++ ICELANDIC DREAMS ++

This is the 24 June 2005 edition of this page

	        WE MEET THE BIRDS

                     ICELAND - 1994



On the 27th June, we visited both the Hveragerdi Greenhouse complex and, after the 
19th Century 'traditional houses' and the Skogafoss Waterfall, we took a ROCKY 
TRACK to Dyrholaey.  Here, there were large numbers of Arctic Terns returning to
their nests after visiting Europe(?).  As you may know, there are very few trees in
Iceland (you can't get the wood - you know!) - which leaves the Terns with an
'accommodation problem'.

	They solve this very easily by making their nests on the 'open ground' - 
and remembering where they left them! Unfortunately for us humans, these nests 
weren't too obvious! Just wandering around on the Dyrholaey cliff-tops was a very
nice feeling. 

	Suddenly, a flock of TERNS arrived  on the scene, kinda-agitated, 
squawking  about these pesky humans interferring with our eggs! I suppose they
were a bit angry at our innocent walking - and promptly went into their 'Alfred 
Hitchcock' mode - with a concerted attack on the small human population!

	I returned, quickly but safely, to our waiting coach - and surveyed the 
scene from there. Those with 'bald heads', like mine, became the prime targets for 
the terns in the 'horror movie'. With their sharp beaks, they could quite easily make
holes in these egg-like domes!! My retreat, as well as that of an Australian friend,
 was well-worthwhile!!

	At a later stop, my prime purpose was a sun-hat for protection from these
aggressive birds! One can't blame them for protecting their potential offspring! We all
'live and learn'!



	At the foot of the  Dyrholaey cliffs there was something extraordinary! No 
less than beaches of jet-black sand!! The blackness didn't infer dirtyness. It was as clean 
as any other sand regularly washed by the sea. It wasn't the only place in Iceland that
I came across this fantastic sight. We indulged in a LONG stop there, - followed up by
a slow walkabout - intermingled with photography. We took in the wonderful atmosphere
of the environment. 

	Then it was 'back to the coach' on the main road, across a sandy desert, some
lava-fields and a return to the hotel at Kirkjubaejarklaustur. (That place, to me, is Iceland's
equivalent of Wale's Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch!!)


	During the day, we had tumbled across some delightful 19th Century cottages at
the foot of some rocks - and also covered the Skogafoss Waterfall. What a lovely sight, - not
as good as Gullfoss (probably nothing is!) - but interesting.

	Also. on this great highway 'number 1' (Iceland's main ring road for the island) it 
became obvious that their  equivalent of the 'M25'  can be just as intimidating as a forest stage
of a major  motor rally!!

    	Having returned to the hotel in Kirkjubaejarklaustur, I took an evening stroll after
the 7.30pm meal (which I shared with a New York couple) and did my own Icelandic bird-
watching (with three young ladies who were doing the same thing).