ICELAND BIRD PHOTO TOUR
- Photo Tour
- July 1-12, 2024
This workshop focuses on photographing birds during the breeding season in Iceland. It’s timed for the peak time when Atlantic Puffins will be feeding chicks. Iceland is one of the top breeding bird locations in the Arctic and we will have numerous opportunities with Puffins, Waterfowl, Shorebirds, Jaegers, Loons and many other birds. All the while enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Iceland and also keeping our eyes out for mammals such as the Arctic Fox. Accommodation consists of mostly 4 star hotels, with a couple of comfortable guest houses also including the only hotel on Flatey Island.
What to Expect – A lot of great bird photography opportunities. Many of the birds of Iceland are quite tame and allow for close approach. For this tour you would want both your longest bird photography lens and a zoom lens for creating compelling birdscapes and also for some landscape photography. Activity level is fairly easy, we will have some short walks on flat ground. Fly into and out of Reykjavik, Iceland.
Maximum participants – 6 photographers plus their companions.
Cost and Logistics
$7,950 per photographer, $7,000 per nonphotographer spouse/companion. Single supplement $1,400. The deposit to reserve your spot is $2,300. Cost includes all lodging, meals, transportation within Iceland, guiding and instruction. It includes all activities within the itinerary. It does not include drinks, tips, airfare from your home to reach Iceland or items of a personal nature such as laundry and phone calls. Balance is due 90 days before the tour starts.
Itinerary
July 1st – Arrival to Reykjavik airport, transfer to our hotel on the shores of Lake Ellidavatn. Staying in a four star hotel on this large lake outside of town we can begin our bird photography soon after arrival. The lake hosts breeding Common Loons, Whooper Swans and Tufted Ducks, as well as breeding shorebirds such as Snipe, Redshank and Dunlin. Hotel: Hotel Kriunes, a 4 star hotel.
July 2nd – In addition to the lakes there are heathlands in the area which attract breeding Whimbrel, Golden Plover, Ptarmigan and Wheatears. After our morning shoot, we will check out and head to the Snaefellsness Peninsula. We will check into our hotel and head out for an afternoon photographing in this beautiful area of moorlands, lakes and black sand beaches. White-tailed Eagles are possible in this area and Harlequin Ducks are common. Hotel: Stoo Guesthouse.
July 3rd – Today we will visit a lighthouse and cliffs that are one of the top spots to photograph Razorbill, Thick-billed and Common Murres, Fulmer, Kittiwake and more. The grassy areas near the top of the cliff have Snow Bunting and Ptarmigan. Hotel: Stoo Guesthouse.
July 4th – We will check out and take the morning ferry to Flatey Island. This small island is home to hundreds of pairs of breeding Atlantic Puffins. We will spend a lot of time photographing these amazing birds. Hotel: Hotel Flatey, the only hotel on the island, comfortable rooms, shared bathrooms.
July 5th – In addition to the Puffins, Flatey Island is the best place to photograph Red-necked and Red Phalaropes. Red-necked are abundant here. There is a large Arctic Tern colony and Common Eiders breed on the island. Hotel: Hotel Flatey.
July 6th – One more morning photographing the birds of Flatey Island, then we will check out and take the ferry back to the mainland. We will be on the lookout for photo opportunities during our drive to our next hotel which is located on the beautiful Siglufjordur Fijord. Hotel: Siglo Hotel, a highly rated four star hotel.
July 7th – We will spend the day on Hrisey Island. There are large numbers of Rock Ptarmigan on this island and 40 species of birds breed on this small island. On the short ferry crossing sometimes Humpback Whales and Porpoises are seen and photographed. In the evening we will return to the Siglo Hotel.
July 8th – We will take another trip to Hrisey Island today. Hrisey is an excellent island for shorebirds such as Black-tailed Godwits, Common Redshanks and Snipe. We will then return to our hotel, check out and head to our next hotel on the shores of Lake Myvatn. Lake Myvatn is one of the top waterfowl breeding locations in Europe. Hotel: The highly rated Fosshotel located on the shores of Lake Myvatn.
July 9th and 10th – We have two full days of bird photography at Lake Myvatn. An amazing 16 species of waterfowl breed on Lake Myvatn including Harlequin, Long-tailed and Tufted Ducks, Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Eurasian Wigeon and Teal, Whooper Swans, Pink-footed and Greylag Geese and many more. There are also both Common and Red-throated Loons as well as Horned Grebes. We will keep our eyes open for Gyrfalcon, Merlin and Short-eared Owls. Hotel: Fosshotel.
July 11th – One more morning photographing the waterfowl and birds of Lake Myvatn, then we will return to the Reyjavik area looking for photo opportunities on the way. We will have an evening shoot at Lake Ellidavtn. Hotel: Hotel Kriunes.
July 12th – Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Jure Novak
Jure is a well published photographer and birder from Slovenia, who has photographed widely in Europe and leads or co-leads all of our European based tours. He has constructed many of the hides we use in Slovenia. Jure loves waterbirds in particular so he's looking forward to helping you photograph the birds of Iceland. He will provide in the field and classroom instruction and help you take your best images. Jure will spend a week in Iceland getting ready for the tour and scouting the areas.
