The Lesson of Nature: Northern Wheatear, Mushrooms & Autumn Flowers
- Ofra Morashty
- Oct 26
- 2 min read
Experiencing nature photography in Israel often surprises even the most seasoned photographers. What started as a routine car check-up became a journey full of unexpected lessons about patience, timing, and the fleeting beauty of the wild.
My annual car check-up in Yishpro is the perfect excuse to escape for an hour or two of quiet. Across the street lies the magical ruins of Hurbat Nekhes (Nechus Hurban), a place I rarely explore but always admire. That morning, the temperature was perfect, and the world felt light and calm. Thinking that the fact that everything is still dry and it hasn't rained yet, would leave little to photograph, I left my camera at home. That was my first mistake.
Discovering Hidden Wildflowers
Taking a side trail I hadn’t explored, I stumbled upon a gentle surprise: the delicate small purple flowers of Muscari Parviflorum in bloom. Their tiny petals, when observed closely, revealed a hidden world of color and detail. Further along, I found autumn squill flowers, tiny pink specks dotting the dry landscape. These wildflowers proved that nature often has surprises in the most unexpected places.
The Magical Mushrooms
The area is also home to grazing cows, creating a “minefield” of cow droppings. Among them, I discovered small mushrooms growing directly from the manure—proof that life bursts forth even in the harshest conditions. I photographed them with my phone, zooming and cropping to capture these tiny miracles. My heart knew: leaving the camera at home was a mistake. I decided to return the next day, fully prepared.
A Rewarding Encounter: The Northern Wheatear
The next morning, armed with my camera, I was greeted by a Northern Wheatear. She hopped along the nearby rocks, wagging her tail carefree. Her striking white “eyeliner” was perfectly visible, making her a natural model. She stayed close enough for detailed shots, rewarding my patience and teaching me that the best moments come when you respect nature’s pace.
Nature Teaches Patience
Continuing along the trail, I found the Muscari Parviflorum and autumn squill in abundance. But the mushrooms were gone. Scanning each cow pat carefully, I realized the greatest lesson of nature: you cannot schedule its beauty. One day it is there; the next, it vanishes. Nature does not wait, and capturing its fleeting moments requires awareness and presence.
Even without the mushrooms, the second hike was a gift. The Northern Wheatear confirmed that yesterday’s mistake was forgiven, provided I learned the lesson. Each encounter—the flowers, the bird, and the ephemeral mushrooms—reminded me of the delicate, unpredictable magic of wildflowers and wildlife in Israel.
Conclusion
For anyone interested in nature photography in Israel, this experience is a gentle reminder: always bring your camera, explore beyond familiar trails, and respect the timing of nature. Every moment is unique, every bloom and bird fleeting, and every small miracle worth observing.
you can visit our nature photography art collection at: https://www.o-natureobserver.com/photography
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