Wildlife, Hiking, and Gardening in Israel

     Perhaps in an unconscious tribute to twenty years living in Israel I recently began three new ventures:
     First, I started a column which runs monthly in the Jerusalem Post under the heading “Wild Israel” about the common wild life that live here in Israel. How many people know that in most cities and particularly in Haifa, a much maligned and misunderstood city of more than a quarter of a million people, there live a plethora of wild animals undisturbed by our routines and usually not disturbing us - at least not much? In the twenty years that I’ve lived in Haifa I’ve had encounters with jackals, wild boar, fruit bats, chameleons, mongoose, and hedge hogs all right in the middle of the city. I’ve seen the grizzly yet fascinating interactions between the Tarantula Wasp and its spider prey right outside the door of our apartment. I have photos and video clips of fearless little hedgehogs strolling past without paying us any heed, and of carpenter bees landing on passion fruit flower “landing pads” that look like they come straight out of a science fiction movie. These are the other inhabitants of our country, and it is a privilege to live amongst them. I want others to know these creatures, and get the pleasure in sharing our land with them, that I do. Expanded less formal versions of these Jerusalem Post wildlife articles will appear in the Wild Israel section.

Second, I have decided to hike the 900 kilometer Israel National Trail before I grow too old to manage it. I have wanted to take a long hike for a long time, but I always thought I would have to go to the US to find a good trail. Then by accident I came upon Jacob Saar's website about the Israel Trail and I was hooked. The Israel Trail is close to home and accessible by bus. My dream has now become a plan: I will walk the entire length of Israel and as I do I will write about the physical Israel I traverse in the Israel Trail section.

Third, I started gardening using the water from my laundry to water the garden. It is hard to exaggerate how much pure pleasure my garden has provided in the few months since I started or how much glee I get from the fact that I haven’t used one drop of water that wasn’t going to go sailing down the drain anyway. I have fresh salads, snap dragon peas, kale, hot peppers, scallions, carrots all growing and providing tasty food, beauty and comfort. Take a look at my garden notes in the gardening section. 

In addition I have placed the first pages of my papers and my resume online in the biology section. If you would like any of these papers please email a request and I will be happy to attach a copy. In the near future I plan to organize my unpublished data on snapping shrimp behavior and on the fauna and flora off the coast of Haifa and also make that available online.

I am convinced that by sharing my deep connection with the physical land itself that I can help myself and others to keep our morale high so we can meet the challenges ahead of us.