Every autumn, following their descent from the highlands, Iceland‘s free-ranging sheep are brought into communal pens known as réttir. The local community gathers and, amid much bustle, farmers and their families separate the animals according to ownership and prepare them for their return to their respective farms.

This is the second of two instalments documenting an ancient Icelandic tradition. The first part Smölun: Sheep Roundup is here.

The short video accompanying this photo essay is set to Mamaya, sung by the remarkable Malian griot Amy Koita.

The post Réttir: The Sorting appeared first on Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar.

Every autumn, sheep that have roamed freely across Iceland‘s highlands during the summer are gathered and driven down to the lowlands. This annual undertaking, known as smölun, remains an integral part of Icelandic rural life.

This is the first of two instalments. The second, to follow in a few days, will cover réttir, the sorting of the flocks.

The post Smölun: Sheep Roundup appeared first on Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar.

Autumn in Iceland is a brief affair. In the north, the transformation can seem almost sudden: birch and willow flare yellow, the berry-covered slopes become a riot of red and orange, and the heathlands deepen into rust and ochre. For a short interval, the landscape acquires an improbable richness of colour. Then before you know it, the season moves on.

All the images below were made with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone.

Part of the Fall Tales collection.

The post Northern Exposure: Autumn in Iceland appeared first on Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar.

The Icelandic Highlands are hardly short of spectacle, but Jökulgil is indecently endowed. For centuries this corner of the planet has let silence and beauty just be. Whether it survives the ravages savages of the mass tourism era remains to be seen.

This is the first in a new series on Jökulgil. The rest will gather here.

The post Autumn in Jökulgil appeared first on Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar.

Autumn colour at Vatnsskarð on the outskirts of Hafnarfjörður.

One particular patch caught my eye. With no regard for cartographic accuracy, Nature sketched a miniature Iceland into the Icelandic landscape. Close enough to fool the eye for a moment.

The Fall Tales collection.

The post Iceland within Iceland: An Autumn Tale appeared first on Photo Blog by Rajan Parrikar.