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Archive 2015 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

squidfish
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Congratulations to squidfish for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 13 votes - View Previous Winners

Hi

I took my first trip to Iceland at the end of May this year for 10 days of bird photography. I won't give you the full breakdown on the trip which I had written about in detail on my Blog . It is an amazing place for bird photography and scenery is off the planet well that's how it feels in some places in the volcanic landscape. We were supposed to be camping but that didn't quite work out so we just booked hotels as we went. This actually worked out well as it meant we were not tied to a place and could try and keep in the better weather and light. It certainly has the right name as it was freezing during our visit after the coldest spring there for decades and we were accompanied by a cold blasting wind wherever we went. I will return at some point as one visit cannot do such an amazing place justice.

Any enough of my ramblings below is a small selection of images taken during the first 5 days. these were all done on foot or from vehicle with no blinds and the basic kit was a 1dx or 7dm2 with a 600mm with and without convertors.

Snipe which are very common calling from a fence post
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/snipe09May-25-2015.jpg

Up close to a resting Black-tailed Godwit
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/BT-Godwit03May-v222-2015.jpg

Red-throated Diver having a wing stretch
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/RT-Diver40May-21-2015.jpg

Rock Ptarmigan still nearly in full winter plumage at the end of May!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Ptarmigan46May-24-2015.jpg

Three summer coloured waders - Turnstone, Kont and Purple Sandpiper
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Purple-sandpiper48May-22-2015.jpg

Barrow's Goldeneye on the River Laxa
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Barrow-goldeneye11May-24-2015.jpg

Calling Black-tailed Godwit
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/BT-Godwit33May-25-2015-1.jpg

Redwing in song
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Redwing17May-24-2015.jpg

Feeding Purple Sandpiper
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Purple-Sandpiper31May-22-2015.jpg

Mating Red-necked Phalaropes
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Rn-PhalaropeJun-08-201501.jpg

Long-tailed duck in summer colours
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Long-tailed-duck22May-24-2015.jpg

Relaxed Red-throated Diver
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/RT-Diver66May-22-2015.jpg

A not so relaxed Harlequin Duck in some white water rapids
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Harlequin-Duck17May-24-2015.jpg

Preening Phalarope
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/RN-Phalarope12May-25-2015.jpg

and a very tricky flight photo of one of these tiny, high speed waders
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Red-necked-Phalarope21May-24-2015.jpg

Cruising Slavonian Grebe
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Slavonian-Grebe-11May-24-2015.jpg

The eerie call of the Great Northern Diver (loon)
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Great-northern-diver29May-25-2015.jpg

and a Harlequin Duck in some evening sun to finish.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k217/squidfish_2006/FM%20posts/Harlequin-Duck12May-25-2015-2.jpg

I will post the other half of the trip when I have finished processing them! Hope you enjoyed the quick virtual trip to Iceland.

Thanks

Rich

Aug 22, 2015 at 04:45 AM

morris
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

I love the variety and quality of this set Rich. I'm wondering if a few may be processed with a heavy hand, something that I sometimes do. My picks are:
Up close to a resting Black-tailed Godwit
Calling Black-tailed Godwit
Mating Red-necked Phalaropes
Preening Phalarope
and a very tricky flight photo of one of these tiny, high speed waders
Harlequin Duck in some evening sun to finish

When I think of Iceland the stunning scenery comes to mind. Thank you for sharing the stunning birds.

Morris

Aug 22, 2015 at 08:13 AM

soupy
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Too many wonderful shots to choose one, but catching the turnstone, red knot and the sandpiper in one frame? Just about a perfect scene for a birder.

Sue

Aug 22, 2015 at 09:02 AM

arbitrage
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Great stuff...I'm so used to thinking of Iceland as a landscape trip but I'm glad to see that when I do make the trip some time in the future I can do a lot of birding instead which is what I prefer anyways. Now just don't tell my girlfriend that there are birds there....she will only go for the scenery....

TFS
Geoff

Aug 22, 2015 at 09:04 AM

birdied
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Oh my, these are wonderful. Gorgeous set. Really look forward to seeing more.

Birdie

Aug 22, 2015 at 12:00 PM

Ted ellis
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Many stunners Richard.

Thanks for sharing this fabulous series.

Aug 22, 2015 at 01:03 PM

eyelaser
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Richard, wonderful shots all...and with all those amazing sightings not a single puffin....I hope the Icelanders didn't eat them all.
Eric

Aug 22, 2015 at 01:09 PM

jaylee73
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Wow..those are top notch.
Jason

Aug 22, 2015 at 01:56 PM

jfwoodman
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

These are spectacular, Rich. Really excellent work all around. And what great subjects! Iceland is now near the top of my bucket list. Is summer the best time to go for birds?

Jim

Aug 22, 2015 at 04:00 PM

kmunroe
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

very nice set indeed Richard

Aug 22, 2015 at 05:25 PM

Lance B
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Fantastic series of birds and a great variety. Exceptional images, Richard!

Aug 23, 2015 at 02:03 AM

squidfish
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Many thanks for your comments. Yes Iceland is a lot more than scenery and an amazing place for a bird photographer to visit.

Eric we deliberately did not go to the two main sea birds colonies on the basis they involved a long drive and we have such good places to photograph puffins etc here in the UK. Guess it was a novelty going to Iceland and not coming back with a single puffin shot 😀

Jim the best time to go is the second half of May and first half June. If you want birds with young then a visit in July would be needed. However, Myvatn which is one of the best bird photography areas may be unpleasant later with flies, as Myvatn translates to 'lake of Midges' and usually lives up to its name.

Cheers

Rich

Aug 23, 2015 at 04:13 AM

Herb Houghton
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Fantastic set Richard with lots of new ones for me.

Aug 23, 2015 at 05:11 AM

David Leask
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Excellent set Richard. Iceland has been on by list for a few years now. Your post has made it jump a few places

David

Aug 23, 2015 at 02:54 PM

squidfish
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Thanks Herb and David

David should you definately go it's superb. If you need any info. to plan your trip just send me a message as always happy to help other photographers.

Cheers

Rich

Aug 24, 2015 at 01:36 PM

fdevyatkin
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Great stuff Squid!
Love the wing spreads.
Fred

Aug 24, 2015 at 02:49 PM

shereethal
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Richard these are fantastic.

Aug 25, 2015 at 05:59 PM

Rschultz
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Makes me want to go to iceland. Beautiful shots one and all.

Aug 26, 2015 at 06:15 AM

Ted ellis
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Wow....great set

Aug 26, 2015 at 06:40 AM

squidfish
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Iceland Days 1 to 5

Many thanks for your comments. My favorite species of the trip were the Great Northern Diver (loons). We get them here occasionally in the winter so it was a real treat to see them in breeding plumage and calling. There will be some photos of them in the post for the second half of the trip 😊

Aug 27, 2015 at 05:31 AM

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