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| Vík, Iceland |
Vík, the southernmost town in Iceland, would also be our eastern outpost, from which we would launch a day trip farther east. We arrived in the late afternoon. Of course, in Iceland during August that meant we still had eight hours of sunlight.
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| Vík's famous basalt rock formations, Reynisdrangar |
With its black sand beach, eerie rock formations, and close proximity to the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, Vík is a popular tourist destination.
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| A glimpse of Mýrdalsjökull |
It is also exceedingly vulnerable to a sudden cataclysmic glacial flood from volcanic activity. This, of course, can be said of many communities along the south coast...
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| Our chalet at the Hotel Edda Vík |
But for me the most memorable aspect of Vík was the Northern Fulmars nesting in the cliffs right behind our chalet.
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| Northern Fulmars |
I had known that fulmars were common breeding birds in Iceland, but I didn't know that meant such close proximity to humans. Around Massachusetts we get excited when we see a single one far out at sea.
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| Northern Fulmars |
As is the case with many birds, they are actually kind of disagreeable close up during breeding season. And fulmars are notorious for their disgusting, yet very effective, defensive strategy: "oiling."
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| Northern Fulmars |
Although the chicks can have their moments of sweet repose.
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| Northern Fulmar |
And then it's back to harassing the parent. I took a video (below) of some apparent feeding activity.
And then there were the Black-tailed Godwits visible in the meadow between our chalet and the beach.
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| Black-tailed Godwit |
Thumbs up, Vík!
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| Rainbow |
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