• The wadi bloom is a rare but regular occurrence. Every so often, after a season or two of heavy and well-timed rains, the Ru’us Al Jibal mountains reveal a technicolor display.
    The wadi bloom is a rare but regular occurrence. Every so often, after a season or two of heavy and well-timed rains, the Ru’us Al Jibal mountains reveal a technicolor display.
  • Painted Lady butterflies are now easy for visitors to spot.
    Painted Lady butterflies are now easy for visitors to spot.
  • A delicate blue pimpernel flower rises from the rocks.
    A delicate blue pimpernel flower rises from the rocks.
  • Rainfall awakens wildflower seeds that lay dormant for years, even decades. The mountains average 190 millimetres of rain a year, but this varies from 80mm to 450mm.
    Rainfall awakens wildflower seeds that lay dormant for years, even decades. The mountains average 190 millimetres of rain a year, but this varies from 80mm to 450mm.
  • The Ru’us Al Jibal's plant life bears more resemblance to that of the Iranian plateau than anything in Arabia — fields of lilies, pale pink almond blossoms and forget-me-nots in hues of red, yellow and deep blue.
    The Ru’us Al Jibal's plant life bears more resemblance to that of the Iranian plateau than anything in Arabia — fields of lilies, pale pink almond blossoms and forget-me-nots in hues of red, yellow and deep blue.
  • Barbara Couldrey has climbed the Ru'us Al Jibal mountains for decades and says this ist he most vibrant bloom of flora for the region in years.
    Barbara Couldrey has climbed the Ru'us Al Jibal mountains for decades and says this ist he most vibrant bloom of flora for the region in years.

In pictures: Wadi Shahah basin in bloom

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Every so often, after a season or two of heavy and well-timed rains, the Ru’us Al Jibal mountains in Ras Al Khaimah reveal a technicolor display of geraniums, poppies, thick grasses and cascading vines. Anna Zacharias marvels at the beauty of the place. All photos by Satish Kumar / The National

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