Iris Fields of Tumair, Saudi Arabia

People waiting for the iris buds to open in the desert of Saudi Arabia.

Waiting for the iris buds to open is serious business. The pictures below shows the iris fields main event, the opening of the buds

Flowers in the desert?

Many years ago farmers built small retaining walls across the narrow wadi (valley) beds which cut into the escarpment to catch the silt washed down by the spring rains. The farms are now abandoned but the rich soil is perfect for lush growth of flowers during the spring.

Witness the irises come alive with color

It is fascinating to wait and watch the iris buds open. This happens simultaneously around 1 PM on a sunny day and later on cloudy days.

I found one!

The year the pictures to the right were taken had been very dry even for Saudi Arabia. This meant that the iris plants were few and far between. It was funny to watch about 25 people bending over trying to find a little iris plant to watch with cameras ready to capture the moment the iris buds open.

The Iris Fields of Tumair

In the spring the desert of Saudi Arabia near Tumair comes alive with color.

Flowers in the desert?

Witness the irises come alive with color

I found one!