Iceland: Land of Ice and Fire - Part 2

Part 1 is HERE

The North

The fourth day of our trip saw us heading for the north of Iceland. As in the UK the weather in Iceland in May had been very poor. We were due to travel across the centre of the island by the so called highland route but unfortunately the road was impassable even in mid June. Instead we had to travel around the coast road which was very beautiful but it took all day.

For the next three nights we were based at a small rural hotel in the tiny hamlet of Eyjafjarðarbraut eystri some miles inland from Akureyri, the second largest town in Iceland. Akureyri itself is situated at the head of the largest fjord in Iceland called Eyjafjörður.

Our first excursion the following day was to the famous lake at Mývatn where we were to spend all day exploring. It's a shallow lake which is exceptionally rich in fauna especially water birds. The name Mývatn can, apparently, be translated to midge lake and it lives up to its name with millions of small black (fortunately non-biting) flies erupting from the water. This is of course what makes it so attractive to ducks and waterfowl. It was the only place in Iceland I had to don my mesh  head net - not a good look.

Some photos of the day

The ubiquitous Red-necked Phalarope foraging along the shore line. I told you that you would get sick of them.

Barrow's Goldeneye - one of Iceland's specialities

and with its mate

Another Harlequin Duck

A rather wary Long-tailed Duck

Here's a sight you won't see every day - a convoy of six Great Northern Divers ( Loons) close inshore. Not sure whether these were three pairs or six bachelors.

Stunning bird

I did a short poor quality video. If you look carefully you might see the flies and the rain on the water.