Monday, March 15, 2010

Making the desert bloom

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This was the scene around our hotel's delightful outdoor patio (delightful in March anyway, I'm sure in the scorching heat of high summer it's decidedly less appealing).
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What makes it all the more remarkable is that just a few feet away everything looks like this
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Click either photo to enlarge
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More touches of red can be found here.
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47 comments:

Mojo said...

truly astonishing Robin, and more so for the landscape it's growing in. I love both photos myself.

maryt/theteach said...

Those flowers are beautiful, Robin. What are they? Hope you're enjoying, or enjoyed your vacation! :)

Anonymous said...

I love those flowers. Do you know what they're called? I'm not too knowledgable on plant life (or very good at keeping them alive) so it's likely they're some common flower that everyone know's the name of, everyone except me.

Robin said...

Someone said they were snapdragons, but I'm even more clueless about flowers than you are. Anyone more knowledgeable care to enlighten us? Are they in fact snapdragons?

quilly said...

Beauty of the eyes. Rest for the spirit. Laughter for the soul. Perfection.

Amanda Moore said...

Wow what an explosion of color Robin just wonderful!

Mommy, I'm Home said...

Beautiful flowers! Everything is still brown and dead looking here.

Coffeeveggie addict. said...

so beautiful...haven't seen like this one before..

Felisol said...

What stunning contradictions.
Doesn't Isaiah say something about making the desert into blooming gardens?
A generation ago I participated in a project, "Planting a forest in Israel." Sadly I think it burned a while ago.

Dina said...

Welcome back. Sounds like you had a great time away.

Ralph said...

What lovely lobby, I have never seen such lovely flowers in a lobby - better than marble says I! That is an impressive piedmont of rock. It has a rugged beauty, and with a careful viewing, red highlights do appear. The blend of rugged and beautiful is wonderful here!

nonizamboni said...

Gorgeous snapdragons! Big smiles here.
Your spa vacation sounds wonderful.

lynda Howells said...

love back a happy memory these dragonsnaps. Usewd to love playing with these when l was child! thanks for bringing Robinxxgood ruby red imgex

Frida said...

Gorgeous colors!

Dianne said...

I love how tall these flowers stand
and the colors are amazing!!

Sandy said...

Snapdragons, definitely snaps (or at least they are in this part of the world.) What gorgeous colors!

Kim, USA said...

Oh wow really?? Hmmm seem like both picture are two way opposite to each other. The flowers are so pretty can't wait to see them here this coming Spring and Summer. Thanks for sharing!

RT~What a deal

Eaton Bennett aka Berenice Albrecht said...

Hi Robin, gorgeous photos and thos flowers look like Snapdragons, some of the best I have ever seen. Both photos make me want to visit again. :))

regards,
Eaton.

Carolyn Ford said...

It is amazing how flowers can bloom in such harsh conditions with a little TLC! The snapdragons certainly cheer up the landscape...I am a BIG fan of the desert! Beautiful captures!

Carletta said...

What a contrast between the two images. The flowers are stunning and just as stunning are the cliffs rising to the sky. Both beautiful to the eyes in their own unique way.
Lovely post Robin!

Jama said...

Stunning colours!

Regina said...

Splendid and delightful!

Maria said...

Stunning colors and a beautiful view:
Happy RT

Jientje said...

That's amazing! Both are great pictures and I love the contrast!

Auntie E said...

Love the flowers and their colors. Planning a trip soon. Happy RT
My Ruby Link for you

This Eclectic Life said...

The snapdragons are delightful! Amazing that they are so lush right next to the desert. Texas is hot, but not that hot ... and still I can't get snapdragons to flourish.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful!

My Ruby Tuesday

Daryl said...

These photos are wonderful! Aside from the beauty of the composition; the contrast of the lush vibrant flowers to the stark landscape of the desert and that mountain is palpable and illustrate what makes Israel so photogenic

moneythoughts said...

The Israeli can grow anything in the desert, except perhaps peace. Amazing what a little water will do.

crederae said...

this is a beautiful juxtaposition of the two photos the effluorescence and the stark nakedness of the landscape.

I saw Dina's beautiful post about the synagogue and I read about the uprising over it.I am worried about her I hope she posts soon.

Stephanie V said...

It's unusual to find such a huge swath of snapdragons. Even more unusual to find them right beside what looks like a desert. Beautiful colors!

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Very beautiful flower pic !It's amazing they are in such a location .
Blessings,
~Myrna

Dina said...

Robin, now I see how our kids feel when we worry too much. I have contacted Crederae to say I am fine.

Marice said...

such a contrast! :) love both photos :) what do you call those plants?

u may view mine here

kayerj said...

how pretty is that?

Patti said...

What bright and beautiful colors! I also thought they were snap dragons; I wasn't 100 percent sure.

Amazing that the desert is just across the way. It is such a contrast!
The rock does have a bit of pink tinge to it, if I squint my eyes (referring to Ralph's comment)

Happy Ruby Tuesday Robin.

♥ Kathy said...

Great pictures! Happy Ruby Tuesday!

Tammy said...

As always, gorgeous photos!

Anonymous said...

Those are just beautiful photos. I love them :)

shiborigirl said...

Robin, your photos are so striking.

I think there is ultimate luxury in such a contrast as you show in these two photos. When the searing beauty of the desert becomes too much, you know all you have to do is walk through that garden for a taste of something more lush.

Beautiful!

Kate

Jew Wishes said...

Indeed they are snapdragons, and those colors just pop out at us! How beautiful, reminding us that spring blossoms are about to explode.

Snooze said...

absolutely beautiful flowers ... the contrast with the desert cliffs is amazing.

Matty said...

What a beautiful shot you took. I wouldn't have passed up taking that picture either. And oh my, the view you have there. Awesome.

Small Reflections said...

Lovely ;-)
Isn't it amazing what a little water will do.
Hugs and blessings,

Leora said...

Wow, what fabulous snapdragons. The second picture is more what I would expect.

Patty Reiser said...

The flowers are beautiful. Looking at these photos I feel like I am driving around Palm Springs, California. When in reality we are in separate countries.

Heather! said...

Wow! Love these pics! And I read in a comment somewhere you're coming to Ireland soon. Enjoy! Hope you get at least a short bit of time to get out of Dublin. :)

Safe travels!