Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Fireflies and other creatures


The asclepias are buzzing. I guess soon we should start looking for caterpillars if we want to bring them in to examine like last year. Lots of pretty butterflies abound. Since I've decided to become a butterfly expert (well, the idea is there, the execution of the plan has not yet begun), I've become less terrified of the creatures. I can even get sort of close with my camera and not have goosebumps in fear that they'll fly back at me.



Ah...fireflies. The other day, my older daughter told me that the last of the official signs of summer (pool opened, school out, etc.) have been revealed - the first firefly of the season. I thought it would be interesting to post this because I figure they must be a cool local thing, but apparently fireflies thrive in just about every country of the world (is this true??).


Ok, you may know I don't like bugs and lightning bugs are no exception. I do have to admit how incredibly neato they are though. When I was young and children played outdoors until bedtime we collected the flashing bugs - in our hands, in nets, in jars...the really brave and patient kids would have a jar full of them. Here's another "fond" memory (not really because it's just mean, ok? but I was a kid and didn't know better): smearing a bug on the cement and seeing a streak of glowing light. Just so you know, it's possible to do this on your arm or leg too!


Do you have fireflies in your area? What are your "fond" memories?





12 comments:

  1. Hi Wendy...another fab post..i always enjoy your sharings...beautiful butterfly and blooms..gorgeous!Have a beautiful week!
    Kiki

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  2. I used to catch fireflies as a child too...but now, like you, I don't like bugs/insects/anything that crawls or flies. I still think fireflies are pretty to watch, but now I am afraid of them - although I know I could squash them and they really can't do much to harm me.

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  3. Yes we have lots of them too. They are indications that an area is still free of pesticides because they cannot live in polluted surroundings. I love that last photo. Do you know what the compound giving that light is called? It is derived from Lucifer's name! haha

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  4. Loved this post! I so love fireflies ... one night at the cottage, grandboys scampered, laughing over the huge lawn catching fireflies. I had gotten them books on bugs etc. with boxes, magnifying glasses, and nets to catch/release. That night they slept with their awesome catch of fireflies flickering throughout the night in their precious boxes ... a night to remember! In the morning, we said a thankful prayer, and released!

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  5. My husband, who grew up in India, and I, who grew up in the midwestern US, found that we shared some common experiences growing up even though half a world apart. One of those things was catching fireflies and putting them in jars.

    We usually see fireflies in central Virginia by Memorial Day weekend, but last year as early as mid-May. There were dozens of them out last night.

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  6. I have not notice any fireflies in my area. But often spotted them in my parents garden. 45minutes drive from my parents home, there is this mangrove site which house so many fireflies that trees along the river lit up like Christmas tree.

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  7. Loved catching lightening bugs when I was little and I too remember one of my brother's friends smearing them on the wall for glow in the dark fun, or once in a while smushing one when you closed the top of the jar and the smear would glow. very mean indeed but cool. My most favorite memory was once when we were camping in a field on a very dark night and we looked out of the tent and it was a magical sight of fireflies everywhere. So awesome to see. Thanks for making me remember that. Enjoyed your post!

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  8. I use to catch fireflies when young too and put them in the bottles! SO beautiful!
    I can't see any now both in my garden and my parents garden....

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  9. fireflies live in this part of the world as well. I caught one the other day and I wondered what made them glow. Cute creature hehe...

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  10. Yeap, we collected fireflies too and put them in our pockets, and most died the next day. They were seasonal then....

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  11. There are no fireflies in the Pacific Northwest. In fact I've never seen one. Ever. I suppose I should put this on my bucket list. :)

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  12. We have them here, around our yard, and I LOVE them. But there were so many more when I was a child. We spent every summer at the lake, and they were everywhere!

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