This photo of a gyrfalcon in Iceland is taken in July, 2013. The camera body is Nikon D3 and the lens is Nikon 500 mm f/4 with a 1,4 converter which is a wonderful combination. Gyrfalcon, also called gerfalcon – Falco rusticolus is the largest of the falcon species and is fully protected in Iceland. Only 300-400 pairs are in Iceland. Therefore it´s not possible to give accurate information of their whereabouts. When traveling around Iceland you can expect to see one. Exactly where is hard to say, but in the northeast and around Mývatn is getting you warm. Photographing them at nest sites is not allowed without prior permission from the Environment Agency in Iceland. If you happen to find a nesting site, please keep the location information to yourself and don´t publish the exact location information in any way.
In the winter it´s quite common to see gyrfalcons searching for prey near the coast. Pay attention to other birds behavior. If they seem to be panicking it´s likely that a predator of some kind is harassing them.
