My friend who lives in the Galil took me on the peak trail of Mount Meron in the northern part of Israel last week. I was thrilled to be greeted with these red anemones aka poppy anemone, known in Hebrew as kalanit (singular poppy). I thought they bloomed earlier, but she explained that Meron is up high, so the poppies bloom in May. What a treat! There were plenty of flora of Mount Meron in bloom.
Here is a sign for the peak trail on Mount Meron. We parked toward the top of the mountain, then we hiked around the mountain.
The views on Mount Meron are breathtaking. There was a bit of a haze, which my friend said is unusual. The skies are typically quite clear in late May.
I am guessing that these beautiful yellow flowers with insects on them are nurit (singular) in Hebrew – maybe ranunculus asiaticus in Latin. The English name might be asiatic buttercup.
I used this database to help identify the wildflowers: http://flora.huji.ac.il/browse.asp?action=identify
A guess for this yellow flower: yellow pea or yellow vetch. See http://www.flowersinisrael.com/Lathyrusaphaca_page.htm
Here’s how those yellow flowers were growing, in a great yellow bunch.
Thistles of various types are common in Israel; I suppose they do well in dry, hot climates.
A brown and white butterfly landed on this thistle.
This aster-like flower with light blue petals I’m guessing is a chicory flower. See: cichorium endivia
I will finish up with another view from Mount Meron. Mount Meron is known for the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai. We visited the tomb site and surrounding village – that is a topic for another post.
So beautiful Leora! These flower macros would be a perfect addition to I Heart Macro next Saturday evening (Sunday morning in Israel)… I’m so glad you are happy and enjoying being there.
Laura, thanks for the suggestion. We’ll see if I remember.
Fabulous views and lovely flora!
Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos!
Glad you enjoyed! You should take your family on this hike. Or maybe take yourself and a friend.
🙂 Now that you mention it, I realize that we haven’t been to Meiron in over twenty years! I guess it’s time to go again…
Funny, how you spelled it with an ‘i’ (Meiron). In deciding on Meiron or Meron, I Googled it and found Meron more common. Maybe I should have gone with the less common …
I like going to Tsfat and didn’t have time on this trip to go. My friend pointed out that I could see Tsfat from Har Meiron/Meron, so instead of seeing Meiron from Tsfat, I saw Tsfat from Meiron.
Gorgeous flora! I love the varied tones and your perspectives. The overviews are stunning!
Thank you, Lorri!
These are just beautiful Leora! Thanks a lot for sharing. I love the blue and the yellow flowers.
And I loved being up there! Hard to just look at pictures.
The view from the mountain is stunning. Your photos of the blossoms are gorgeous.
Thank you, George!
Leora, what a pretty post. The flowers are gorgeous. And I love the butterfly. Looks like a pretty spot for a walk.
It was splendiforous!
Such lovely flowers and bugs! I always find that I’m taking pictures of such things as well when I’m out and about.
I was so excited to be in the Galil for part of my trip! So much beautiful and distinct nature there.
Such lovely scenery! Love the colors.
It was much greener than it was on my trip five years earlier. A rainy winter and earlier in the season as well. Wonderful to see a green Galil. Reminded me a bit of our trip to the Berkshires last summer.
The flowers and landscapes are gorgeous.
Thank you, Carver!
What a nature laden post for Nature Notes Leora…. I love the view and the flowers… I see you like to try to track down IDS too… Fun finding the answer… Thank you for linking in this week…. Michelle
I love the quest to find the right id. Not easy, especially when I can’t ask my local friends.
What lovely wildflowers and gorgeous views. It’s always fun to see other parts of the world. I don’t think we have that butterfly here, either, and it’s a beauty.
Now, I don’t even know enough about butterflies to know that one might be specific to that area and it may not be elsewhere. Thank you for even that hint, Vicki.
What a treat to see some of Israel’s wildflowers!
Stunning! My favorite shot is of the buttercup with the insects.
Shabbat Shalom!
Beautiful, and yes chicory, I think. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.