The troll cow Photo

Photographer’s Note

Hvitserkur: the troll cow drinking in the sea.

In my view that one could also be a petrified dinosaur or a yak.

Geologicaly speaking, Hvitserkur (15 m) is a dyke. It protrudes out of the sea in the western part of the Huna Bay near the coast a short distance from the farm Suluvellir. The sea erosion has carved three holes through its foundations and sculptures it in the shape of a petrified monster.

The name Hvitserkur means "white shirt" and is due to the deposits of bird droppings that stain the rock. The left opening is about 13 feet wide and 13 feet high. The right opening is about 22 feet wide by 6 feet high. It can be reached by road 771, sign-posted for Hvitserkur (Crete Sir Kur) off Iceland Highway 1.

A few bird species, especially shag, occupy the precipice as can be seen by the guano. The foundations have been fortified with concrete. Steep steps take you down to the gravel and pebble beach opposite to the cliff.

Hvitserkuris also seen as a giant troll. This is a race who with their giant animals lumber over the rocky and snowy face of Iceland. But trolls, mighty as they are, are night beings, highly susceptible to the Sun. In dark Winter they must revel without fear, for at the dawning of the day a troll creature will turn to stone if caught by a ray of Sun. Many strange rock formations rising above lava plains are said to be those of petrified trolls. One of the most dramatic is Hvitserkur, a troll cow poised forever taking a drink of sea water on the northwest coast.

ku-fotak-chtik, ChrysK, bakes888, asajernigan, sevy, grantlp, zmey, LamCam, dorte_s_t, v_vicky has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

smarcell (14089) 2008-09-26 2:45

Iceland is full of unusual things ! Like this weird rock on the beach.
Interesting
Stefano

ku-fotak-chtik (1132) 2008-09-26 2:56

Hi Michel,

This is very nice picure at all. The place is stuning and composition and POV i very nice.

Well done.

Kind regards Jiri

goodwill (4029) 2008-09-26 3:05

Fines example of water errossion........and it seems more like a dianosaur then a cow.
A beautiful exapmle of the sceince of one third in the photography, with good management of light and shades.
TFS Michel,

Rajeev

Seiei (424) 2008-09-26 3:10

Hi Michel

Raaah ! need to go to Iceland too ! Its a really nice picture with a interessting sky. I love such ambiance ! Well done and thx for sharing

Regards

Miha2ou7 (4887) 2008-09-26 3:15

Hey Michel,

That`s an amazing rock, placed nicely in the cadre, that also features many more interesting details. Technically it is also very beautifully done.

Best regards.

bakes888 (18055) 2008-09-26 3:30

Hi Michel. Wonderful photo. Well composed, wonderful colour and detail also. Thanks for sharing.
Have a good weekend, Paul.

asajernigan (13915) 2008-09-26 3:38

Michel,
This is an excellent shot of this rock formation. The black sand beach adds to the mood of the shot. Your composition is great placing the rock formation off center while using the water to lead the eye into the shot. The lighting and colors are fine with nice sharpness and deail.
TFS,
Asa

sevy (12943) 2008-09-26 3:44

Bonjour Michel,

Super prise de vue, tres intrigant cette formation geologique encore plus dans cet environnement maritime. L eclairage focalisé sur ce "dinosaure" est accentué par le ciel chargé si caracteristique de l Islande.

Yves.

atif_ge (644) 2008-09-26 4:03

superb shot of this amazing view. nice work man.

grantlp (2104) 2008-09-26 4:15

Hello Michel,
You're right, the formation could be many things, depending how you look at it, but I can see the cow, the dinosaur and the yak. The clarity, colours and lighting are truly exceptional, and your choice of POV and composition are superb. I like the inclusion of the curved sections of beach. Very well done.
Cheers Grant

HimalAnda (1042) 2008-09-26 4:47

Bonjour Michel,

Cette photographie très bien composée est stupéfiante par son sujet. Ce rocher a une forme vraiment originale et on croirait en effet une vache s'abreuvant.
Les couleurs sont superbes, le sable noir contrastant bien avec les quelques taches de couleurs jaunâtres.

Stéphane

Silverkey (1433) 2008-09-26 4:48

Bonjour Michel
Une des plus belle photo que j'ai vu de Hvitserkur! Le POV ainsi que les lumières et les couleurs sont très sympas, et le ciel est du plus bel effet.
Cordialement
Mickaël

dArpAn (490) 2008-09-26 5:01

Michel- Its a very strange structure!!!
I never saw this before- even not on Discovery or National Geographic channels. B'uty of the structure aside, you've captured the details in a very commendable way. Gr8 work.

Rgds,
Darpan

kyrneucciu (1344) 2008-09-26 5:59

Salut Michel, au départ j'avais beaucoup de mal a la lecture de ton image a cause de la matière noire du sable au premier plan, et puis au final je me dis que si on éclaircissais la zone ce serait alors la roche qui perdrait en contraste donc bravo. JO

Natasa-David (462) 2008-09-26 8:02

Hi Michael.

Very nice photo. I like it. Good pov, nice colors and contrast. TFS!

Come and see my gallery. There's everything for everyone! :-)

Greetz.
David

zmey (7242) 2008-09-26 8:02

hello michel... perfect title for this scene... reall looks like a troll cow drinking the sea dry; the latter feeling enhanced by the low tide. the gloomy light and darkish skies work well towards setting the mood right.

regards,
kristaps

Nolme (5282) 2008-09-26 10:54

Comme j'ai beaucoup d'imagination, je voie très bien le troll ramassé sur lui-même et les bras touchant terre, de petits yeux et une bouche pincée.
belle profondeur avec ses nuages et le mouvement de l'eau est visible
marie

LamCam (3603) 2008-09-26 12:23

Hello Michel,
Anything seems possible in this landscape - even petrified cows/yaks!
Your shot shows the beast clearly, and in good detail, against the sky. The circles of mud are an important part of the composition. Great sense of space and distance.
Best wishes....Maggie

dorte_s_t (2285) 2008-09-28 5:07

Hi Michel .
Amazing how this rocky "creature" is so different from the surroundings !!
Interesting note, fine natural colours and perfect lighting !

Kindest regards
Dorte