Photographing Puffins in Iceland

Puffins in Iceland

The Atlantic Puffin is both captivating and peculiar. There are many reason why locals, artists and tourists alike are seduced by these brightly colored seabirds. They are calm while nesting and can dig burrows with their beaks and wings, but seem manic in their flying style because of their small wings.

Puffin wings can beat up to 440 times per minute. Their curious behaviour and unique appearance are a couple of the reasons we are drawn to Iceland to catch a glimpse. The Atlantic puffin travels to land in the summer to nest during the warmer months.

Iceland has the largest Atlantic puffin colony in the world, more than half the population comes to Iceland to nest in June, July and August, although the earliest ones arrive in April.

• See Also: Birds in Iceland.

Látrabjarg - Sea Cliff in the Westfjords

Látrabjarg, sea cliff in the Westfjords, is one of Europe's biggest bird cliffs, a home to birds in unfathomable numbers. This westernmost point of Iceland is really a line of several cliffs, 14 kilometres long and up to 441 metres high. And it's as steep as it gets, dizzyingly so.

Safe from foxes, the birds are fearless, and provide stunning photographic opportunities from close range. Bird photography for dummies, you might say. The puffins are particularly tame and are the ones frequenting the grassy, higher part of the cliffs. But look out, the edges are fragile and loose and the fall is high.

Látrabjarg is thus deservedly the most visited tourist attraction in the Westfjords, along with the majestic waterfall Dynjandi. The cliffs are easily accessible by car and when you're there, a walk along the cliffs awaits. The whirling sensation will not fade, and neither will the memories.

It's a great photo tour to go to the Westfjords, find the Puffin in the sea cliff Látrabjarg and then explore the landscape and nature in the Westfjords for few days.

Contact me if you are up for a great tour in an area that is sometimes a little left out in Iceland.

• See Also: The Westfjords of Iceland.