Landscape Photography and a Solar Eclipse

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Thursday, 13 August 2026 - Our final day took us back to Reykjavík, with a last look at the geothermal landscape of the Reykjanes Peninsula before exploring the colorful city on foot. I spent the afternoon photographing Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, the waterfront and colorful streets.

We drove back to Reykjavík where all but three were dropped off at the airport. I and two others went with our guide on an extended tour of the sights near Reykjavík. Then I spent the afternoon walking around downtown Reykjavík.

iceland2026 — The Svartsengi geothermal power plant on the Reykjanes Peninsula near the airport.

This is the second time I have visited these sites.

iceland2026 — Gunnuhver Geothermal Area where underground steam and volcanic gases mix with surface water to create acidic conditions that turn surrounding rock into colorful clay.

iceland2026 — The steam rising uncontrolled in the geothermal area and controlled in the power plant.

iceland2026 — Reykjanesviti, which is Iceland's oldest lighthouse surrounded by lava fields. The original lighthouse was built in 1878, but it was badly damaged by an earthquake a few years later. The current concrete tower was built on the Bæjarfell hill and put into use in 1908.

iceland2026 — The rock layers slowly being eroded into the ocean.

iceland2026 — Karlinn ("The Man") is a tall volcanic rock that rises about 200 feet out of the ocean.

iceland2026 — A bronze sculpture of a Great Auk, a large flightless seabird that went extinct in the mid-19th century. The last breeding pair of Great Auks were killed on nearby Eldey Island in 1844.

iceland2026 — We returned to Reykjavík and were dropped off at our hotels. I then grabbed a camera and headed downtown to walk around.

This is the ceiling of Harpa a concert hall and conference center on the water built in 2011.

iceland2026 — Lots of geometric patterns.

In 2013, the building won the European Union's Mies van der Rohe award for contemporary architecture.

iceland2026 — Interesting ceiling.

iceland2026 — Hard to stop taking pictures of the patterns.

iceland2026 — Harpa looks right out to the harbor.

iceland2026 — Harpa walls of glass cubes.

iceland2026 — Ceiling tapering to a point.

iceland2026 — A small boat crossing the coastline of Reykjavík.

iceland2026 — Sun Voyager (Sólfar), a famous outdoor sculpture located on the waterfront.

iceland2026 — A bar downtown - Gull beer was quite good. I enjoyed Gull beer throughout the trip.

iceland2026 — Graffiti on a building.

iceland2026 — Pretty café adorned with Coke.

iceland2026 — Hallgrímskirkja is a famous Lutheran parish church. The striking stepped concrete facade mimics the natural basalt rock columns found at Iceland's waterfalls. Standing at 244 feet, it is the tallest church in the country and dominates the city's skyline.

iceland2026 — Colorful homes downtown. The downtown was touristy but filled with colorful buildings.

iceland2026 — Pretty home.

iceland2026 — Bright colors contrast on this building.

iceland2026 — Locals.

iceland2026 — Several giant graffiti murals in the city.

iceland2026 — Local home.

iceland2026 — The rainbow road leading to Hallgrímskirkja.

iceland2026 — Puncing cat in a small cafe.

iceland2026 — More colorful buildings along the downtown street.

iceland2026 — Inside Hallgrímskirkja is pretty plain - the organ is quite dramatic.

iceland2026 — The main door into Hallgrímskirkja with the word "Come".

iceland2026 — Hallgrímskirkja with a statue of Leif Erikson. Leif Erikson, who is believed to have reached North America around the year 1000. The United States gifted the statue to Iceland in 1930 to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of Iceland's parliament.

I had a nice dinner with a workshop colleague. Then up early to head to a very busy airport for the trip home.

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