Landscape Photography and a Solar Eclipse

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Friday, 7 August 2026 - A wet but rewarding day in the Highlands, centered on the lush Gjáin Valley and its clear streams, waterfalls, and volcanic formations. We braved the rain to photograph Gjárfoss and the dramatic lava caves before ending the day at Þjófafoss, with Búrfell rising behind it.

We woke up to rain. Thought we would stay inside, but the decision was to press on. We suited up in rain gear and headed out.

iceland2026 — Our destination was the lush Gjáin Valley. A small valley surrounded by volcanic rock and beautiful streams.

iceland2026 — Through the Gjáin Valley runs the river Rauðá, and in the valley there are several water flows.

I was so wet - I was covered in rain gear and the camera was covered in raingear.

iceland2026 — The Rauðá River, or the “Red River,” is the lifeblood of the valley. Unlike many of Iceland’s powerful, “milky” glacial rivers, this one is spring-fed. Because the water is naturally filtered through layers of volcanic rock, it is exceptionally clear.

iceland2026 — Several small waterfalls in the valley. To the right you can see the basalt rock formed into the columns like on the beach.

The rain was really coming down - several in the group went back to the bus.

iceland2026 — The cooling lava also created the unique cave like hols in the rock. These were used in the show Game of Thrones - one scene was filmed in the valley.

iceland2026 — Gjárfoss ("Chasm Falls") is the only named waterfall in the Gjáin Valley. The water is so clear.

iceland2026 — Closer to the "caves" - it is here that "Game of Thrones" was filmed.

Very wet but happy after working so hard to take pictures in the rain. Nice hamburger for lunch.

iceland2026 — In the evening we headed to Þjófafoss (Thieves' Falls), a waterfall on the Þjórsá river in the Þjórsárdalur valley. The prominent mountain in the background is Búrfell.

iceland2026 — Local history says thieves were once thrown into Þjófafoss (also called Thjofafoss in English).

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