Duckboats.net at the Sea of Galilee in Israel

L

Larry Eckart

Well-known member
Guys,
My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Israel. Standard fare is a boat trip on the Sea of Galilee and viewing the Jordan River. The link below takes you to some photos I took. An explanation is included.

You might be interested to know that Israel is a favorite wintering spot for ducks, I suppose from both Europe and Russia. I saw both Bluebills and Canvasbacks but since I was with a tour, the group was not interested in taking the time for me to get close enough for good photos.

You will all appreciate the altar of the Roman Catholic Church at Mandala in one photo. I would have liked to transport it to my own church altar.

The link below takes you to my Flickr site. Just highlight it, right click and go to the address. If you click on "show more" on the first photo you will get an explanation of the photos.

Blessings,
Larry

https://www.flickr.com/gp/riverlarry2/H1GT3E
 
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Pretty cool trip!

Are you sure they were cans? Cans are only found in North America.
Could have been common pochards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_pochard
 
Carl,
I trust your bird expertise more than mine. Mmm. Pochards, eh? That's the trouble with not getting close enough for a photo. We could mutually examine the evidence. But they sure looked like cans.

Larry
 
Carl,
I followed your link to pics of pochards. From a long distance, even with binoculars, they could be mistaken for cans.

Thanks for straightening me out.

Larry
 
Hi Larry -

I've been fortunate to have visited Israel as well. One of my projects was with a company located in Jerusalem. We were funding some research and I was the lucky contact between the two companies.

I spent a lot of time there and spent it with local citizens. I was invited to many family events and participated in their version of our Memorial Day which is way different than how we celebrate Memorial Day. The reverence paid to the fallen was something to witness.

Did the Dead Sea stuff on the way to Gallilee where the manufacturing was proposed. Made many stops from Jerusalem to up north. Picked up an army soldier on the way back. Asked if I could shoot his rifle - I couldn't.

A couple of things really made an impression on me. The distance between major historical biblical references is nothing. Used to believe Jerusalem to Jesus birthplace was a long ways and I think you can walk between the two in no time. I also believe that the Jewish people want peace, meaningful lasting peace. As here, the politicians don't preach what the majority of of people believe and think is right. I also leaned the the peace process, and what it means revolves around water. I heard, but never researched it much, that much of the land wanted by the Palestinians would control Israels access to safe water. And as you learn when spending time is that water truly is life in that part of the world.

I look forward to seeing your pictures Larry. Thanks for bringing back many fmemories me memories.

And some useful advice. I was whisked out of Israel once by the company because of a perceived security risk. Don't ever have a driver take your bags from the car to the baggage place. When I was going through the intensive screening to get into the airport I was asked where my bags were. I looked around and when I didn't see them I said "I don't know". Way wrong answer. Got me some extra special screening immediately after that utterance. Not Steve Sutton extra special screeing he had at a border crossing but very uncomfortable.

Mark
 
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