Winter skies create dramatic reflections on Reykjavik’s Tjornin (the name means “lake” or “pond.”) Tjornin is in the center of Reykjavik’s history and development with many government buildings around it, as well as residential areas. The city’s modern City Hall sits at its edge and extends into the water. This picture was taken at around 3:30 pm—very shortly before dusk in Iceland’s winters.
Tjornin is also a gathering place for over 50 varieties of water birds, including the Arctic tern, eider, gadwall, Greylag goose and other goose species, as well as mallards, seagulls, and Whooper Swans. It’s a popular site for local children and retirees who come to see the birds—and feed them so well that some have called the pond “the world’s largest bread soup.”
Reykjavik is a small city with a lot to offer in museums, food and nightlife, as well as being a good base for exploring the dramatic and beautiful rural areas of Iceland; many tours are available for those who prefer not to drive. Winter or summer, there is a lot to be seen—and as we found, even in February the climate is not nearly as cold as the name promises. Many visitors take advantage of Icelandair’s offer of free multi-day stopovers for passengers flying between the U.S. and Europe.
That’s a great photo, Pheymont! Guess I’ll have to add Iceland to my trip of destinations — after Portugal, that is!