Palmyra, #Syria on my first visit there in the 90s during more peaceful times. As the country emerges from years of civil war, sanctions, ISIS and a brutal, mafia-style dictatorship, there is a chance, further down the road, it can once again be a fabulous tourist destination.

Plain Tiger butterfly on the edge of the Negev Desert last week.

The Sparrowhawk: an awesome predator.

Hoopoe in the Negev Desert this morning, an iconic bird familiar to everyone here in the Middle East.

Dawn on the edge of the Negev Desert today

Last day in the Middle East for me on this trip

The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem today:

Making a new friend in Bethlehem today

Storm skies in Jerusalem

Absolutely miserable weather in the Middle East at the moment. Hardly recognise Jerusalem through a rainy car window.

Plain Tiger butterfly, Jordan Valley

Palestine Sunbird, Jerusalem

Mornings in the Middle East

Lake Como, Italy

On Lake Como last week. Love the light at this time of year.

Little Egret in Jerusalem today. They seem to be everywhere these days but still such an attractive species.

Something to brighten your day: a Double-collared Sunbird near Mount Kenya.

One from earlier this year. Hot day in the Jordan Valley:

Drab insect, pretty flower: a Mallow Skipper butterfly (not a moth!) on Rose geranium today in the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens

Flying low over the Alps down to Milan last week

Good evening from Jerusalem

One of the more colourful birds here in the Middle East: a White-breasted Kingfisher

Late to the party, I’ve just joined this platform. Hearing good things about it. (This is Frank Gardner, BBC correspondent, author and nature photographer).