ICELAND: THE COUNTRY OF ICE AND FIRE

You can not really realize how true this statement is until you visit this distant country.
Etymologically speaking, the word "Iceland" comes from the Irish Ísland, a term derived from Norren meaning "ice land" or "iced earth".
It has an extension, more or less, to the entire Padana plain and a population of about 320,000 inhabitants, half of which in the city's urban area of the capital Reykjavik. This makes it one of the least populated countries in Europe.
You can really travel for hours in the car without encountering a living soul.
Much of Iceland's popularity is due to its natural beauties: glaciers, thermal springs, geysers, active volcanoes, snowy peaks and vast lava deserts. To this there is a combination of a wildlife (especially a bird life) and a fascinating history, an interesting literary production and a remarkable folklore tradition.

From a photographic point of view, therefore, it is truly one of the top targets that can be found in Europe. This is for the vast and exterminated landscapes as well as for the fauna and the avifauna.

I was in Iceland in April 2015, theoretically still in the cold season. Actually, the weather, although extremely variable, has never been glaciated and the temperature has always fluctuated between -4 ° and +8 °, with some even good days. The real problem is represented by the frosty wind that when it decides to blow it does not give anyone a discount. Our visit (we were 9 photographers) lasted 12 days and took place, mostly in the south of the island. We could visit the impressive Gulföss waterfalls and the famous Skogaföss waterfall besides the two delightful Svartiföss and Sejlandföss. These are four of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls. In the south, we photographed the magnificent Djorlaey promontory and the famous Reynisfjara basaltic beach.
We also visited the geothermal areas of Salton and Strokkur (Iceland's second geyser) as well as the beautiful Pingvëllir Natural Park with the famous Almangià tetonic fault.

An attraction is naturally represented by glaciers such as the largest in Europe, Vatnajökull and Svinafellsjökull, actually one of its many branches. At the foot of these glaciers almost always glacial lakes, such as the truly spectacular Jökullsarlon with its icebergs emerging from a canal and settling on the basalt beach.

As far as fauna is concerned, it is mainly avifanuna: geese of various kinds, ducks for us unusual such as mandarin duck or harlequin duck; Swans in large numbers, white parrots; Among the mammals the classic Icelandic horses, reindeer and many seals. And then all a plethora of sea birds such as seaweed, lightning, horns, goblins, sea gulls, Iceland gulls, and dozens of others.

In short, a 360 degree nature trip. The only downfall was that we could not watch a boreal aurora as the season was slightly advanced (ideal are the months of February-March).

Apart from this, an experience to do absolutely and in which I will be happy to accompany you if you wish.

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