Icelandic Horses in the Rain — Original Prose, Photos, and Some of the Most Popular Prints I've Ever Offered
Streaming rivulets of water trailing down sleek flanks, mirrored by muddied ribbons winding down the rocky mountain slopes.
While hiking along the edge of an inlet in Ísafjörður, (you can see the original travel log here) I wandered into the midst of a small group of Icelandic Horses. Stocky and stalwart, with pony-esque faces and thick trunks, they're built for the cold wind and frequent deluges. Bundled head to toe under the driving rain and blurred, dove grey skies, I walked among them for a time; they intermittently broke into short gallops for reasons I couldn't and didn't try to comprehend. Drinking in the downpour and laughing with wild joy, here is a full set of photos I took of these powerfully free creatures running through sodden fields. While they aren't technically the most fantastic photos I've ever taken, the fierce emotion they evoke have made them some of the most sought after shots I've ever produced.
Pricked ears and gentle nickering barely heard over the layered hissing of fat droplets hitting bent grass stalks. My legs drag imprecise channels through the meadow, and the skin of my thighs tingles under layers of wool and nylon, unsure in its own sensations — merely cold, or has the insistent rain found a chink in my backwoods armor? I crouch, angled into the wind, closing my eyes against the brisk slaps from damp and icy fingers. When I open them again, the herd has shifted. Muffled thuds carried away instantly by the wild air seem strangely disjointed and disconnected from the bulky hooves producing them.
The rain falls harder, and the runnels visible in the damp fur highlight gliding muscle as a tracery of guides highlight a map. Perfect stillness — broken only by the shine of bottomless, docile eyes, all trained on me as I shift comfortably on my heels to return the gaze. Trampled areas of matted stalks are razed in a burst of frenetic movement; I can almost imagine seeing the curtain of the cloudburst parted by wildly tossed manes and whipping tails. I remain silent as they thunder in the space of steps, explosive energy expended in seconds, returning to a placid state before I can count the drumming blows that drove them past.
This wildness; this primal movement. I want to recreate it, live it, find a way to let the same rain hit, shaping lines in my soul and the stuff of my being, and leave the earth beneath me trembling from my quixotic flights. Filled to bursting with desire and awe, I open the shutter again and freeze as much of this essence in time as I can. When I finally leave the field, my passage feels ungainly and inconsequential, but my eyes and heart push through the misty shroud in homage to flashing eyes and flaring nostrils, and I think it might be close enough.
I've offered these up as prints in any size for purchase, and I've been overwhelmed at the response...they have quickly become some of my best-sellers. I'd love to see my work in the homes of Steemians!
Since I've been asked quite often, yes, I do sell prints for Steem or SBD. In fact, I'll even trade ya for cool stuff YOU make. If you ever see a photo in one of my posts that you love, come and find me on Discord or leave a comment on the post... I'd be happy to find some way to put something beautiful into your hands if you love it. While I hope to support myself with ventures like this in the future, I kind of find it more rewarding to match people up with the images that speak to them. So far, Steemians in three countries and four US states have prints I've sent out! 🖤 Maybe I can send you something special too.
These photos and words are my own work, inspired by travels all over this pretty blue marble of ours. I hope you like them. 🌶️
!steemitworldmap 65.967356 lat -23.084955 long Icelandic Horses run in the mountain rain D3SCR
My goodness Crimmi, you are one hell of a travel journo.
Words, pictures you're the whole package babe ❤️😉
I don't if I'm the full package, but right now my ratio is more substance than styrofoam peanuts, so I'm getting there! 😊
You're too modest babe.
Such beautiful creatures and the texture and views of these pictures are simply amazing! I miss horse back riding myself hopefully soon one day I can have my own horses!
I totally agree! the sky was incredible that day~ everything was on the cusp of an in-drawn breath and an explosive exhalation. Just gotta keep steeming 🤗
Greatness. As per the uzh. Love the work. You forgot a word, though:
...through the misty shroud of [something missing?] in homage to flashing eyes and...
a quarter for being an astute editor and an actual reader <3 thank you for telling me so I look less stupid~
Always here to help make things right.
Beautiful work Crimmy.
Thank you, Muxxy. I'm hoping to graduate to writing for real-reals like you have 🤗
Your words sink into my fibers and thrill me like you have no idea. I walk with you and breathe that plain, watching their wild freedom with a reckless wonder. I hope to buy that stunning print to live vicariously. <3 please write that book in you
resteemed.
https://twitter.com/Wandrnrose7/status/939875169421660162
one of these days I might at that...I so appreciate your love and support. No words.
I pray you do. I will order a signed copy, dear.
I am seriously impressed with your ability to weave such interesting stories. Combined with the beautiful photos, your blog posts are always so amazing Crim.
thank you so much <3 I'm working on posting in a less... formal..? fashion. Learning to be less precious about it :D
The shots are incredible!!! And after reading the post I could feel the ambiance surrounding you! I almost can say 'me', because it was like I was at this place taking the photos^^
Horses are beautiful and graceful creatures!
I was definitely aware of how ungainly and misplaced I was in my rain and hiking gear~ thank you so much for the kind words!
Really great narrative & OUTSTANDING photography of these horses. Made me feel like I was there. Resteemed. Thank you so much for sharing this.
so sweet of you to say, and very appreciated! I know I spend a lot of time agonizing over exactly what to say, and I know it actually holds me back from posting, often~ thank you for stopping and lending encouragement and kind words <3
Not a problem. I Just enjoyed looking over those photos again. =)
As always, I love what you have done here. Please post more often. :)
I will make an earnest attempt <3
Please make an Ernie attempt.
I really like the look and feel of those photos! The atmosphere is exactly what you get on a beautiful rainy day and I'm sure Iceland was amazing!
And despite the moody shots, the horses look really really cute <3
thank you so much! AND THEY TOTALLY ARE. They're like big goobery ponies. I have another post in the works of them running around me while I hiked a beach, and they all look like they are wearing comical wigs because their manes are so unreal!!
Sounds awesome, can't wait! :)