Days 8 and 9

Day 8:

We traveled to the cliffs of Latrabjarg, the westernmost tip of Iceland, and by extension, of Europe, to view some of the diverse species of sea birds that nest there. These cliffs, sheared by wave constant violent wave action, are the largest "bird cliffs" in the world, plunging a dizzying 440 meters into the sea at their crest. Of the dozen or so bird species that are known to nest there, we saw Common Gulls, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Razorbill Auks, two varieties of guillemots, gannets, and last but not least, puffins! To be honest, the puffins, with their chubby cheeks, sad eyes, ornate bills and photogenic personalities were the main attraction. We spent probably 30 minutes lying prone by the cliffs edge to get up close and personal with the tiny avian mascots. After we had satisfied ourselves with puffin pictures and gawked at the fat seals that we sunning themselves on the rocks below, we started back to our hostel. That evening, Eric and I took a clandestine hike up the table mountain near our hostel, where we discovered samples of basalts with cubic zeolite crystals, which we returned to our professors to be returned to Furman for further analysis (and so that we might seem impressive as field geologists). 

Day 9: 

Today we drove to see the magnificent waterfalls at Dynjandi natural monument. Of course, along the we we had to stop to terrorize some nesting Eider ducks by taking photos of their eggs, and also of some migrating Arctic terns. Dynjandi was designated a natural monument in 1981, and its name means thundering noise, which is appropriate. There is one main fall and seven smaller falls, each with their own name, the largest being Dynjandi. Dynjandi is 99 meters high, 30 meters across at the top, and 60 meters across at the bottom. An old farmyard, dated back to the 15th century, was once 

maintained by wealthy tenants on the slopes of the falls. Since the falls are a protected natural feature, 

they have abundant flora and fauna that are less common elsewhere. Commonly seen animals are seals (by the coast), terns, eider ducks, and colorful harlequin ducks. Plants around the falls include birch and Rowan trees, dwarf birch, woolly willow, sundew, and long beech fern. The falls are sourced by the Dymjandis river, which is fed by several lakes and glacial meltwater. The river has eroded down through the terraces of basalt layers in the mountainside from eruptions occurring up to 16 million years ago, the oldest in Iceland. This all combines to form a truly stunning jewel in the crown of the west fjords.