What a flight! Stunning pictures capture flock of graceful cranes as they take a break on Israeli lake during gruelling journey to Africa This is the breath-taking sight of thousands of cranes stopping off at a lake during a mass migration across the continent. The amazing images were taken by Liron Hamelnick, 29, at Hula Lake Park in north Israel. The birds pass through the Israeli skies twice a year and use the lake as a stopover while travelling between Europe and Africa. Stopover: These stunning pictures were taken by photographer Liron Hamelnick, 29, at Hula Lake Park in north Israel Stunning sight: The photographer set out at 2am in order to get to the lake - known as Agamon HaHula in Hebrew - in time for the beautiful sunrise The photographer set out at 2am in order to get to the lake - known as Agamon HaHula in Hebrew - in time for the beautiful sunrise. Mr Hamelnick said: 'It was two years ago in Hahula Lake placed in the north of Israel. The place is considered one of the world's most important bird-watching sites and includes a beautiful lake at the centre of the site. Most of birds at the lake are migrating and nesting birds which pass through the skies of Israel twice a year, during the fall and spring, and take a rest to refill the energy required for their voyage. 'Two tractor-drawn safari wagons passed through the birds' feeding stations where food is spread out across the field. Cranes pass through the Israeli skies twice a year and use the lake as a stopover while travelling between Europe and Africa This is the breath-taking sight of thousands of cranes stopping off at a lake during a mass migration across the continent Mr Hamelnick said: 'It was two years ago in Hahula Lake placed in the north of Israel' One of the pictures is an event to remember. It was at the end of two hours of taking pictures of the birds in different situations when all of a sudden we heard a strong and known noise of cranes. It took couple of seconds while flock of cranes flying above us. It was an amazing and unique occasion. Even the usual tractor driver was really shocked. You don't have time to switch to the right lens or to think a lot about the frame. I succeeded to take couple of pictures. One of them also includes the cranes who were still on the ground and the mirror of the flying birds. Spectacular: The cranes at sunset in Hula Lake Park in north Israel The cranes were stopping off at a lake during a mass migration across the continent