Crazy good day of spotting wildlife

Today (our last full day of this tour and trip) we headed out to the tip of Snaefellsnes Peninsula, to where the lighthouses are, and had just a fantastic day looking for birds and marine mammals.  We saw humpback whales breeching, orcas frollicking, at least one sperm whale, and a very striking, long and bushy tailed arctic fox.  Plus many birds, of course.   Incredible day -- really.

On the drive we continued to learn more about Iceland:

We passed the minimum security prison which has no guards or fences. Its 20 prisoners currently include two executives from Luxemburg bank wo were involved in the financial melt-down.  We were told they spend some of their time fishing and some of their time doing taxes for local village businesses. Hm.

We passed sheep grazing at the ocean's edge during low tide nibbling on seaweed, which the like very much.  Should a driver hit a sheep or lamb, they are required to contact the farmer and make restitution.  People therefore honk at sheep in the road but try very hard not to hit them. 

There are no mosquitos in Iceland although they are in nearby Greenland.  No one knows why.

Everyone here is free to enter and even camp one night on anyone's land, unless it is expressly forbidden.  Its called "the right to roam."   (They think we in the US are crazy to have so many guns)

Icelands, being egalitarian, are rather pleased their language has no real word for "please."

And now for some pictures:

These first four pix were taken en route to the lighthouses --

This is where we saw the humpback whales.

Below is where we saw orcas, more humpbacks, a sperm whale and the the arctic fox.

Site of an ancient well said to have magical waters.

Our very last stop--to see kittywakes.

Kittywakes on their nests.