Synchronous Fireflies

There are many beautiful natural phenomena. I’ve seen beautiful places and incredible events put on by nature all over the world but I don’t think I’ve ever been as stunned by anything more than the synchronous fireflies. 
    My first experience with them seems like fate. With nothing to do on a warm summer night, my friend mentioned she had always wanted to see them and had heard that they were at Joyce Kilmer forest. And because we were young and free we thought driving 45 mins away at 9 pm at night to maybe see these fabled fireflies was a fantastic idea. 
       We did it all wrong. I know that now. It was at the end of the forecasted peak, and they are usually only active for a couple hours at dark.
    But fate lit the night forest around us in a stunning display of the ancient firefly mating ritual that only happens in a few places in the world. 
    I confess, it’s never been quite as magical as that first time. There was only one other car there that night, and we wandered around marveling at the light show we were honored enough to witness. 
   Until recently, people thought one of the only places to witness them was at Elkmont. The demand is so great there is now a lottery in place to get a chance to view them. But Joyce Kilmer, home to large trees and picturesque trails is becoming a new destination to view them. 

This year I caught them pretty well. It’s the second best experience that I’ve ever had watching them. The parking lot was full but part of the magic I’ve discovered is sharing this experience with others in a pitch black parking lot. Hearing other people exclaim with awe and wonder, and trying to not annoy my husband with my loud gasps, makes it just another reason that I love living here.

And I got a new first, as we spotted the blue ghost fireflies appearing to lazily float above the ground. A solid blue light floating in the darkness. 

And like all first, though I know it’ll be hard to replicate, I’ll never stop trying to be just as amazed with the beauty that surrounds me.