Continuation of...Iceland...the 'land of fire and ice'. Reykjavik. 7th March -11th March 2019.

Continuation....
After the awesome sights and excitement of the 'Golden Circle Tour' attractions a trip to the 'Blue lagoon' for a relaxing bathe in soothing waters was to be the next 'Bucket list' tick!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lagoon_(geothermal_spa)

 

Thanks are extended to my Daughter for the Blue Lagoon images!

 

The thermal water was so relaxing and a complimentary drink from the bar in the lagoon and a facial mask added to the relaxation of the lagoon, both were included in the ticket price ,which wasn't cheap but worth it for the experience.

The lifeguards looked a little out of place as they were dressed for the cold conditions, it seemed quite surreal in a funny way to feel so warm in  the thermal water and then to see the lifeguards warmly wrapped up against the cold weather.

 

The water appears blue because of the presence of the mineral and algae content, in fact you cannot see the bottom of the pools because of the milky blue water. 

 

Did I mention that it was snowing on the way to the lagoon and whilst bathing in the water? Well it was and apart from snow falling on the journey to the airport for our flight home the weather had over the 4 days been sunny, very cold but sunny!

 

....................................

It was decided that our last full day would have to be a Whale Watching trip in the morning followed by a leisurely walk after lunch to the central shopping area.

The boat we were aboard 'Andrea' left Reykjavik's Old Harbour and headed for the Whale Watching area in Faxaflói Bay.

 

 

A boat similar to the boat that we were on.

 No particular reason for this image other than I like it.

 

 Long-tailed Ducks and Eider Ducks, with the latter seen in decent numbers on the water.

 

 Cormorants in a great number, easily 300 +! I have never seen such numbers of them before and doubt I will again!

 

 

Northern Fulmars were a regular sighting.

 

'The English name fulmar and the official name fulmarus originates from an old Icelandic name fúlmár meaning foul gull. This is related to its nasty habit of regurgitating a stinking stomach oil when disturbed. However one can not but admire their elegant and seemingly effortless flight.

 

The above is taken from a passage on Northern Fulmars in Birds of Iceland.

 

 

 

 

Cormorants on a mission!

 

I personally managed to see 5 sightings of  Minke Whale...well the dorsal fins mostly! Harbour Porpoise swam close to the boat.

 

Andrea departed from Reykjavik Old Harbour for a whale watching themed cruise in the Icelandic waters of Faxafloi. Facing a westerly swell, we headed toward the feeding grounds where we hoped to find cetaceans. Once we passed Grotta lighthouse we sighted a pod of Harbour Porpoises on our starboard. We managed to get a glimpse of their small triangular dorsal fins before losing them in the blue wetness of the bay. We then encountered many seabirds that were searching for food: Kittiwakes, Cormorants, Northern Fulmars. Along the way we carefully looked out for cetaceans, until a wild Minke Whale appeared. It was roaming erratically, swimming back and forth, making frequent 180° turns. We tried keeping track of this animal and managed to see its back and dorsal fin a few times. As we kept on looking we noticed a second animal further out, which we consequently approached and observed. When our time started to run out we turned eastward with the intention to retrace our path to the city. During our way back, no less than two more minke whales decided to show up, to our greatest delight. The Andrea finally docked in Reykjavik Old Harbour after a pleasant whale watching themed cruise in Faxafloi bay.
– Etienne Menétrey
Above is the Special Tours blog post of our Whale Watching trip on the 10th March 2019

 

My one and only image of a Whale! It was a good trip and pleasantly warm(ish) on the viewing decks in the sunshine.

 

Miscellaneous images.

 

I am reliably informed that these are a Herring Gull and what looks to be a Juvenile Glaucous Gull (possibly a hybrid, Glaucous x Herring)

 

 The weather on the trip could not have been better...warmer maybe ;-) ....luckily it was glorious sunshine in the main!

 

Boats in Reykjavik Old Harbour.

 

 

 

                                                      The harbour at night.

 

Birds in the harbour.

Eider Duck (female)

                                                        Eider Duck (male)

 

Female Eider Ducks feeding in the harbour. It looked like a muscle that the Eider finally managed to enjoy!

 

 

                                         A pair of Red-breasted Mergansers.

 

A Redwing tidying up loose crumbs at a Hot Dog stall! I struggle to see them at home sometimes never mind at a Hot Dog stall! A totally unexpected encounter and humorous.

 

Our tour guide pointed out the 'forest' in the image!! More than 6+ trees is a forest in Iceland! ;-)

 

Icelanders take a majority of their vacation trips inside their own country. Pictured are typical holiday homes in 'warmer' areas of Iceland.

 

It was lovely to see the Icelandic horses, they are certainly not short of space and are extremely hardy!

 

This was purely a 'tourist' trip though of course birds were never far away in most places we visited.

 

Birds seen in no particular order:

Long-tailed Duck, Northern Fulmar, Cormorants (which could have included Shag), Kittiwake, Eider Duck, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Greylag Geese, Whooper Swan, Red-breasted Merganser, Redwing, Starling, Raven ( seen regularly), Glaucous Gull (juv) and Herring Gull.

If I ever have a return trip to Iceland I think it would have to be a 'Birding' trip now that I have done the 'touristy' trip!!

 

Iceland: The people we met on the trip were very friendly and helpful/informative, the scenery was absolutely awesome and the weather was extremely kind!

Iceland 'rocks' in more ways than one! 

 

It was a splendid holiday in great company and one I will remember for a long, long time.