mark prior photography

Summary of a number of trips to Iceland.

A view from the Hilton of the sun setting.
Like a Bond villan our driver walks away from the black SUV while a large amount of water vapour vents from the geothermal power plant behind him.
A scenic lookout across the Þingvellir National Park with the lake in the middle distance.
Þingvallavatn is the largest natural lake in Iceland. This is the view at the northern end near the visitor centre where there are a number of small islets with the main lake behind. A bit of dark cloud is adding to the moodiness of the scene.
Almannagjá gorge where Europe and North America try to get away from each other.
A popular rock formation in the Almannagjá gorge with a small(ish) boulder caught between larger bounders sitting on top of a edge. The negative space between them looks somwhat like a cat.
Drekkingarhylur (the drowning pool) was used from the 16th to the 18th century as a site for executing women by drowning.
Another of the attractions on the Golden Circle is the waterfall known as Gullfoss. The spray from the waterfall cooperated in creating a rainbow over it and diving into the gorge below the accessible part of the falls.
While Geysir is mostly dormant and so is just a plaque on the ground Strokkur puts on a regular show not far away. Lots of people surrounding it and not taking into account the wind conditions as what goes up typically come down but not in the same place.
Most people in the hotel would have taken the lifts and not seen the spiral staircase, which is a bit sad. The interesting metal railing added to the composition. The carpet was a light purple but I processed the image as black & white to emphasise the railing.
Around Heimaey (the largest of the Westman Island). The cliffs feature basalt columns with green algae close to the water line. Above the cliffs is the red and black soil from the 1973 eruption of Eldfell volcano.
Two gulls standing on the edge of the cliff.
A Northern fulmar gliding close to the water, it's shadow is just visible below it.
A sea stack with the island of Elliðaey in the background.
A helicopter flight takes me over the Nýifoss waterfall near (lake) Hagavatn,
Landed somewhere on the glacier Langjökull and was confronted by these weird black cones.
On the glacier Langjökull where there are small gullies in the ice filled with dust or ash. In the background are some hills and the plains.
Orange tinge to the sky with some snow covered peaks on the horizon.
Höfði is a two story white wooden house famous for a 1986 summit between USA President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, Secretary General of the USSR.
Yoko Ono's tribute to John Lennon stands on a small island (Viðey) near Reykjavík. During certain times of the year a power light shoots up from this structure, powered by renewable energy (geothermal) but not on this fine summer's day. The white tiles of the monument are inscribed with "Imagine Peace" in 24 languages.
Viðey looks a bit like an "8" with a small lake in the middle. No trees but it is very green due to the native grasses.
Five panels of stained class bebind the alter of the Lutheran church in Akureyri.
It's a restaurnt but in a pretty wooden building with red painted walls, white window frames and a black roof.
Looking out the window at an orange and pink tinged sky.
No missing Grímsey Lighthouse. A boxy bright yellow tower with an orange lantern visible through and above the parapet.
Four puffins standing on the top of a cliff. The stone of the cliff is spotted with yellow lichen.
A photo of a puffin captured with wings down pointing to the right of frame. Behind it is a pale blue sky with haze of the far mainland below that and the darker blue sea at the bottom of the frame.
Originally built from driftwood this church was burnt down in 2021. It has since been rebuilt but this is the original. White tower in front with red double doors, and red storm shutters. There is a wondow in the top of the tower and a small balcony around it. At each corner of the balcony is a cross and on top of the red roof a large cross. The main building, connected to the tower is also white with a red pitched roof. There is a flag pole in the grounds but no flag is flying on it.
A blue curved ceiling with gold stars and chandeliers. In the centre of the frame is the altar with the pulpit to the right. A painting of the last supper is hung behind the alter. It was painted in 1878 by a local artist and is a copy of a work by Leonardo da Vinci.
Flying back to Akureyri along the fjord with snow capped mountains on both sides of the fjord.