On Day 2 of our Iceland trip we trekked into Skaftafell National Park, part of the Vatnajokull National Park, to see the Svartifoss waterfall. The rushing river cascades over black hexagonal lava columns, and reminded me of the Giant's Causeway, a similar natural wonder that I saw earlier this year in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The Causeway is comprised of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, that look remarkably similar to those in Iceland. Both were formed by volcanoes. The Causeway is also close by the town of Bushmills, famous for Irish whiskey, but as near as I could tell the two are unrelated!
The trek into Svartifoss Falls
Black basalt columns made of crystallized volcanic rock frame the Svartifoss Waterfall
The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland has similar hexagonal basalt to those underneath the Svartifoss Falls
Each outing on the trip always includes at least one world-class Backroads guide and leader. Eva was with us on the hike into the Vatnajokull National Park to look at the falls.
Backroads leader Eva at the Svartifoss Falls.
The view from below the rim of Svartifoss Falls
When I'm shooting photos I try to find scenes that seem to reflect each other in nature. These clouds hanging over the Hvannadalshnúkur mountain mirrored the Hvönn við Systrafoss plants in a meadow far below. I shot from a similar angle in both black and white and color using my iPhone. I ran both because I couldn't decide which one I liked the most. (I usually recommend that everyone pick one best, so I'm breaking my own rule!).
Hvönn við Systrafoss in color
Hvönn við Systrafoss plants and clouds framing the mountains in Vatnajokull National Park (black and white version!)
Hvannadalshnjúkur is a pyramidal peak on the northwestern rim of the summit crater of the Öræfajökull volcano in Iceland and is the highest point of the island. I was told this is a rare view because it's normally covered by clouds. It was truly spectacular, and I'm glad the weather cooperated for this Ansel Adams moment.
Hvannadalshnjúkur in the Vatnajokull National Park.
Tom Garvey on the Skaftafellsheidi loop above a glacier in the upland heath of Skaftafell National Park.
Taken by Rebecca Kennerly with the iPhone panoramic app.
Rebecca's shoes came apart during her hike. She's tough on her gear!
Iceland -- Day 3 of the Backroads trip coming along tomorrow!