Fossholl, Skutustaogigar, Namafjall (Skutustaoahreppur), Dimmiborgir and Vigur Island, Iceland

 

 Fossholl is located in North Iceland and is best known for its impressive horseshoe waterfall of Gooafoss

Skutustaoagigar is the name of a row of pseudo-craters in North Iceland.  They are often known as rootless pseudo-craters because they are not caused by the actual explosion of volcanoes, but are a by product of their flowing lava. 

Namafjall is a geothermal wonder of hot sulfuric mud springs and steam springs (solfataras and fumaroles). Black rivers of bubbling pools of sulfuric mud cut through a landscape rich with colorful minerals and is continuously steaming. At a depth of 1000 m the temperature is above 200 C. What the pictures cannot convey is the smell of sulphuric stench.  In the past sulphuric was mined in Iceland to produce gun powder.  

bubbling mud

Nothing can grow here

Dramatic landscape

Rivers of bubbling mud

Next we visited the dramatic and unusually shaped lava fields of Dummiborgir where we were warned to stay on the trails. People have been known to disappear when they strayed.  They can fall into holes and never be found.

We took a boat to Vigur Island just south of the Arctic Circle.  We were able to observe puffins, black guillemot and eider which nest all over the island. We had the opportunity to see the down processing house and learned about the ancient tradition of elderdown harvesting. 

The owner of the island and his family live here part of the year

We were taken on a tour of the island, and given a stick to hold over our heads. The many nesting birds were disturbed by our walking around the island. In order to protect ourselves from the swooping birds we held these sticks which discouraged them from attacking us. 

Black guillemot is black with a bold white patch on its wings and bright red legs and feet

Part of the harvesting and cleaning of elderdown. 

This is what the elderdown nest looks like. When the nests are built, some of the elderdown is taken and replaced with straw. An elderdown duvet can cost $6000.00. It is extremely rare and farming it takes backbreaking labor and a keen sense of stewardship. It is one of the warmest natural fibers you can find. The good news is it is sustainable and animal friendly. 

  

The birds stand guard by the entrance to their nests. When we walk by they take flight and protect their territory.