Two weeks ago we had just arrived in Tiberias and were practising some of the sung worship in the dark by the Galilee Lake - not the most auspicious start!

Today I'm going to share some of the natural delights we saw.

The bird is an egret - we saw so many in Galilee. When I took this shot it was extremely hot and this bird was gasping - a bit like a dog pants!

We saw and heard some beautiful birds... kingfishers, doves, multi coloured crows and even the odd stork. When we visited Acre the egrets were quick to alight on the fishing boats that docked, just in case there were rich pickings to be had.

In the middle - if you look very carefully you will notice a bright blue dragonfly - and they now have a really special significance for me, since we've moved to Dragonfly Lane. These delicate insects darted across the water, flashes of electric blue lighting up the streams that they hovered over.

The top photo is of a mustard tree! The trees we saw were ubiquitous in some areas growing out of every nook and cranny. The tallest I saw was probably about 7 or 8 feet tall. However, when you look at the minuscule size of the seed it is quite miraculous - but probably explains why the grow out of the smallest crack in the rocks. A fabulous reminder of the parable.

We saw so much more. Stunning oleanders and fabulous bougainvilleas. The colours assailed our senses as we drove through the countryside. By the shore of Lake Galilee we saw a family of small rodents, not unlike guinea pigs. A notice informed us they were "quoted" in the Bible, I think they meant referred to...

As we moved to the desert areas, the Judean desert is truly sparse in vegetation, I was reminded of so much more that we learn about - not least all the prophets and eventually Jesus himself who spent time in the wilderness. How did they survive if it wasn't for divine intervention? Remember Elijah, who wandered off into the desert to die but God kept sending/providing bread and water for him.

We saw sheep and goats, as well as camels who clearly managed to find sufficient nutrients to survive but it really did stretch belief! The vegetation was so harsh and often spiky.

What an incredible land...