Wolf Beans: purple beauty or invasive species? A trip to Ingjaldshóll.

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In Iceland, the lupines are blooming right now. Last year, I missed this spectacle, so this summer I was eagerly awaiting the appearance of the purple carpets. I was very curious to see how the comparison between expectation and reality would turn out. To check it out, I had to go on a little trip because the area around my town is a lupine-free zone ;)

I have many favorite spots around, one of which is a small church on a hill next to the abandoned Ingjaldshóll farm. The church looks incredibly picturesque regardless of the season. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that lupines are growing along the road leading to it!

The uniqueness of this place is highlighted by the stunning backdrop of mountains, dominated by the glacier-covered, dormant volcano Snæfellsjökull. This is the very same volcano through which the characters in Jules Verne's novel journeyed to the center of the Earth.

Unfortunately, the weather conditions don't always permit admiring the beautiful panorama. This was the case during my last visit.

However, I do have some photos from May when I was fortunate to catch beautiful weather. In these pics, you can see the snow-covered Snæfellsjökull volcano on the right.

Alright, let's get back to the lupine session. It was enchanting. I spent quite a while wandering among the flowers, listening to the chirping of birds, and inhaling the distinct, fresh scent. Capturing the fleeting beauty of nature is a true challenge. The result is dozens of shots, making it difficult to choose just one.

Lupine, commonly known as "wolf bean," is not a native species. It was introduced to the island in the 1940s to enrich and stabilize the soil. Despite the harsh conditions, this hardy plant quickly spread. Today, it is controversial due to its invasiveness, as it can rapidly displace local species and impact the ecosystem. Icelanders need to be cautious about this!

However, tourists certainly love it.

And do I like it? Absolutely. However, I believe this rugged land has much more to offer than merely seasonal attractions. So, let's take a closer look at the area.

Wolf beans among the trees. Here, I learned to appreciate them more.

Unobtrusive beauty hidden in the grass.

From the life of birds - the white wagtail.

Let’s leave the grass and flowers behind and move closer to the church.

Do you see the group of cars parked along the narrow road? Everyone wants a photo in the lupines for Instagram.

Sheep - nature’s way of controlling excess lupine.

When I arrived at the church, a surprise awaited me. The clouds above the mountains began to part. As they say, "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes."

The majestic Snæfellsjökull began to show itself.

It's waiting for me, I know it. One day we will finally meet.

This place has an interesting history dating back to the 10th century.

Few tourists reach the church itself, so I was there alone. I took a short walk around the cemetery.

Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or Muslim cemeteries, whether small or large, old or new - there is no distinction. The same feelings and reflections prevail.

There were plenty of birds around, which seemed disturbed by my presence. Fortunately, they weren't arctic terns, which can be very aggressive when protecting their nests.

The oystercatchers.

The oystercatcher in the company of the redshank.

After the tranquil moments by the church, I felt like going for a longer walk. However, I didn’t manage to reach the start of the trail I had chosen. Perhaps next time, when summer finally kicks in. 

See you!

_{--- Thanks for stopping by! --- @astinminI'm the only author of the text and photos (exept the first picture)}

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