In a country known for its hot, arid climate most of the year- the cool, rainy winter and spring come as a relief. But where Israel’s winter might come as a refreshing change to the heat, it’s spring that brings a magical transformation over the country.
Neither the sting of the heat nor the edge of chill remain- the air is gentle, a soothing balm that smooths over the cracks left from the previous year.
A thin almost translucent highlighting of green begins to appear in the crevices and curves of the driest places and then, in the blink of an eye, the arid hills and deserts become carpeted in green. The forests and plains exchange their mossy, olive greens for a palette of exuberant, neon greens. Everything seems so strikingly alive and lush. The wadis (ravine-valleys) in the hills become veritable living seams across the landscape like green veins.
The real delight of the changing temperatures, the joy, the gift, the surprise–are the living gems of wildflowers crowding in, of all shapes and colours and sizes. Carpets of them. Dozens of flower species appear en masse in spring looking for all the world like a treasure chest of jewels were scattered over the hills.
The south of Israel is renowned for its fields of red anemones to the point that there is even a festival called Darom Adom (Red South) held to celebrate it.
In the rocky areas, sprinklings of strikingly bright cyclamens stand out like exotic jewels on deep green platters of leaves among the rocks. They are fittingly called Solomon’s Fire because their petals stand up in the shape of flames. I love coming around the corner and seeing bare rocks lit up with lush pockets of Solomon’s Fire.
Another incredible sight are the massive irises that cover hillsides in some places- especially the rare black Negev irises near Netanya.
In the north, blue-purple lupines take over the landscape like broad strokes from an impressionism painting.
Hard to decide which of them is my favourite but the poppies hold a special place in my heart. Literally uplit with sunlight, their glowing scarlet heart shapes flood the grass in patches and red rivulets. The colour fills some empty space deep in my soul that was yearning for vibrance across the colder and bleaker months. As I drink in the colour, I feel a surge of joy and excitement rise in me. Serving as a reminder there are good things coming. The miracle of spring expressed in the swaths of colour that wash over the landscape. Spring in the desert.
Words by Lydia
Photos by Rachel & Lydia
