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March 2025. The Westfjords of Iceland are a world untouched. Isolated, wild, and shaped by nature’s raw forces, they remain one of Iceland’s most secretive corners. For Jón Ólafur Magnússon, CEO and founder of HL Adventure, the Westfjords are home - his roots run deep here, and every return brings a grounding peace, a feeling of being exactly where he belongs. This remote expanse, with no human inhabitants in sight, became the perfect stage for his journey to find Iceland’s most elusive inhabitant - the Arctic fox
The Call of the Wild
Jón’s connection to the land is more than just a personal bond; it’s a love that has shaped his view of the wild. The Arctic fox, Iceland’s only native land mammal, calls this untamed corner of the world home. Jón had long been captivated by the fox’s resilience, its quiet elegance in the harshest conditions. The challenge of capturing its spirit through the lens, of sharing its story, became a personal pursuit. Alongside two friends, he ventured into the heart of this wilderness, cameras in hand, hearts open, patience as their guide.
A Glimpse into the Untamed
In these wilds, the Arctic fox is no shy creature - its gaze is as sharp as its movements. Except, of course, for that one fox - the rare all-white one, which seemed to taunt the cameras, always just out of reach. Still, each encounter was its own magic, fleeting yet profound. The stillness of the land is broken only by the wind’s whisper and the calls of distant seabirds. Then, a flash - a streak of fur against snow or dark earth. The foxes, sometimes deep brown in summer, other times cloaked in the pale white of winter, seem almost otherworldly in their quiet grace.
Meeting one of these foxes isn’t easy. It takes hours of patience, of standing still against sometimes freezing winds, and knowing that the fox decides when to appear, if at all. For Jón and his team, every sighting was a gift - proof that in the wild, time moves at its own pace, and patience is the key to unlocking its treasures.
The Art of Arctic Photography
Photographing Arctic foxes in their natural environment isn’t for the faint of heart. The terrain is at times unforgiving, with towering cliffs, fjords that cut deep into the land, and weather that shifts without warning. The foxes are always on the move, elusive, ever-watchful. Each shot is a test of endurance, skill, and instinct. But this is what makes the experience so rewarding - the challenge becomes part of the journey.
Unexpected Encounters
The Westfjords don’t just surprise with their wildlife. There are seals basking lazily on rocky shores, owls watching with silent intensity, and even the distant splash of a whale fin breaking the surface of the sea. But it’s the human connections that stay with you - the locals who share stories of life in Iceland’s remote corners, where nature reigns and time moves slowly. It’s here, in this wild place, that you realize the beauty of being present, truly present, in a place that demands it.
A New Perspective
Spending time in such an untouched landscape leads to quiet reflection. Nature’s silence forces you to listen, to pay attention. Here, amidst the vastness, the balance between creature and habitat feels fragile, sacred. It’s a reminder of the delicate responsibility we share in preserving these places, where human footprints are few and far between.
The Journey for the Curious
For those who feel drawn to this untamed beauty, the Westfjords may seem distant, but that’s part of their charm. Whether by winding mountain roads or across the sea, the journey itself is a part of the adventure. And with HL Adventure, experiencing this wild world is only a call or mail away. We can bring you closer to the Arctic fox, to the landscape, to the peace that Jón himself finds when he returns home.
For Jón Ólafur Magnússon, this journey wasn’t just about capturing images, it was a rare communion with one of Iceland’s most enigmatic creatures, set against the dramatic, timeless backdrop of the Westfjords. A journey of patience, resilience, and quiet awe. A reminder that the wild still holds secrets for those willing to wait.
