When I was in Israel last fall, the thing that came as the biggest surprise was the diversity of the landscape.
And by diversity, I mean the number of deserts and their varying landscapes.
I don’t know about you, but I thought a desert was a desert was a desert. I didn’t know there could be so many different kinds of deserts, especially in a country so small.
Yet, we saw just about every desert terrain you could imagine: flat, sandy expanses ridden with dunes; rugged, rocky cliffs; dirty brush that dropped into steep canyons.
The latter was what we discovered in Ein Avdat National Park, a collection of limestone canyons, which could have easily been situated in the American Southwest.
Tell me this isn’t reminiscent of Utah or Arizona?
It’s actually the ideal spot for the adventurous traveler. There are trails that take you from the summit down to the valley.
A watering hole at the base if you’re brave enough to dip into the chilly temps.
Wildlife, like families of ibex, that just breeze past you as if you didn’t exist.
There was also so much to climb, which for anyone of monkey descent like myself is always a bonus.
And some of the most amazing sunset views over the Ramon Crater you ever did see.
*All photos taken with a Canon T1i, 17-85mm lens, housed in a LowePro SlingShot.
**For more Photo Friday fun, visit Delicious Baby.
Oh lovely, and it really didn’t think Israel had such varying desert landscapes. The ibex out there don’t think we humans are cool enough for them, eh?
“I” really didn’t think, not “it!” Disappearing before I discover a string of typo’s!
That is a lot of barren land right there…
What a gorgeous country – and I had no idea it had such variation in its small amount of space!
That canyon really does remind me of home (Arizona)!
I love the watering hole at the bottom, also reminiscent of canyons in Az as well.
Great diversity, like deserts seen around the world instead of in just one country. That first shot looks like a road to nowhere. I am much reminded of AZ. Know what you mean about rocks beckoning to be climbed.
Gorgeous pics! I had no idea there was such a range in desert scenery…never really been a desert setting before but hoping to make it to Israel one day and even more so after seeing this pics.
Too true. Some of the photos remind me of the Moroccan Sahara, others of Utah, like you said. I had no idea they had ibex in Israel! The last shot is my fave.
OooOH. Isn’t that watering hole where Noah washed his panties?
Great photos. I especially love the second to last one. It looks like an ad right out of an adventure magazine!
The most beautiful place I’ve ever been were the deserts in Bolivia. I can’t wait to blog about it one day. I too was amazed at how different the terrain was along the way. These pics are gorgeous, as are you in them!!!
I kind of thought that about deserts too, what a cool place!
stunning vistas!
Worth mentioning that it’s only the South of Israel that is actually a desert (with its many faces). The North and center provide a totally different scenery, with forests and Mediterranean beaches.
Fantastic shots! That last one is my favorite.