It was chance of a lifetime getting a chance to chase the Northern Lights. Even more when you chase it in Iceland!

It all started when a friend of mine and myself started talking about the height of the solar cycle in 2012, and how the Northern Lights would be better than normal. Next question. Where would we get the best chance to see them with out traveling half way around the world. After looking on the internet Iceland Air was having a great sale. The rest is history. March 18-24, 2012 Expidition Iceland was born.

We did capture some aurora photos but nothing like the week before we were told. Never the less, if was a great trip exploring this island that you do not hear much about.

Here are just of some of the images I took during my trip there. Feel free to drop me a line if your interested in traveling to Iceland, or any more information about the photos!

Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in Iceland. It  is most northern capitol of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland. With a population of around 120,000 it is the heart of Iceland’s economic and government activity.

Below, are several wild horses which are common across the country. Just offer them a treat and they will come running!

Skogafoss is a waterfall situated in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded seaward (it is now at a distance of about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) the former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coast over hundreds of kilometres, creating together with some mountains, a clear border between the coastal lowlands.

The Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 25 metres (82 feet) and a drop of 60 m (200 ft). Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days. Out of the 6 days we were there we had only 6 hours of clear skies! We were lucky on this one.

Gullfoss (Golden Falls) is a  waterfall located in the of Hvíta river in southwest Iceland.

Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The wide Hvítá rushes southward. About a kilometer above the falls it turns sharply to the left and flows down into a wide curved three-step “staircase” and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 m and 21 m) into a crevice 32 m (105 ft) deep. The crevice, about 20 m (60 ft) wide, and 2.5 km in length, is at right angles to the flow of the river. Click on the image to make it bigger. Then look in the lower left corner. Check out the photographer setting up his tripod. Now you can really appreciate the size of the falls.

Ever see a Geysir close up? This one is Strokkur. One of the most famous geysirs in Iceland. It erupts every 5 minutes or so to a height of about 40-50 feet. Here is it’s famous “blue bubble” before it bursts. The bubble is about 2 feet high and 6 feet in diameter. Between the bubble showing up and bursting is about 1/2 a second. You have to be quick to get this shot.

The beaches in southern Iceland are all black from lava. A unique contrast when the waves come crashing in. Taken from the cliffs of Dyrholaey, 200 feet above the ocean floor.

These are Reynisdrangar rocks of the Reynisfjall and Reynis Beach. East of the Dyrholaey. It was a mean ocean the day we were there.

The southern town of Vik with it’s church at the top of the town. You can see this for miles away.

Seljalandsfoss is one of the most famous waterfalls of Iceland. It is very picturesque and therefore its photo can be found in many books and calendars. You can actually walk behind the falls if you don’t mind getting a little wet!

Reykjavik’s hidden streets yeild’s many treats for photographers! A colorful walkway into the center of town.