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NATURE NOTES The
Flowers of Winter 2005-2006
Where to go, What to see, When
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Almond Trees are Blooming
Already |
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The hot spell in the middle of winter tricked
the almonds, among others, into starting to flower. The white blooms of the almond
are the symbol of the Tu Bishvat holiday, which falls on February 13 this year,
since they usually flower around that date. But the trees are already in bloom,
more than three weeks early. They can be viewed in the Judean hills - at Tel Tzuva, next to Kibbutz Tzova, in
Motza - right from the road to Jerusalem. In the north, try Keren Naftali on the
Naftali Range (near Moshav Ramot Naftali), the Jezreel Valley, or the
Western Galilee.
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Almonds in the
Desert |
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The beginning of February is the time to visit the
blossoming almond trees in the Negev Highlands. Borot Lotz and Nahal
Eilot are the best place to not only see the almonds, but also get a glimpse of the
Negev in bloom with tulips, anemones, cyclamens and many other flowers. To get to Borot
Lotz, take Route 171 (it starts a little north of Mitzpe Ramon) and drive west for 30
km. (an adventure in itself). Stop off at Bor Hamat to see if it is full of
water. Turn right to Borot Lotz (signposted). Borot Lotz are a group of
Israelite period wells with remains of settlements around them. Grand old
(hundreds of years old) Atlantic pistachios grow between the wells.
To see almonds in full bloom, go to Nahal Eilot. Drive back a little from the Borot
Lotz parking lot in the direction of the road. Just before you get to the road, a
black-marked unpaved road leads off to the right (west). Drive along the unpaved
road until it ends. Lock the car (the Bedouins of the Negev seem to make a living from
breaking into cars!) and walk down the black-marked trail into Nahal Eilot. The
Atlantic pistachios are marvelous and the almonds in between are a sight
to be photographed.
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Almonds and Mushrooms - Baram Forest |
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Start at Hiram Junction on the North Road near Kibbutz Sasa
and take Route 899 northward, following signs to "Mordechai and Ester's Graves" (yes, from
the Purim story). Leave your car in the parking lot and follow the path leading eastward into the forest. In the winter,
the forest is full of mushrooms, moss, and almonds in full bloom. The path
marked in red will take you back to the parking lot. |
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Anemones in all Colors - Shefaram Hills |
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Wonderful carpets of anemone and poppy are just
beginning to cover fields all around the country. Once the rain stops, head for the Shefaram-Alonim hills
to see an example. The most popular path leads
off from the approach road to Kibbutz Alonim. |
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Anemones in the Negev |
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The famous anemone hills on the road to Beersheva
in Nahal Habesor should not be missed. This year, the hill will have an extra
powerful glow due to the rains and the cold weather. |
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Lupin Land |
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The lupins have begun to bloom by the thousands
around Mount Tabor. For some "blue" photo ops, stop on the main road from Afula
to Kfar Tavor, just before the turn off to the Tavor. There are lupins galore on the right
side of the road. For a better view, drive to Kfar Kish and hike down to the
basalt canyon of Nahal Tavor. The hills are carpeted with this beautiful
flower. |
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Cyclamen Hill - Giva'at HaRakafot |
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If you have never seen it, do it this year - visit Cyclamen
Hill near Kibbutz Galed. From Eliakim Junction on the Fureidis-Yokneam road (near
Yokneam), take Route 672 southward to Kibbutz Galed. There are flowers galore; Rakafot Hill cannot be
missed. Stay away on weekends though - the place is packed. |
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Old Gvaram - Cyclamen and Irises |
 Seven
kilometers south of Ashkelon on the coastal highway, turn left to Kibbutz Gvaram. Drive
to the top of the hill and follow the sign to "Old Gvaram" (Gvaram Hayeshana). Park on
the approach road and walk through the cattle gate to see the hills carpeted with cyclamens and
irises. Take the path to the top of hill for a view of the southern coastal plain -
towards Gaza. |
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Almonds in bloom
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