A humpback whale dives into the still waters of Skjálfandi Bay, just off the coast of Húsavík in North Iceland. Its tail lingers above the surface for a few seconds before disappearing into the deep. In the distance, the snow-covered peaks of the Kinnarfjöll mountain range rise through a layer of low clouds, adding a quiet sense of scale and solitude to the scene.
This moment was captured on a calm, overcast day when the sea and sky seemed to blur into one endless stretch of blue and grey. There were no dramatic splashes or breaches, just a peaceful encounter with one of the ocean’s most impressive creatures. The soft light and muted colors reflect the mood of the north: raw, remote, and deeply alive.
Standing there with the camera, it was impossible not to feel small. It’s a rare thing to be so close to something so big, yet everything about the moment felt gentle. This photo is a quiet reminder of the power and grace that exists in places where nature still calls the shots.
Rico de Jong is a 23-year-old Dutch photographer based in Iceland. Over the past decade, he has dedicated his life to developing his photography skills and traveling to some of the world's most unique locations.
Rico's expertise lies in adventure, landscape and travel photography, though he has also..
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