There is something romantic and adventurous about swans (Cygnus), who appear in many fairy tales as a symbol of purity and innocence. The loyalty a swan couple have to each other and to their breeding site is well known and appeals strongly to people. The whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), sometimes called the common swan, belongs …
Spot the whooper swan in Iceland: Isn´t it elegant? Read More »
Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson has teamed up with Toyota, Royal Geographical Society, Discover the World, and now – Perlan. Specializing in arctic photography, he is one of Iceland’s leading photographers. Singularity within his specialization Ragnar pioneered the use of computers and digital equipment in Icelandic photography. He established Arctic-Images in 1985, his own studio and graphic …
Iceland has one of the densest concentrations of volcanoes on the planet. This relatively small mid-Atlantic nation has no less than 30 active volcanic systems. Here are some of the main ones, that are fun to recognize. Tallest: Öræfajökull At 2110 meters, this is Iceland’s tallest volcano. It is located in southeast Iceland and sits …
For many, a visit to Látrarbjarg is the highlight of any trip to the Westfjords. The main bird cliffs in Iceland teem with sea birds. Látrabjarg is not only the largest sea bird cliff in the country; it also holds that honor in all of Europe. This is a special somewhere, not to be missed. …
This is the Common Redshank The Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) belongs to the family Scolopacidae and the so-called waders (Charadeiiformes). Waders are migratory birds that come to Iceland in big flocks in the spring and leave in the fall. Even tough waders migrate together and are very sociable, they do not nest in colonies. Other …
At the top of Öskjuhlíð hill, right outside Perlan, stands an intriguing sculpture. The artist combines natural science and art in sustainable, creative ways. Thermal Wight and impressive sculptures The sculpture Thermal Wight (1988) was originally set up at Krýsuvík but now stands at Perlan, Reykjavík. The artist, Robert Dell, was awarded a Fulbright research …
Thermal Wight: Impressive Sustainable Artwork at Perlan Read More »
This is the Raven The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a large passerine bird (Passeriformes) of the Corvidae family, which are all sort of crows. Corvids have been known for their intelligence and problem-solving skills which are often considered as supernatural powers. No wonder that the raven is so popular in stories, legends, and poetry. …
A big majestic bird glides over the sea until it darts into the ocean to catch a fish. The big splash and chaos that follows when the bird disappears into the sea is a sight that no one forgets. This bird is, of course, the northern gannet (Morus bassanus) which has earned the nickname “Queen …
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Meet the Arctic Tern The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea), usually just called a tern, belongs to the tern family (Sternidae). It is a very delicate bird that weights about 100 gr (3.5 oz). Adult terns have a distinguishing look; a deeply forked tail, black hood, and dark red beak and feet. Other than that, they …
Spot the Tern in Iceland: The World’s Best Flyer? Read More »