We have quite a few farming areas in the outskirts of Dubai, like Al Awir, Al Lehbab, Al Khawaneej, Al Ruwaiya and Al Lisaili.

But the one very close to all our hearts is the Rhodes Farm, which birdwatchers call ‘Pivot Field’.

Other than oases these farms are the best places for local flora and fauna, which flourishes mainly because these fields are irrigated all year round.

Those of us living in the UAE have been enjoying borrowed time away from the typical summer blasts these past few months.

Being a nature lover, the weather we have been enjoying tweaked my interest to keep an eye out for some unusual flora that bloom given a few drops of rain in the desert, but normally hibernate giving the illusion of invisibility. These are the iris, gladiolus or the lilies which make for a rare sight in the UAE, if they ever appear!

I set out one weekend to look for a rare species of iris that grows in the upper plateau of the Ru’us Al Jibal Mountain, north of Dibba.

The UAE is a unique desert country. To avoid the extreme heat of summer that lasts more than half of the year, we try to remain indoors in air-conditioned rooms.

The other half of the year we try to enjoy the hostile environment of the UAE by visiting coastal areas and public parks, going on desert safaris and wadi-bashing.

We usually do not expect to encounter any wildlife because we have a preconceived idea that a desert or semi-desert is a dry place so far as biodiversity is concerned.