Skjбlfandi Whale Spotters, a photo from Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Nordhurland Eystra

Photographer's Note

I think a year is a long enough holiday break from TE, so here I am again. Who knows when the next break will come?

This shot was taken - with a long lens - from a whale-watching excursion boat in Skjбlfandi Bay, in Iceland's far north. The centre for whale watching is the small town of Husavik (see map view). We did indeed see many whales, including the blue and minke whales, in the three hour voyage. Despite visiting in mid-June, and being made to pull bright yellow waterproof overalls on top of our warm clothing, it felt awfully cold on board the boat. According to Wikipedia, Skjбlfandi means 'trembling', which may be connected to the effect of earthquakes in the area. Husavik is a pleasant and picturesque village, with an interesting whale museum and a couple of nice restaurants in which to bring life back to cold bodies after the boat trip.

Shutter speed 1/500
Aperture f6.3
ISO 200
Focal length 300mm

papagolf21, pajaran, snunney, jhm, dale54, Royaldevon, jean113, annjackman, ktanska, worldcitizen has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

ifege (48055) 2019-02-02 19:46

Welcome back Andrew - I was starting to think that most of the old Aussies had retired from TE. I've also had my breaks.
A great one to return with the cloud layer separating points of interest.
cheers
Ian

emka (158128) 2019-02-02 22:48

Helo Andrew,

Do I see well? WHat a surprise. I have looked at your pictures from Iceland recently and you are here. I am in Iceland now. I stay in one palce and make the trip in he southern and west places. I am fascinated by the winter landscapes here.
Kind regards
Malgo

papagolf21 (152607) 2019-02-02 22:52

Bonjour, cher Andrew,
Merci pour la note et cette trиs belle composition avec ce bateau en mouvement (cela me rappelle le roman "pкcheur d'Islande de Pierre Loti).
Bon retour et trиs bonne journйe.
Amitiйs.
Philippe

snunney (130967) 2019-02-03 0:37

Hello Andrew,
Nice to see you again with this well realised minimalist composition. The boat is well placed in the frame and makes an excellent focal point with all those red tops standing in the prow. Excellent light management.

lousat (139236) 2019-02-03 0:49

Hi Andrew! I remember very well about this fascinating excursion that I made a year before you. Lots of photos to whales and a beautiful sunny day with 22 degrees. You have not been as lucky with the weather as I see, but the low clouds have created a beautiful photographic effect on the bay, excellent quality despite the difficult light. Welcome back and happy Sunday! Luciano.

Silvio1953 (221563) 2019-02-03 2:45

Ciao Andrew, fascinating misty landscape with fantastic over the clouds, lovely composition with beautiful ship in FG, wonderful natural colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jhm (211736) 2019-02-03 5:20

Hello Andrew,

Welcome back after one year, but TE is not the same but the old man if I are remain.
I like your picture with the small boat against the big rock of the mountain in background if contrast.
Colours and sharpness are pleasant to look at.
What a lovely composition and perfect presentation.
Very well done, TFS

Best regards,
John

abmdsudi (95869) 2019-02-03 5:57

Hi Andrew
Impressive compressed shot, sounds just wonderful and a great feeling with the watchers onboard out in the ocean minus the mammoth fella. The boat gives the picture some scale to the dramatic backdrop!! What a lifetime experience you've had. Remarkable shot and tfs
Best regards

dale54 (17768) 2019-02-03 7:34

andrew good afternoon and hello...wonderful clear-sharp low light shot!amazingly you can make out the small people! tfs dale

Royaldevon (85932) 2019-02-03 9:03

Hello Andrew,

It's good to see you posting again. Hopefully it will not be a brief interlude!
Belated New Year's wishes to you, too.

Your photograph has excellent clarity of the boat sailing on this grey sea. The watchers resemble a choir, in matching uniforms, as they survey the vast waters.
What an amazing atmosphere is produced by the cloud formation! It seems like a huge tsunami!
Just reading your notes and looking at the scene had me shivering!
But, I'm sure you had THE most exciting adventure!

My warm regards,
Bev 😊

jean113 (27853) 2019-02-03 9:41

Hello Andrew, a shot jammed packed with atmosphere, we can almost sense the cold and wet conditions.
The little piece of colour from the people in their waterproof clothing becomes an excellent focal point as we imagine the boat dipping and bobbing on the waves.
The mountain top gives context to the scene.
Thanks for sharing, regards Jean.

annjackman (23019) 2019-02-03 11:07

Hello Andrew,
We were there a week or two before you and suffered from the cold too! We only saw whales in the distance. Your photo captures the atmosphere of this place and the red jackets of the whale watchers give a touch of colour to the grey scene.
Super image.
Kind Regards, Ann

ktanska (44758) 2019-02-04 10:45

Hi Andrew,
Cloud layer in front of the background mountains gives a good idea of typical Icelandic weather. It's good that we see that mountain top above, otherwise this would give too gloomy feeling. That boat is well placed. I guess that's another group of whale watchers.
Kari

willperrett (14215) 2019-02-06 7:09

Hello Andrew

I've just returned from a mere 2 month absence from TE, and it's very good to see you posting again. Excellent minimalism, largely courtesy of that bank of cloud. I like the mountain peeking modestly above the fog-bank. Glad you saw the whales; mind you, I saw Humpback whales from the warmth of Strzelecki Lookout, Newcastle, NSW! None recently off the coast of Norway however. That boat looks cold and wet!

Regards

Will

worldcitizen (16068) 2019-02-09 16:46

Hello Andrew,
Welcome back to TE. :-) The gray and silver tones in this view are beautiful, and the red jackets of the tiny people on the boat really pop out against them. I also like the mountains peaking out from behind that thick, horizontal layer of mist. It's a wonderful composition.