Spring is in the air... Eshkol National Park An oasis in the Negev Desert Eshkol National Park is a 15-minute drive from Ofakim. From Gilat junction, go east on Route 241. The Park has been named after Levi Eshkol Hebrew (October 25, 1895 - February 26, 1969),who served as the third Prime Minister of Israel from 1963 until his death from a heart attack in 1969. In the park is a route, the Besor Route,an eighteen-kilometer-long dirt road with beautiful views, an old railway bridge, Tel Sharuhen, En Sharuhen (a natural pool), and a suspension bridge. The route ends at Ze'elim junction. These photos were taken March 3, 2007 Calendula arvensis, Field Marigold, צפורני-חתול מצויות Crepis sancta, Holy's Hawk's-beard, ניסנית דו קרנית Lycium shawii, Arabian Boxthorn, אטד ערבי Ophrys, Bee-Orchid, דבורנית Pallenis spinosa, Spiny Starwort, מוצית קוצנית Picris asplenioides, Oxtongue, מררית שסועה Salvia lanigera, Wooly Sage, מרווה צמירה Tamarix, Tamarisk, אשל Tamarix, Tamarisk, אשל Eshkol National Park, Tel Sharuhen Tulipa systola, Desert Tulip, צבעוני המדבר Plantago lanceolata, Ribwort Plantain, לחך איזמלני