Iceland Day 6: Sunrise at Jokulsarlon

We began the day early, very early. It was off to revisit the magical Jökulsárlón for sunrise. This time, instead of the glacial lagoon, we went to the popular Black Sand Beach, right across the highway from the glacial lagoon.



The beach is very well known for the many ice chunks that get washed ashore, creating this surreal scenery of a literally icy beach.

We got there right on time for the prime time show. The sun was just about to peek out from the horizon. We quickly ran from the dirt parking lot to the beach to pick a spot and setup our gears. There was already quite a number of other photographers there, lined up along the shore snapping away. The skies could not have been any better. There were some clouds lying low on the horizon, that reflected the light from the sun that was still below the horizon. The positioning was just perfect for a dramatic sunrise.

Sun just right below the horizon. The clouds were positioned just perfectly for a dramatic sunrise. And did I mention the ice? Oh yes, the beach really lived up to the hype. There were lots of ice chunks strewn along the beach, providing a magical, surreal foreground to an otherwise common beach sunrise.

And here comes the Sun!

One thing about snapping sun rises: Don't forget to turn back! Especially when you are in Iceland. Here's a different kind of alpine glow. The massive icecap catching the first rays of light.

It didn't take long for the sun to rise above the horizon. Bright warm yellow light exploded from the horizon, signaling the start of the day with a bang. The ice chunks were now lit up by the burst of light, glistening and shimmering with golden splendor. What was previously an icy cold beach was now transformed into a golden beach littered with golden nuggets. Different shapes and thickness of ice chunks emit different kinds of reflections, all unique and beautiful in its own way. I started to squat low to focus on the ice chunks, busy looking for interesting shaped ice chunks and snapping away furiously, for I know this golden moment would not last, especially with Iceland's fickle weather.

And bang! Let there be light!

The icy cool feeling of the beach was replaced with a warm golden touch.

I was just furiously snapping away at different angles.

Ice chunks with different thickness reflected the light in different ways.

Direct sunlight, reflected light from the clouds, reflected light from the ocean, reflected light from the wet shore and reflected light from the ice chunks. I could not have asked for a better sunrise to shoot.

The blinding light started to wane as the sun decided to hide behind some clouds. At the same time, some patches of clouds were lit up in a way as though they came right from an Impressionistic painting.

Unfortunately, the golden moment was a brief one. The sun decided to hide behind the clouds for the rest of the day. We strolled along the beach and checked out a large ice deposit. By then, the warm light that bathed the beach in gold was gone. The beach was back to being icy cool. However, the sky still retained a bit of golden hue, and combined with the icy cool land, the scene gave a rather surreal feel to it. It was as though we were standing in between two worlds.

Checking out the ice deposit. The icy cool ground and the still slightly golden skies gave an interesting surreal feel to it.

The lighting and the clouds had an Impressionistic feel to it.

A flock of birds in formation flew past as we said goodbye to this icy beach. What a sunrise it was.

Before heading back to the hotel, we paid the ice lagoon one last visit. It was already cloudy by then. Cool, soft light enveloped the ice lagoon, further chilling the overall feel. I loved it. It gave a sense of calm and peace.

I just couldn't get enough of this place.

We checked out the ice arch again. Still standing tall.

The lagoon was calm, so I took this opportunity to take some reflection shots. Unfortunately the sky was not dramatic enough.

Managed to locate some pristine blue icebergs.

The terminus of the glacier, the source of this magical landscape, the factory for the ever changing army of icebergs, all shapes and sizes, all charging out to the open sea.

One last goodbye to the ice arch.

The narrow opening where the icebergs flow out to the ocean.

And that was it, the most magical place in Iceland.