Toward the end of spring in Israel, the heat begins to change the color of the land from the lush green of spring to the familiar yellow and brown colors of summer. With the heat, the flowers start to disappear from the landscape. However, there are still a few of them decorating the last remnants of spring. To augment the dwindling color in our surroundings, we look to the color from our little friends of flight. Small and beautiful insects such as the butterfly provide color during this seasonal transition. Most of the butterflies have large scaly wings that take them gracefully into the air. Some of them fly in slow movements and even glide sometimes, so it is relatively easy to follow them in flight, while others move fast and fly in a zigzag movement, so they are lost to us after only a second or two. In any case, the best way to watch the butterflies and enjoy their shapes and colors is while they are resting on a flower, leaf, stem or stone. Of course you will have to work a bit to observe the butterfly at rest, since it is very sensitive to movement. Like every creature, it is vulnerable and afraid of predators. To the butterfly every sudden movement is a good reason to escape from potential danger. To observe from close range, you will have to approach very slowly and carefully, or consider the much easier alternative of watching the resting butterfly from a distance with binoculars. In this way, you will not spend the time and effort to get close to it and risk scaring it off. Also you will have more time to enjoy the confident undisturbed butterfly. Continue to enjoy the last colors of spring with fewer flowers on the ground but many “flying flowers” in the air. They are no less colorful and even more interesting.
(photo credit: ITSIK MAROM)