Iceland 3, Horses

Icelandic horses,  are about the size of a pony as we know it are about 50 to 56 inches (13 to 14 hands in horse terms) and weigh between 750 and 850 lbs. They are known as Icelandic Horses probably because Islandica has no word for PONY.  These horses have 6 gaits but are known as 5 gaited horses because the Icelandic breed registries consider the canter and gallop one gait.   The laws of the land do not permit any import of horses and if an Icelandic horse is exported out of the country, that horse may never return.Here are some images from the trip:  Note: There are over 100 names for the colors of horses in Icelandica.  

Lupine Festival 2011

June 5, 2011 - Went north to Sugar Hill, New Hampshire for the opening week of a three week Lupine Festival.  The Lupins were in bloom but the invasive weeds are still an issue.  The density of the blooms are not what they used to be years ago.Here are two images - one a composite of a field of buttercups and the other a female red wing on a lupine.