I made some video footage at Gullfoss that might give some indication of the power of the waterfalls.
Video made with my iPhone.
Heading out from Vik, I made my way towards Laugarvatn. At Skogafoss, I made a repeated stop to make some photographs of the falls. This time, half way up.
Skogafoss Waterfalls
After checking into the hostel, I made my way to Gullfoss. These are really amazing multi tiered waterfalls that appear to disappear into a canyon!
Gullfoss
The lower falls take a massive tumble down into the gorge below, releasing a huge cloud of water vapor and spray.
Gullfoss, Lower Falls
Light was falling rapidly and dinner was calling. On the way back to the hostel, after passing through Geysir, the setting rays of the sun grazed the distant hills. I managed this one image of farm buildings in front of the distant hills.
Geysir, Setting Sun
The setting sun was magical. Reflection off the low clouds, the sun gave a magenta sheen to the wet road surface.
Sunset Road At The End Of The Day
That really made my day!
Returning to Vik. Passed this farmhouse near the Skaftafell National Park.
Farmhouse Near Skaftafell
After arriving at Vik, made a trip near Dyrholaey to view the sun setting.
Sunset At Dyrholaey
Followed by the moonrise.
Moonrise Near Dyrholaey
Meander in lagoon at low tide.
Lagoon At Vagnasstadir
Abandoned farm buildings along road to Hofn.
Abandoned Farm Buildings, Iceland
Finally, this iceberg washed up on the beach.
Iceberg On Beach, Jokulsarlon
About 12 inches in size!
Leaving Vik, I headed to Dyrholaey, a few kilometers away. The wind was really pumping here, as can be seen from the waves.
Dyrholaey
Heading east, the road crosses a plain of volcanic boulders. Among the moss covered landscape, I found a bush adorned with autumn foliage.
Volcanic Boulders, Moss And Autumn Colors
At Holmur, where there are rolling hillsides covered with long grasses, I turned into a farm road.
Farm Road, Iceland
Close by, the main road crosses this river.
River Flowing Through Farmland
Traveling on… The main road passes very close to these waterfalls.
Waterfall Along Roadside, Iceland
There are many waterfalls in Iceland. In the image below, there are at least two waterfalls tumbling over the cliffs behind the farm house.
Farm Overlooking River
This same river valley has grasses that contrast nicely again the black volcanic sands.
Riverside Grasses In Autumn Colors
Finally I reached Jokulsarlon, where the glacier flows into a lagoon. The glacier is in the background under heavy cloud in the background. The icebergs are mainly pale blue in color. However, as the glacier flows, it picks up black volcanic sands that result in black stripes in the ice.
Icebergs At Jokulsarlon
Leaving Reykyavik, I stopped at the geothermal power generating station for a tour.
Hydrothermal Cooling Towers
Iceland is volcanic by nature, with boulders covered by bright green moss.
Volcanic Rock And Moss
Along the roadside, the grasses and bushes were in their autumn colors.
Autumn Colors Along Roadside
Iceland has thousands of waterfalls. Many are a short trip from the main circle route.
Skogafoss, Waterfalls
Finally, I arrived at Vik at the end of a busy day.
This morning I arrived in a rain-soaked Reykyavik for a vacation in Iceland. It was a welcome change to see rain after several weeks of dry weather in Colorado. After arriving in the city, I checked into the hostel that is located near the harbor. Soon afterwards, I took a walk around the city center. At the harbor, I encountered this rain soaked bench.
Wet Harbor Bench, Reykyavik
Reykyavik has many colorful houses. I waited for lady pushing pram with her baby to enter the scene, to complete the composition.
Mother And Orange House
Further along the street, this bar window had a line of six identical figurines lined up along the ledge.
Six Figurines
Along one street were several bicycle racks. The incomplete reflection of the wheel in the puddle made this image for me!
Bicycle Reflection, Reykyavik
In the harbor area, I encountered another bright red bicycle. This bike was part of the advertisement for a bike rental business located in the harbor.
Red Bicycle, Reykyavik Harbor
There a many bright colorful murals in Reykyavik. This chicken was just waiting to be captured!
Reykyavik Chicken Mural
That’s all from Iceland for now.
For three or four weeks every fall, our aspen forests in Colorado wear their fall colors before the leaves drop. Yesterday I made a trip down Shrine Pass. On a steep east-facing slope, these were the first aspen that are encountered. Most aspen trees that I have photographed in previous years were on relatively flat ground. At this location, the steep slope allows for an interesting composition.
Aspen Forest, Shrine Pass
Climbing up the slope, I made several images. The following image was made close to the edge of the aspen forest, adjacent to the pine forest. I like the way the backlit leaves against the pine forest.
Aspen, Backlit By Afternoon Sun
Most aspen trees have branches near their crowns. Lower down the branches break leaving behind triangular shaped scars. Here is one where some moss has settled on the scar.
Aspen Trunk Scar
Looking down Shrine Pass we can see the magnificent fall colors on the east facing slope.
Fall Colors At Shrine Pass
Earlier in the summer I made a similar image from this location — under rainy, overcast skies with green forests.
Boulder And Aspen, Shrine Pass
Looking towards the sun, the aspen trees light up with cheerful yellow and green leaves. I included the backlit foreground grasses to complement the trees.
Aspen And Grasses
I made my way down forest road 709, where it meets the creek. Here is the view back across the bridge over the creek.
Forest Road 709
The light on the aspen trees only lasted a few minutes longer before the slope fell into the shadows.