rwec's recent photos

Sea anemone.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Sea anemone.

Ralph going through a mini-canyon.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Ralph going through a mini-canyon.

Fun with Photoshop. The orange sponges are really that color. I blacked out the background to make them pop.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Fun with Photoshop. The orange sponges are really that color. I blacked out the background to make them pop.

Brain coral.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Brain coral.

Erik, impatient.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Erik, impatient.

Sea anemone.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Sea anemone.

How did a tire get under the reef?

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
How did a tire get under the reef?

Ralph.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Ralph.

This lobster and Erik had a staring contest.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
This lobster and Erik had a staring contest.

This little dude was forcing water out through his mouth to blast away sand to look for buried food.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
This little dude was forcing water out through his mouth to blast away sand to look for buried food.

4 foot grouper.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
4 foot grouper.

Halfway to the cruise ships!

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Halfway to the cruise ships!

Sometimes when diving from the shore you need to swim out to the dive site. Here was about a 1/4 mile swim.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Sometimes when diving from the shore you need to swim out to the dive site. Here was about a 1/4 mile swim.

He was about 5 feet long.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
He was about 5 feet long.

Green moray eel out at night.

2009-11-30T07:23:24Z

rwec
Green moray eel out at night.

Spotting an eel at night.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Spotting an eel at night.

Lobster out on a night dive.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Lobster out on a night dive.

Ralph with a scooter.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Ralph with a scooter.

Rock beauty. (I think.)

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Rock beauty. (I think.)

Blue tube sponges.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Blue tube sponges.

The turtle.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
The turtle.

Erik and the turtle.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Erik and the turtle.

Turtle and Angelfish.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Turtle and Angelfish.

Erik and a scooter.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Erik and a scooter.

In hot pursuit of a turtle.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
In hot pursuit of a turtle.

Between fingers of coral reef.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Between fingers of coral reef.

The purple base of a green fan coral.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
The purple base of a green fan coral.

Barracuda.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Barracuda.

Trumpet fish.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Trumpet fish.

The water gets deeper, ultimately dropping off to about 5000 feet deep.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
The water gets deeper, ultimately dropping off to about 5000 feet deep.

Looks like an aquarium, right?

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Looks like an aquarium, right?

Fan coral and fish.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Fan coral and fish.

Ralph and the barrel sponge.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Ralph and the barrel sponge.

Erik over a large barrel sponge.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Erik over a large barrel sponge.

Erik, hovering.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Erik, hovering.

Erik, sitting on an invisible chair.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Erik, sitting on an invisible chair.

Who needs a wetsuit when the water is 82 degrees? Seriously!

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Who needs a wetsuit when the water is 82 degrees? Seriously!

63 feet under, the Panerai is in its element.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
63 feet under, the Panerai is in its element.

Ralph.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Ralph.

Erik.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Erik.

Tube sponges.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
Tube sponges.

From below, looking up at the sun.

2009-11-30T07:21:43Z

rwec
From below, looking up at the sun.

OK, so this is gonna sound weird. But we felt a little heavier in Iceland. Even when laying in bed and raising a leg, the leg felt heavier. Turns out Iceland has a heavier gravitational p ...

2009-10-14T02:50:08Z

rwec
OK, so this is gonna sound weird. But we felt a little heavier in Iceland. Even when laying in bed and raising a leg, the leg felt heavier. Turns out Iceland has a heavier gravitational p ...

After the dive. We're cold, tired, and loving every second of it. We just dived between the continents!

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
After the dive. We're cold, tired, and loving every second of it. We just dived between the continents!

The canyon widened to about 15 feet at one point. Erik took the opportunity to look towards his home in Washington, DC.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
The canyon widened to about 15 feet at one point. Erik took the opportunity to look towards his home in Washington, DC.

Another picture of the continental divide, this taken by Arne the divemaster.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
Another picture of the continental divide, this taken by Arne the divemaster.

Erik between the continents. North America is on his right (the left side of the picture) and Europe is on the other side. Erik could spread his arms and touch both continents.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
Erik between the continents. North America is on his right (the left side of the picture) and Europe is on the other side. Erik could spread his arms and touch both continents.

Here is a spot where the wall on the North American side caved in, so Erik had to go shallow and swim over the cave-in.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
Here is a spot where the wall on the North American side caved in, so Erik had to go shallow and swim over the cave-in.

Erik again, threading the needle. It was a technical and physically demanding dive.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
Erik again, threading the needle. It was a technical and physically demanding dive.

We were disappoointed not to see neon green lights whipping across the sky, but we were still happy to have seen the Northern LIghts.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
We were disappoointed not to see neon green lights whipping across the sky, but we were still happy to have seen the Northern LIghts.

This arc of green nothern light was beautiful. That's glow from the moon off to the right.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
This arc of green nothern light was beautiful. That's glow from the moon off to the right.

The lights usually can be green, blue, or red. We saw the green ones.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
The lights usually can be green, blue, or red. We saw the green ones.

The camera caught a shooting star on the far right.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
The camera caught a shooting star on the far right.

Erik and Rachel really, really wanted to see the Northern Lights. Conditions have to be just right for it to work. Conditions finally were ok their final night in Iceland. These pictures ...

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Erik and Rachel really, really wanted to see the Northern Lights. Conditions have to be just right for it to work. Conditions finally were ok their final night in Iceland. These pictures ...

Here the mountains catch the sun's golden rays just before sunset. Good bye, Iceland!

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Here the mountains catch the sun's golden rays just before sunset. Good bye, Iceland!

We had some 55mph+ winds. Those waves may not look like much in the abstract, but compare their size to the cars parked along the shore.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
We had some 55mph+ winds. Those waves may not look like much in the abstract, but compare their size to the cars parked along the shore.

This is the same view as the picture immediately prior. It was raining pretty hard and the mountains disappeared.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
This is the same view as the picture immediately prior. It was raining pretty hard and the mountains disappeared.

Those aren't fires; rather, they're hot springs that dot the landscape.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Those aren't fires; rather, they're hot springs that dot the landscape.

It looked like a pot of boiling water, but we didn't see her erupt.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
It looked like a pot of boiling water, but we didn't see her erupt.

In addition to Geysir, there was a baby geysir.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
In addition to Geysir, there was a baby geysir.

Iceland is a land of extremes. We were standing maybe 20 feet from Geysir, with its boiling hot sulfur water, and its spill water had turned to ice. It was unbelieveably beautiful.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Iceland is a land of extremes. We were standing maybe 20 feet from Geysir, with its boiling hot sulfur water, and its spill water had turned to ice. It was unbelieveably beautiful.

After the eruption, Geysir refills itself.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
After the eruption, Geysir refills itself.

And after Geysir refills, we wait for another eruption.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
And after Geysir refills, we wait for another eruption.

Geysir erupts every 5-8 minutes.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Geysir erupts every 5-8 minutes.

It's a heck of an eruption.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
It's a heck of an eruption.

The lawyers must've gotten lost somewhere between here and Gullfloss, which is missing any warning signs.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
The lawyers must've gotten lost somewhere between here and Gullfloss, which is missing any warning signs.

Wow. Just wow.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Wow. Just wow.

Just in case you forgot where you were.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Just in case you forgot where you were.

The area looked more like an alien world than the Earth. There are boiling sulfur water pools giving off the steam over there, just in front of dried lava flows.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
The area looked more like an alien world than the Earth. There are boiling sulfur water pools giving off the steam over there, just in front of dried lava flows.

Everything you wanted to know about Geysir but were afraid to ask.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Everything you wanted to know about Geysir but were afraid to ask.

All the "snow" in the foreground is actually frozen ice crystals.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
All the "snow" in the foreground is actually frozen ice crystals.

OK, not entirely true. There was a shin-height rope at part of the falls, but it looked more like a tripwire than a safety feature.

2009-10-14T02:52:04Z

rwec
OK, not entirely true. There was a shin-height rope at part of the falls, but it looked more like a tripwire than a safety feature.

So of course there's no railing or anything to keep people from falling in.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
So of course there's no railing or anything to keep people from falling in.

Another view. We were told by the guide to be careful because if we fell in, they'd only find body parts down the river.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Another view. We were told by the guide to be careful because if we fell in, they'd only find body parts down the river.

Erik at Gullfloss.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Erik at Gullfloss.

Gullfloss eventually empties into this canyon. It was very loud and powerful.

2009-10-14T02:51:37Z

rwec
Gullfloss eventually empties into this canyon. It was very loud and powerful.

Did we mention it was cold? Some of the overspray from the falls froze on the weeds and grass.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Did we mention it was cold? Some of the overspray from the falls froze on the weeds and grass.

Gullfloss. Means "Golden Falls." Here it is with Rachel and a rainbow.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Gullfloss. Means "Golden Falls." Here it is with Rachel and a rainbow.

We arrived at Gulfloss. It was on land owned by this woman. But it is such an important site that she donated it to the Icelandic government. Who then tried to sell it to the British, who ...

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
We arrived at Gulfloss. It was on land owned by this woman. But it is such an important site that she donated it to the Icelandic government. Who then tried to sell it to the British, who ...

This was our vehicle for the couple hour drive into the center of Iceland. A UNIMOG; a converted millitary vehicle designed to go just about anywhere.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
This was our vehicle for the couple hour drive into the center of Iceland. A UNIMOG; a converted millitary vehicle designed to go just about anywhere.

You can see the dried lava flows. Rachel kept thinking we were at high altitude even though we weren't...and then she realized why....the trees/shrubs don't grow much in Iceland and it look ...

2009-10-14T08:22:43Z

rwec
You can see the dried lava flows. Rachel kept thinking we were at high altitude even though we weren't...and then she realized why....the trees/shrubs don't grow much in Iceland and it look ...

Sheep were the most common livestock. There's something like one sheep for every person in Iceland. Enough to make New Zealanders jealous.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Sheep were the most common livestock. There's something like one sheep for every person in Iceland. Enough to make New Zealanders jealous.

We passed many small farms.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
We passed many small farms.

We also drove past Hekla, Iceland's most active volcano. It's about a mile high. And way back in the day, it erupted so much that locals thought it the gateway to Hell.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
We also drove past Hekla, Iceland's most active volcano. It's about a mile high. And way back in the day, it erupted so much that locals thought it the gateway to Hell.

Next up, a drive to Gullfloss. But before we got there we passed this. It's a cave. Which was occupied by a farmer, his wife, and their 3 kids until 1946!

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Next up, a drive to Gullfloss. But before we got there we passed this. It's a cave. Which was occupied by a farmer, his wife, and their 3 kids until 1946!

We took a day trip called the Golden Circle. First up, back to Þingvellir National Park, where Erik dived the continental divide. No diving this time.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
We took a day trip called the Golden Circle. First up, back to Þingvellir National Park, where Erik dived the continental divide. No diving this time.

Look closely. There's a vertical light in the center of the picture, extending to the top of the frame. It's a gift from Yoko One to the people of Iceland. Every year from October through ...

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
Look closely. There's a vertical light in the center of the picture, extending to the top of the frame. It's a gift from Yoko One to the people of Iceland. Every year from October through ...

The view out our hotel window. This was Iceland on a quiet day. The weather can change in an instant, though.

2009-10-14T05:39:07Z

rwec
The view out our hotel window. This was Iceland on a quiet day. The weather can change in an instant, though.

Downtown Reykjavik at night. Lit up all pretty-like.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
Downtown Reykjavik at night. Lit up all pretty-like.

Full moon over Reykjavik.

2009-10-14T01:37:20Z

rwec
Full moon over Reykjavik.

See? Prettier with Rachel in the frame.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
See? Prettier with Rachel in the frame.

The only thing prettier than the mountain view is Rachel.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
The only thing prettier than the mountain view is Rachel.

Erik's is the bubble closest to the camera. Rachel felt a little weird seeing Erik go underwater and not come back up for 40 minutes.

2009-10-14T00:43:18Z

rwec
Erik's is the bubble closest to the camera. Rachel felt a little weird seeing Erik go underwater and not come back up for 40 minutes.

Erik, underwater. His is the bubble closest to the camera.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
Erik, underwater. His is the bubble closest to the camera.

After making sure his air supply and backup are functioning, Erik prepares to go under.

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
After making sure his air supply and backup are functioning, Erik prepares to go under.

Erik tentatively dips his big toe into the glacial meltwater that is 2 degrees above freezing.

2009-10-14T01:03:01Z

rwec
Erik tentatively dips his big toe into the glacial meltwater that is 2 degrees above freezing.

Erik's ready to get wet. Even though he's in a drysuit. Saying "Erik's ready to stay dry" just doesn't have the same impact.

2009-10-14T01:03:01Z

rwec
Erik's ready to get wet. Even though he's in a drysuit. Saying "Erik's ready to stay dry" just doesn't have the same impact.

The airline lost our luggage. And because we arrived at 6:30am, we couldn't check into our hotel til the afternoon. What to do??? Let's get in a van and go for a drive...

2009-10-14T00:40:25Z

rwec
The airline lost our luggage. And because we arrived at 6:30am, we couldn't check into our hotel til the afternoon. What to do??? Let's get in a van and go for a drive...

There's Erik, bringing up the rear. For future reference, note the yellow tank with one strap running horizontally across it. That's the easiest way to identify Erik in the drysuit. The di ...

2009-10-14T06:30:44Z

rwec
There's Erik, bringing up the rear. For future reference, note the yellow tank with one strap running horizontally across it. That's the easiest way to identify Erik in the drysuit. The di ...

Two other people were as crazy as Erik: Keith, from the UK, and Ben, a lawyer from Chicago. Turns out Ben and Erik worked for the same law firm for a few years, Ben in Chicago, Erik in DC. ...

2009-10-13T23:26:48Z

rwec
Two other people were as crazy as Erik: Keith, from the UK, and Ben, a lawyer from Chicago. Turns out Ben and Erik worked for the same law firm for a few years, Ben in Chicago, Erik in DC. ...