrow), Njarovic to Reykjanesbaer and out past Keflavik Airport, all harbours facing north.
Not many Gulls and definitely no photo opportunities, the weather is very dull, the wind is gale force !
It's now 12.30 hours, my only remaining option now is Grindavik again !
Grindavik, 13.00 hours.
My luck changed ! The wind dropped, the sun came out ! !
Glaucous Gull, 3rd winter
Iceland Gull, 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 1st winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
a brief 45 minutes, then grey cloud again, impossible to get decent focus !
I moved on a further 40km to the next fishing village of Porlakshofn again facing South, however, here my luck was in again !
Porlakshofn has one harbour jetty facing north !
It is 15.00 hours, the sun has came out again !
Iceland Gull, adult winter
the light died again after an hour, I made my way back to Reykjavik, checking out the lake Tjornin (three quarters still frozen over) in the city centre, home to
Whooper Swan, c40,
Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Greylag Geese
with 1000+ Starling roosting in the roof areas of the local buildings.
3 Goosander and 2 Wigeon out on the ice.
.......................................................................................................
Saturday 15th.
The weather forecast for today is ''grim''. Dark cloud, rain and wind'' all day !
Its going to be an in the car day, so i head of North out of Reykjavik, on the coast road towards Akranes, some 50 km. Arriving at first light I find this is a fishing port but the harbour area is dominated by an Aluminium Factory ! All very industrial, lots of barriers, all rather restricted, a dozen Iceland Gull out distant on restricted areas.
Temperature 0 degrees C, it' dull, dull, dull and the wind is fierce !
I make a decision to go further North to Stykkisholmur.
This is a fishing port and also the 'Ferry Baldur' for Flatey !
My plan was then to turn West along the Snaefellsbaer Peninsular to look at all the fishing harbours on this North facing coastline !
20 km North of Akranes, the weather is getting worse ! Its near dark, its snowing, the road is nasty !
I cross a 3km road bridge into Borgarbyggo and stop on the northern side to look back at Gulls circling the sea lock road crossing ! Here the wind is just crazy, the car is rocking, i cannot get out of the car door ! !
I continue on northwards, here it has been snowing last night,
at this point I became aware there is only the odd car on this road ! (me)
continuing another 10 km, now the road is 15km per hour maximum (for me) and i am getting paranoid ! When a car approaches from behind, i have to safely pull over and stop, to give room to pass !
A big 4 x 4 or a Monster truck, (with wheels as big as my car) cruises past me,
covering my little 1.0 litre 'toy car' (with studded tyres) in snow, slush, spray and crap from the road !
I cannot handle it ! It is only 10.00 am, I turn around
and head south back towards Reykjavik.
Midday, back on dry roads, i decide to head South East to Arborg then onwards to the fishing village of Eyrarbakki. I make big mistakes and ended up on the road back to Keflavic Airport ! ! ! !
leaving me with only one option !
Return again to Grindavik ! ! !
13.30 hours, arriving Grindavik, c50 Snow Bunting flew over
It's very strong wind, it's gale force ! it's overcast, I headed into a little cafe on the harbour, BRYGGJAN. Soup and coffee, most delightful, and welcome, well nice !
a 20 minute refreshment, back out, it's got a bit lighter, from the car, a brief photo opportunity !
Iceland Gull, 1st winter
It's not happening, I move on, arriving again at Porlakshofn at 15.00 hours ! ! !
It's suddenly all change ! Luck is definitely on my side ! !
The wind has dropped considerably !
The sky clears !
It's like 'perfect conditions' !
The one jetty facing North ! Two trawlers have just arrived ! creating an interest to a raft of
40+ Iceland Gulls, (now, a lot closer) ! ! !
and more happening !
''90 minutes''
All taken from the car. Totally unrestricted ! I could drive up and down the harbour, beside the trawlers to position myself to any best vantage point ! !
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 3rd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 1st winter
Iceland Gull, 1st winter
Iceland Gull, 3rd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
5 Long-tailed Duck appeared,
3 of which briefly came close for photo shot !
''just stunning looking birds'',
''the whites are gleaming whites'' ! ! !
Long-tailed Duck
Then a Black Guillimot surfaces from nowhere in front of me !
a couple of dives and two brief views on the surface ! not seen again !
Black Guillimot,
Back with the Gulls !
Iceland Gull, 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter + 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 1st winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 2nd winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, adult winter
Iceland Gull, 1st winter
18.00 hours, the grey sky came over and finished photography !
Must not forget the 100's of Eider !
Common Eider
Common Eider
This not only finishes the day, also the trip ! !
I drive back to Reykjavik, leisurely evening walk around the city finishes the day.
Sunday,16/3
08.30 flight to Gatwick and home by 14.00 hours !
Superb
ReplyDeleteLovely pics Richard, I'm glad the weather finally cam good for you.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is always a gamble but your determination paid off.......love the L.T.duck pics and the gull photos.
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos Richard shame the weather wasn't better but your persistence paid off, well done mate. I'm going to have to go one day!!
ReplyDelete