Iceland, a botanical expedition by the roadside

[Maritfri]

This summer we have finally realized the dream of traveling to Iceland



We have not traveled around the whole island but chose to keep us in the area  Vestfirđir.



And what expectations did we have to the trip? We wish to see historic Sites, wild and beautiful nature and enjoy the fantastic bird life in the fjords. Hopes of seeing puffins were highest on my wish list.







All our wishes came true!

To be continued!

Marit

[Maggi Young]

Oh. Marit , what a great trip. Will look forward to seeing more photos like these!!

[Maritfri]

Hi Maggi!

Thank you, there's more to come

Marit

Oh. Marit , what a great trip. Will look forward to seeing more photos like these!!

[Maritfri]

All flowers are photographed near by the road. While the others had a break, I crawled around with the camera. Like a treasure hunt! Look what I found!


Viola canina


Viola tricolor


Silene uniflora

Although planting hunt was exciting so I must admit that the meeting with the puffins was the most amazing experience of our trip.


Fratercula arctica



But we say as Winnie-the-Pooh, yes thank you to both!

To be continued!

Marit

[Maritfri]

Hi,

To get around the Island, right where we wanted, we had to rent a car. The roads were some places challenging even for us Norwegian, who are used to high mountains and steep cliffs




Papaver radicatum


Silene acaulis

The Puffins was photographed pć Látrabjarg bird reserve while the plants is found  throughout the area.




Galium normanii

Marit

[astragalus]

What a wonderful trip!  Great pictures of the puffins, so you realized your dream.  The Papaver radicatum is lovely, such furry foliage.  More pictures, please.

[Matt T]

I love that P.radicatum too. Beautifully shot photographs Marit. Would love to see some more 

[Tim Ingram]

Echo Matt's thought's - lovely photos Marit, of an amazing place. I went to Iceland at the end of my degree in the late 1970's - to Lake Myvatn - a never forgotten experience. We didn't see any puffins but later saw these on Skomer Island off the SW. Wales coast.

[johnralphcarpenter]

I was there in the early 1970s, before I became interested in plants. Saw lots of birds though - must go back.

[Maritfri]

Hi astragalus,

Yes! My dreams came true
I have Papaver radicatum in the garden but it is less furry than the wild. I've also had a pink variant which came under the name Island, but it died after a few years.
Marit

What a wonderful trip!  Great pictures of the puffins, so you realized your dream.  The Papver radicatum is lovely, such furry foliage.  More pictures, please.

[Maritfri]

Thank you Matt



To be continued

I love that P.radicatum too. Beautifully shot photographs Marit. Would love to see some more 

[Maritfri]

Hi Tim,

We did not have time to visit Lake Myvatn this time but we hope to go there another year

Echo Matt's thought's - lovely photos Marit, of an amazing place. I went to Iceland at the end of my degree in the late 1970's - to Lake Myvatn - a never forgotten experience. We didn't see any puffins but later saw these on Skomer Island off the SW. Wales coast.

[Maritfri]

Yes you must!


Numenius phaeopus

Marit

I was there in the early 1970s, before I became interested in plants. Saw lots of birds though - must go back.

[Maritfri]

Hi,

We did perhaps not spot any botanical sensations but it is always fun to watch the plants we know from the garden, and see how they grow in the wild?


Salix callicarpaea


Marit

[Maritfri]

Some more pictures


Platanthera hyperborea


Dactylorhiza maculata


Coeloglossum viride

Marit