Dark Skies

The weather was not kind for us at the south coast. Howling winds, heavy clouds and pouring rain non-stop was what we experienced the whole time. At Reynisfjara beach, it looked like the world had turned black and white. The beach is famous for it's black sands and the roaring waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Volcanic ash from the surrounding volcano is what makes the beach black.

I was lucky enough to spot some puffins on the cliffs near Dyrhólaey. From a distance in the rain, I managed to zoom in with my 70–200mm lens. From May to August, it is one of the best places to see puffins from land. With their distinctive orange and grey beaks, 60% of these seabirds call Iceland home. in

Unfortunately they are currently classified as Vulnerable (VU) by IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Atlantic Puffin

According to Icelandic folklore, Reynisdrangar were once sea trolls who tried to drag or battle a sea ship. They did not realize that the sun was rising and turned into stones when the sun touched them.

Reynisdrangar is the name given to the freestanding sea stacks which stand off the coast of Reynisfjara. The basalt sea stacks were part of Reynisfjall Mountain that separated from the mainland as a result of erosion. Overtime they have been reshaped by the weather and ocean waves.