Skógarfoss is a nearly 200 foot waterfall of enormous proportions, very popular with tourists and photographers alike, partly due to its easy accessibility being right next to the main highway around south Iceland. Running off the infamous eyjafyallajokull it has been the witness to some of Iceland’s geological violent past, as well as to some of its wonders above its skies.
After a couple of clears nights an Aurora appeared, luminous bands of ribbon wafted over the falls for some time. But there was more, and it wasn’t until return to the UK on editing that the icing on the cake became apparent. At the base of the waterfall a Moonbow had appeared! Coupled with the -6°c temperature the bow had formed lower down the falls. Its formation was due full moon that night so the normal rainbow is a consequence of direct sunlight, this was reflected light by the moon and was unique in that it had travelled a further 250,000 miles. After several attempts to take an image while keeping the lens clear of ice, I emerged with the image on the left, although covered by ¼” of ice myself, I was very happ .
I was staying in the Skógarfoss hostel with a friend, and one or two Icelanders had turned up for this little known event, but they did mention that the moonbow was a rare occurrence.