Touring Israel with a tour guide

The Asian Tiger Mosquito Israel is home to approximately 22,500 insect species; prevalent at this time of year, in hot, humid regions & near stagnant water, we find the Asian Tiger mosquito, which is monitored for carrying the West Nile virus. This invasive mosquito has invaded at least 45 countries worldwide; Originally from Southeast Asia, it's now spreading across Europe & beyond. Females lay 40-90 eggs/cycle on container walls JUST above water level - they need just ONE OUNCE of water to breed! When rain raises the water, larvae hatch Eggs can survive dry conditions for up to 8 months & withstand winter Males form "leks" (mating swarms) a few feet off the ground, using feathery antennae to hear females' whine. Mating lasts just 5-15 seconds in flight Females can mate up to 4 times in their lifetime & produce several egg batches. They need blood meals to develop eggs & bite aggressively during DAYLIGHT hours, especially dawn (6-8am) & late a...

Orchis punctulata Did you know that Israel is home to over 30 native species of wild terrestrial orchids - and a thriving commercial orchid industry. 🌿 While local wild varieties grow naturally in forests & nature reserves, some are incredibly rare. A few, such as the Lady's Slipper orchid pictured below (Cypripedium calceolus), are legally protected & can only be admired in situ. What's less known? Israel is also a significant exporter of hybrid Phalaenopsis orchids, grown in state-of-the-art greenhouses using recycled water & climate control technology - a far cry from the fragile blooms you might expect from such a dry climate. So whether you're spotting a wild Ophrys in a Galilee woodland or buying a potted orchid from a local nursery, you're witnessing a surprising floral success story. #OrchidsOfIsrael #WildOrchids #NativeFlora #CommercialOrchids #IsraelNature #BotanyLovers #Phalaenopsis #ConservationThroughCultivation #FloraOfTheMiddleEast #...

Wild boar in Israel 🐗 (Sus scrofa) Often spotted in the oak woodlands around the Golan & Galilee, the Carmel Mountains & the city of Haifa. In recent years, they've become a major urban fixture - & problem - wandering into residential areas to forage for food. 🌿 Eating habits Wild boar are omnivores who forage by rooting in soil with their strong snouts, eating: Roots, bulbs & tubers Fruits, acorns & agricultural crops Insects, worms & small invertebrates Occasionally small animals or carrion They play an important ecological role in turning soil over - but can also cause damage in agricultural areas. 🌙 Behaviour Mostly active at night (nocturnal) Live in groups called “sounders” (usually females & young) Adult males are often solitary Excellent swimmers & surprisingly agile in dense terrain 🐾 Breeding Can breed year-round in favourable conditions Peak births often follow rainy seasons when food is abundant Gestation is about 115 days Litters usu...

Ninety years ago, this spot pictured top, was an open, quiet space next to the Allenby Monument. Today, it’s unrecognisable - & absolutely central to Jerusalem.  The building on the left still partly stands, & its missing half will soon be faithfully reconstructed as part of a modern tower above it.  Around it now buzzes the central station, a vast public transport network, light rail, a high-speed line to the city’s edge, & the International Convention Centre.  An incredible blend of then & now, past & future. hashtag # ThenAndNow hashtag # Jerusalem hashtag # UrbanDevelopment hashtag # PastAndFuture hashtag # HeritageMeetsInnovation hashtag # CityTransformation hashtag # Architecture hashtag # LightRail hashtag # PublicTransport hashtag # ImagineIsraelTours hashtag # SimonOsterTourGuide photo credit: Yair Golian At Imagine Israel Tours we love to notice not just the big moments of history, but also the small details that make Israel unique...