Tuesday August 30, 2011

Little Elves, Little Waterfall

The real elf-stat?

I’ve heard all different percentages of how many Icelanders believe in elves. It’s always high. But I wonder what the most correct percentage is? Has there ever really been a scientific study and wide-spread poll? I’d love to know the exact stats… you guys are all so smart – it seems like the perfect task for you to figure out so we can know the answer once and for all!

Daily Photo – Little Elves, Little Waterfall

Going into one of the valleys by Isafjordur takes you to many little homes near waterfalls. I thought this one was quite lovely.

And if you look to the left there, you’ll see the tiny homes they also built for the elves.

I was editing this photo at dinner one evening in Isafjordur. One of the waitresses saw this house, recognized it, and said, “Oh that’s jklasdj(jkasdj^dhsaj”. Of course, I am doing my best to approximate the Icelandic language there…

Little Elves, Little WaterfallGoing into one of the valleys by Isafjordur takes you to many little homes near waterfalls. I thought this one was quite lovely.And if you look to the left there, you'll see the tiny homes they also built for the elves.I was editing this photo at dinner one evening in Isafjordur. One of the waitresses saw this house, recognized it, and said, "Oh that's jklasdj(jkasdj^dhsaj". Of course, I am doing my best to approximate the Icelandic language there...- Trey RatcliffRead the rest here at the Stuck in Customs blog.

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  • Susan

    Awww….what cute little elves houses – I think I saw these in one of your shots before and wondered…I want an elf house – maybe I can start a trend in CA!!

  • http://none louis

    I’ts like fair tale stuff almost like Irish.Love the waterfall as a back yard drop

  • Patrick Ahles

    Great surrounding to be living. I just wish to know how you pronounce the “^” near the end of the name of the house?

  • http://simonmorris.me/ Simon Morris

    Cool shot Trey – the yellow and green tones really help make the house ‘pop’… love the waterfall too! That said – I’d be forever getting up in the middle of the night for a ‘Jimmy Riddle’ ;-)

  • http://www.thesharpshooter.co.uk @thesharpestshot

    Lovely shot, I would like to know how they calculate the size of the elve houses?!?

  • Vicki wilson

    What a cute house, lovely image!!!

  • http://justshootingmemories.com Daryl Clark

    Beautiful photo. Are all houses in Iceland named, or just all the ones you find?

  • Chris

    :( I want a waterfall in my backyard. Great shot Trey.

  • Harbles

    The Elves of Iceland are subjects of Scholarly scrutiny.
    ” The question of the “level of belief in elves” in Iceland is somewhat of a cultural topos, with survey results published in 1975, 1995, 1998, 2006. Interpretations of the survey results vary. Based on the 2006 figures, Magnús claims that while only 26% of Icelanders believe in elves (summing the responses ‘certain’ and ‘probable’), 80% “do take notice” (including the replies ‘possible’ and ‘unlikely’).”
    From the Wikipedia entry “Icelandic Elf School” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_Elf_School

  • http://www.phogropathy.com John

    Such a beautiful location! It’d be so cool to have a waterfall in my back yard!

  • Gail in Montana

    Neat photo, Trey. I would love to see that location!! Thanks for sharing the little elf house, so cute ;-) Have a great Tuesday :-)

  • Gail in Montana

    P.S. Chinese tycoon offers to buy 0.3% of Iceland for $100,000,000. Saw this on My Yahoo home page and had to share it, lol.

  • Stephen Clarke

    I think I can see an elf looking out of the elf house window when I look at your photograph full size! Oh, and there is most certainly a hidden person standing right there on the deck!

    Trey, I thought you might be interested in seeing a new video from your friend Matt Ridley on ‘Ideas’. Here it is!
    http://www.livestream.com/ideacity/video?clipId=pla_21863d8f-30c2-43d8-a1f8-b97fc4510f17&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb

  • Georg Panzer

    You can ask an Icelander to pour hot water on the ground. If he is hesitant and would rather not, you have a genuine elve beliver. I think the same applies to Montana and North Dakota and any other state with Nordic immigrants.

  • http://dthorpephoto.com David Thorpe

    Gorgeous image. I can tell they don’t believe in Tolkien elves, those houses would be WAY too small! =P

  • http://simonmorris.me/ Simon Morris

    Gail – are you sure it didn’t say “American tycoon from Austin, TX offers to buy 0.3% of Iceland for $100,000,000″? Hehe ;-)

  • tj

    Trey, have you seen the movie, “Troll Hunter?”
    It played at Sundance this year, and is now out on dvd
    its not about elves, but definitely plays up the scandinavian folklore..
    you should give it a go

  • Al

    Trey, I spent a week in Iceland for my honeymoon. On one of the treks up mt hekla, our guide told us he and his sister had spoken to elves so there’s at least 2/300000 people that believe in them ;)

  • http://www.thehotviolinist.com Jenny

    Elves may have small houses, but they throw huge parties.

  • http://www.stuckincustoms.com Trey Ratcliff

    Thanks!

    And I’ll have to check out that Troll Hunter movie!