Anne‘s theme this week is Resilience. And that is what we all have to show to survive. Resilience is the ability to maintain psychological well-being in the face of adversity. It’s the ability to “bounce back” from difficult experiences.
There is so much trouble in the world today, so we have no other choice. The most obvious example here in Europe is the Ukrainian people. When everything seems hopeless and impossible, they rise again and fight back. The fires now in the US, the war in Gaza – somehow most of us manage to go on – Life works that way. Be resilient – or break.
I guess you all know my love for Iceland, its landscapes and its strong inhabitants – people, animals, plants. Living in constant danger of disaster molds you to be resilient. And it is not only people and homes, but their whole livelihood – cattle, horses, sheep. They must be resilient in a volcanic area that often ”comes alive” We have visited Iceland several times, and sometimes soon after eruptions too.
This is Eldfell volcano after the big eruption on Vestmannaeyar, 1973. We went there in 1979, when the surface had cooled down and it was allowed to walk everywhere. Then we returned in the summer of 2019, from when these photos are.
Some of the half buried houses were left as a reminder of the disaster. This is Heimaey, the main town on the islands.
Luckily their whole fishing fleet was in the harbour those days because of a storm – so within 6 hours 5300 people were safely evacuated. Only one life was lost – a man who walked into a house to get medicin, but was poisoned by the gas.
Krafla erupted in 1984, and Hekla’s last one was in 2000. Hekla is a well known volcano that always displays a trail of smoke – erution or not. The picture shows Eyafjallajökull during the first day of eruption in 2010. This eruption caused a stop in the air traffic in the whole of Europe. The planes could not safely fly because the ashes could destroy the engines.
One of the gigantic lava fields in Iceland. You should not risk walking out there – holes deeper than 200 meters hide under the moss. Here resilience from nature is shown in flowers, grasses and mosses that came back rather fast.
The newest volcanic island, Surtsey, was created from an eruption in the ocean in 1963, south of Vestmannaeyar. Now it is a World Heritage site, but only scientists are allowed to visit. In 1965 the first living plants were discovered there and today birds are living on the island too.
Horses, I have to mention the Icelandic horses, they are among the toughest and sturdiest – and most resilient breeds on Earth. They stand close together in the winds on the open plains, often with their backs to the wind, and don’t seem to suffer at all. For this Viking people, they are priceless treasures.
This week the hosted Lens-Artists Challenges are resumed, after the fantastic Favourite Images of 2024 last week. Anne is leading us with this timely theme and her post is truly inspirational. Please visit her beautiful site and when you join us, please tag Lens-Artists and link back to Anne’s original post.
Next week it’s Ritva’s turn to host so make sure to visit her magnificent site Saturday 18th January. Until then, take care and stay curious.
Leya 
It is a wonder to see grasses, flowers, insects, then birds and small mammals, come back after a volcanic eruptioon. Lovely photos, and wonderful words to go with them.
Thank you. I wonder if wonders will return after the trump eruption today and four years on.
Nothing is permanent
Wonderful photos. Iceland is definitely a great country to show resilience in both the landscape and the people.
Amazing how nature bounces back with new growth and flowers.
Thanks for sharing this amazing country (which is on my bucket list, but will never see in person now).
Vicki, you know it is a great love of mine – and some things we have to love from afar too. Warm hugs to you❤️
You’ve really highlighted the perfect place/scenes to dramatize resilience. Now I want to go there and see it for myself! Thanks for the inspiration!
Oh, great, Patti! There are so many beautiful places and during summer it is not that cold!
Yes! Great time of year to visit there.
Perfect choice to illustrate resilience Ann-Christine. I cannot imagine life in a place where you know a volcano could erupt at any time! But such a great example of resilience. Loved the visit to this beautiful spot.
Thank you, Tina – I seem to be excused even if I often post on Iceland! But this time it was my first and only choice.
I’ve also been watching videos about Iceland posted by a photographer. Despite the volcanic nature (and maybe because of it), you have given me another bucket-list item.
Then I am very happy to note this! There are endless photo ops and endless beauty everywhere.
Wow Ann-Christine this is a great post about resilience. Have to admit volcanoes are something I have always found fascinating, though having said that I am glad there are no active ones in Australia. Well I hope there aren’t. Wonderful photos too, I will have to go and look up the place now.
Thank you, Leanne! I always think I post too much on Iceland – but this time it was my first thought for the challenge.
You‘re right, Anne-Christine, when talking about a country that has incorporated resilience in their DNA, Iceland is definitely number one.
♥ True.
Ann-Christine, thank you for highlighting the Icelandic resilience. Your photos and stories are beautiful. So much happened there. It’s wonderful to see people and nature being resilient.
Thank you, it is. It is my hope that mankind will be gone without a trace and that the true world and wildlife will live on.
A post to make us think – your beautiful appropriate collection of photos surely helps us do that. May I bring your word even closer home . . there are times in our own personal lives when what amounts to ‘resilience’ is the only way to reach the tomorrows to be . . .
True, Eha. You have a history or two on resilience. You managed to go on too. ♥
Beautiful images and reflections Ann-Christine 💚 Iceland, her wildlife and her people are a wonderful example of natural resilience ❤ xxx
♥
Iceland is a perfect example of a country that demonstrates resilience in many ways, landscapes, people and nature
Yes, and even if I often post on Iceland – this was the immediate choice for the challenge.
Beautiful landscapes, especially that first one. 👏
Where we live is a choice, but what if home is Iceland, or California, or Naples, in the path of Vesuvius? Most of us do not have to make these choices, and when disaster strikes the world looks on. Sometimes there is no choice but to be resilient, but who would willingly make that choice?
True, but i guess almost all of us love the country we were born in – and we adapt to the circumstances. You made a choice and moved – a lucky strike1
Not sure how many Brits love the UK but you make a good point. And yes, I was and am very lucky xx
I’ve been dreaming about Iceland (going there, I mean) for a while and your post just nudged me closer. A different approach to this challenge that worked extraordinary well, you can feel how tough these people and landscape are in the beauty of your photos.
Thank you, Sofia – I love Iceland just as much as I loved Japan. But for different reasons. They are totally different.
Great examples and photos Ann-Christine. I can’t imagine living in Iceland with the cold and volcanic threat too.
I understand – but I guess people get used to it and love their country.
Dear Ann-Christine
Indeed, Iceland is a place of great resilience.
We visited it several times, often on our way to Greenland. We must admit we always felt a little bit unsafe there, but we never experienced an eruption.
Have an easy week
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you, Fab Four – and I am glad you visited several times – there is much to see.
Wonderful post, Ann-Christine.
Full of hope.
The people of Iceland are admirable, and so is its landscape.
♥
This post is a real treat Ann-Christine. Choosing Iceland was a gift for us. You showed how the volcanos made the land, the animals and its people resilient. And your images are so beautiful. Take care and stay resilient!
Thank you, Anne! Sometimes I think i post too much on Iceland…but a great love is a great love…. This time it was my first thought!
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Oh yes, the people of Iceland are a great collective example of resilience! Your lava photos are fascinating and I especially like the greens of the moss-covered area.
Thank you, Sarah. In fact I tried some sjprt steps onto the green…but stepped back quickly enough.
Ann-Christine, thank you for this wonderful post. Your beautiful images and text are great examples of the resilience of people and nature.
Thank you, Beth! Iceland was my first thought when I read the challenge.
Lovely post, shows your love and appreciation to Iceland its people. The environment we live in surely molds us.
Thank you, Ritva. The older I get, the more I realise the truth in those words.
What an interesting post. I enjoyed it so much, and especially like the photo of the poppies. Wow!
Thank you, Pat. Yes, flowers made this landscape feel less barren and unforiving.
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You’ve shown us dramatic examples of resilience here, with your trademark beautifully realised photos. I can’t help liking the flowers best of all!
Thank you, Margaret – the flowers were even more beautiful in real life because of the harsh and barren landscape!
I can understand that.