Julian Alper, at The Blogs

Dec 30, 2023, 11:40 PM

Nature of Israel 2023

White-throated kingfisher in Tel Aviv [Julian Alper]

The year 2023 will always be remembered for the tragic events of October 7th, in which 1,200 citizens were mercilessly butchered in a monstrous act of barbarism and hundreds more were kidnapped and injured. I pray for the safe...

Dec 18, 2023, 12:57 AM

Ramat Hanadiv Nature Park/Gardens – Photo Essay

If you're anything like me and are spending much of your time flitting between social media and Times of Israel news reports about the war, you could probably do with getting out and about for some rest and respite....

Sep 26, 2023, 8:18 PM

Purple Gilley Whompers and Other Handsaws (Herons)

Living so close to the Kinneret (the Sea of Galilee) and the Hula Valley, I get plenty of opportunities to observe herons. I regularly see grey herons, squacco herons, night herons and purple herons, and that’s not to mention...

Aug 28, 2023, 5:50 PM

Sparrows – The Tweet on the Street

Sparrow sitting on the boot of the author's wife [Julian Alper]

This week, the Jerusalem Post reported on the decline of house sparrows, that are not seen in the streets of Israel nearly so frequently as they were in the past (see Jerusalem Post Article). Research suggests that food sources...

Jul 29, 2023, 11:50 PM

Woodpeckers – The Ultimate Headbangers

Syrian Woodpecker - Gazelle Valley, Jerusalem [JA]

It is a sad fact that many professional soccer players from the 1960s and 1970s are suffering with or died from dementia. At least five of the 11 1966 England World Cup winners suffered. Jack Charlton, Nobby Stiles, Ray...

Jun 28, 2023, 8:42 PM

Water Buffalo in Israel

Have you heard of water buffalo in Israel? There’s a herd of water buffalo at the Hula Reserve in the North of Israel and another herd at Tel Afek (near Haifa) - so, should you encounter a gruff-looking cow...

May 22, 2023, 12:55 PM

Photo Essay – Nature of Tiberias

Tiberias - in love with the Kinneret [JA]

We feel truly blessed to live in Tiberias. From our balcony, we look out over the lake, the Kinneret (also known as the Sea of Galilee), and on a clear day we see Mount Hermon, snow-capped in the winter....

Apr 26, 2023, 3:50 PM

The Swallowtail

Swallowtail on Mount Arbel [Julian Alper]

I watch and I wait. Vanessa, the painted lady, flits, swiftly, from flower to flower. I stand, waiting, camera at the ready, scanning the surrounding area, As butterflies nonchalantly flutter by. The tiniest flutter can be so effective, To change direction, and so avoid...

Mar 22, 2023, 9:19 PM

For the Pleasure of Mankind – Sunbirds

The beginning of the month of Nissan (this year corresponding to 23rd March 2023) marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. For many hundreds of years, Jews have made a special declaration of thanks and praise...

Feb 26, 2023, 4:03 AM

Poem – Snaky

Snaky I Strolling in the woods late in the day, The sun was setting, Our shadows were lengthening, And there, by the side of the path A snake, still as could be. Was it alive? Or was it dead? Was it asleep? Or just petrified and playing dead? We...

About Me

I am an Amateur Photographer living in Tiberias, having made Aliyah from Manchester, UK. When not out and about with my camera I work as a Hi Tech Consultant. This is my website - https://natureofisrael.blogspot.com/. You can see my contributions to Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:JulianAlper. And this is my YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/JulianAlper1

Contact Me