Excerpts from a Geographer's Photo Archive
As I mentioned yesterday, we have adopted some Icelandic traditions including the Yule Lads. One by one they start arriving on December 12 with the entrance of Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod who harasses the sheep) who also departs on Christmas Day. Yesterday the last of the Lads, Kertasníkir (the Candle Beggar) arrived and he will depart on the 6th. I’ve heard them described as “santas,” but to me they are “their own thing.” (Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, 2025)
After living in Iceland we have adopted some of the Icelandic Christmas traditions–including Jólakötturinn, the Christmas Cat. Getting socks for Christmas is an important thing. (Reykjavik, Iceland 2024)
I was having lunch with a friend the other day and she was talking about going up in the lighthouse for the solstice. As I was listening to her I realized I lived across the harbor from the lighthouse and I had never climbed up it–but I have a number of photos, (Kenosha, Wisconsin, 2012)
The first time I saw the Grand Canyon was in January just after a snowfall. I’ve been there several times since–always spectacular. This visit was special. (Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, 2001)
We were staying on a coffee collective in Nicaragua when my colleague caught me on the porch just before breakfast. Knowing me I think I was looking for coffee to start the morning. (Matagalpa, Nicaragua, 2007)
When I’m asked about the winter darkness in Iceland I tell people that it looks the same as darkness anywhere else. It’s the daylight that becomes special. I took a lunchtime walk along the harbor in late December. It was unplanned. I had come out of a meeting and the city was just so lovely in the orange light I had to walk and see it. (Reykjavik, Iceland 2024)
Yesterday I wrote about a place I’ve photoed and re-photoed over and over. I’ve wanted to get back here, but each time I was in Vik, I just didn’t make it back to this spot. I love this shot, but I would love to see it in different light and conditions as well. (Dyrhólaey, Iceland 2017)
We were walking near the Tjörnin in Reykjavik on a lovely late summer day. We liked this photo so much, it hangs over the fireplace. Later when I was living in Iceland I took a photo of it every time I walked by it. Those photos tell a better story about light and space. (Reykjavik, Iceland 2017)
There were a number of good slides in that box from Kathleen’s dad. This is what it looked like long before “Men in Black.” (New York, New York 1964)
Kathleen’s dad shot this during the 1964 World’s Fair. We found it in a box of old slides. We have it hanging on the wall in the house. What we love is how the people are dressed and are interacting in the photo. (New York, New York 1964)
Lighted Spaces and Landscapes 