I captured these two Sea Stacks early one morning in September from Renisfjara Black Sand Beach, which faces the North Atlantic on the south coast of Iceland.

The Reynisdranger Basalt Sea Stacks are located under the mountain of Reynisfjall near the town of Vik. Icelandic legend says that the Sea Stacks originated when two trolls unsuccessfully dragged a three-masted ship to land, and when daylight broke, they became needles of rock.

Reynisfjara Beach can be dangerous at times due to the large sneaker waves that can strike without warning. Some people have been knocked off their feet and swept out to sea. So you should never turn your back on the sea when standing on this beach.