[fragman]

We had a short holiday in the Ramon Reserve, the largest one in Israel. It incluides the Negev Highlands and the Ramon Crater.
I was delighted to see lots of Urginea maritima blooming in the cliffs, Colchicum tunicatum in small loessial washes, Dianthus sinaicus in larger wadis, impressive Pistacia atlantica trees and even a tuumbling Salvia palaestina plant.

[pamela]

Wonderful pictures,  is the crater live or dormant? ....and which Salvia,Ori?

[fragman]

The crater is dry, but near water you can find some plants, I did not go there this time.
The sage is Salvia palaestina, this is a special desert disjunct populations with white flowers, see attached picture from spring.

[hilberry]

Lovely photos!  Thanks Ori!

[Alisdair]

Great pictures, Ori, thanks! That must be the most dramatic urginea picture I've ever seen... And what an interesting Dianthus.

[fragman]

Thanks, you can understand what a feeling it was to see hunderds of Urgineas on the cliff of the crater at 7AM...

[Rafa]

Beautiful capture as well, the ants drinking in the colchicum!