When I offered to take my kids on a tiyul (hike or trip) during Chanukah vacation, my 13-year-old suggested the Kula forest across Route 444 from Shoham. He’d gone there with a group from his school to practice navigation. A 15-minute drive and an easy, pleasant walk on a cool, sunny day. Who could ask for more?
Danger: Firing Area
The first thing we noticed was this warning about a firing range. For emphasis, we heard a couple of shots. But since we were going in the opposite direction, we ignored the sign and the noise.
We parked near a picnic area and some ancient playground equipment along with one other car. I guess everyone else went to the Chanukah children’s performances.
Picnic Area in Yaar Kula
We followed this muddy road for a while, but quickly moved off to walk among the trees.
Muddy Road in Kula Forest
Mimi from Israeli Kitchen has gotten me interested in wild plant life, but I still can’t identify most plants.
Sage
Milk Thistle
This kalanit, or anemone, is hard to distinguish from pereg (poppy) or nurit (buttercup). But they blossom at different times of the year and have a few distinguishing characteristics.
Kalanit (Anemone)
This picture shows a natural, low green ground cover. You dan’t get that most of the year without a lot of water.
My daughter asked why I was taking this picture from the picnic area. I replied that unpleasant things shouldn’t always be hidden.
Now it’s time for some fauna. First, a horse galloping through the trees:
A bee drinking from a flower:
Bee Drinking from Flower
A human child we know enjoys a view from one of the many rock piles.
A caterpillar awaits rebirth. 
One of the monuments put up by donors to the forest in memory of loved ones. This one remembers husband, father and grandfather Salim Ofek, also known as Tofik. He died in 1984:
We were curious about this pit:
Eventually my son got the camera in far enough to capture a view of the bottom:
A butterfly:
Finally, a black and white beauty:
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Free and Inexpensive Family Trips by Robin
What to Do When the Elevator is Broken
Where did you go this Chanukah?
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[...] Photo essay by Mother in Israel of Kula forest [...]
The plant that is under the word Sage is called milk thistle. It is a fast growing weed. If you let it grow it will grow to be up to 2 meters tall, grow thorns and a purple flower. It is very annoying to have in your yard.
We are also very interested in plants and flowers (we live in the golan) so we bought a book about native plants, It is very interesting during the spring.
Thank you, Rachel! Is that the same as blessed thistle?
Milk thistle leaves are edible, high in minerals and good for sluggish liver function. You have to pick them when they’re still small, cut the prickly edges off with scissors, and chuck them into soup. The flavor isn’t particularly strong; it blends in with anything. The seeds on the purple thistle head had a big fashionable phase as an herbal remedy, but their value stays the same whether in fashion or not: they are excellent for making mother’s milk and for supporting liver function.
Labor-intensive to work with, though – you have to wait till the flower head is dry, shake the seeds out, and crush them in a blender with a little water, or in a mortar & pestle. Then make an infusion with boiling water, let it sit at least 1/2 hour, strain, and drink. Most people find it easier to just buy a preparation at the health food store.
Thank you, Mimi for the detailed explanation.
I love the photos – looking forward to returning to such adventures. Stark reminder of our differences in weather.
Beautiful.
Hello
Could I use your picture of the galloping horse for my environmental education geocaching project at the National Trust’s Hatfield Forest?
KInd regards
Many thanks Lizzie Bannister