Viðborðssel

Looking up from below, distorted reflections blur shadowed ruins frozen in time. Crumbling into an island of decay, green desaturates, settling into grey. Footprints sink under a low sky of billowing clouds, the water quietly receding like tentacles. Unknown stories fall heavily in a snow-peaked amphitheater, haunting the uninhabited silence that remains.

Glacial Runoff

Numerous waterways cut through the landscape around Viðborðssel as meltwater from nearby glacial outlets finds its way to the ocean. These channels create unique patterns, especially when viewed from the air. Meltwater from Fláajökull provides irrigation for the region around Viðborðssel, but also makes the region prone to flooding.

Abandoned Farms

Not all farms can weather the challenges of agriculture in Iceland. Many abandoned farms can be seen around the island, a sign of changing times, either from financial struggles, struggles with the environment, or a combination of both.

Shoulder Season

As longer days mark the end of winter, the grass begins to turn green in the low-lying regions while snow still details mountain peaks. The weather is often unpredictable, and frequent precipitation in many forms can be expected along with heavy winds. But with the precipitation comes dramatic cloud formations that add mood to any scene and many small ponds which dot the rugged landscape.

Arctic Farming

Agriculture has been part of Iceland's culture since settlers first arrived. Though there are many challenges with farming in northern latitudes, like a shorter growing season, there are also many benefits. In the summer, long hours of daylight and cooler temperatures allow certain crops like barley to grow very well. In addition, due to the climate and remoteness of the island, there are not many insects in Iceland, so fewer chemical pesticides are required to successfully grow crops.