fireflies Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Lightning Bugs

Two nights ago, on Monday evening, Karl and I took a good long walk that extended into the magical time of twilight. Much to my delight, we were welcomed along the way by lightning bugs rising from their slumber and peeking their heads above the tall grasses that fill the fields and line the roads around our home.

With my sense of time rather hopelessly distorted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it felt early to be greeting these harbingers of summer. But I guess it’s not. I see I first wrote about them last year on June 3^rd, when I discovered a lone firefly hanging out on our porch one morning. I then wrote another post on June 9^th – when I reported seeing a grand display as they rose from the forest floor near High Rocks.

Come to think of it, then, it would appear that they’re pretty much right on track. Practically to the day, since it was June 8^th when we saw them this year!

Wow. Bug time. You can set your calendar by it.

First Heat Wave of the Season

We took a walk this evening that bumped up close to twilight, but wasn’t late enough, apparently, to witness my favorite luminescent creatures. I have to wonder if they weren’t sleeping in, tucked into the cool shade of the matted undergrowth of the meadows and forests. They may have been tempted to hunker down a bit longer than usual tonight, as the heavy blanket of heat and humidity today made all movement feel like a major, sticky effort.

The heat index was up to 100 degrees today. That’s oppressive. It means that the heat and humidity weren’t bad enough on their own, but they decided to work together to add a little oomph to the punishment being meted out to the humans. But I also think these are prime conditions for firefly eggs to hatch.

I’m optimistic that a post-twilight walk later this week will yield tremendous firefly activity. Or maybe we’ll have to wait until July for the best natural pyrotechnics. In the meantime? I just looked out the window and a wink of light acknowledged my glance.

Lightning bugs. They’re one of the little joys in life that keep me going.

Fireflies – Photo: Stocksy United

(T-534)

Photo: L. Weikel

Lightning Beauty

I know lightning bugs are just coming into ‘season.’ Just last weekend while sitting outside on a friend’s lawn I noticed a couple shyly blinking in the nearby woods. They must have been hearty souls, though, for I think they were quite lonely. The rest of their kin were still staying warm wherever fireflies like to cuddle.

When I was at Amadell in North Carolina two weeks ago, fireflies were just starting to rise up from the grasses. Our hosts excitedly regaled us with stories of synchronous fireflies, a phenomenon in which thousands of lightning bugs gather in swarms and flash – you guessed it – in synchrony. It sounds utterly magical; sort of like a natural form of a fireworks grand finale.

Making this spectacle even more unique as a prized experience, the bugs only offer this performance for about one to two weeks each late spring/early summer. The Smoky Mountains National Park actually has an annual lottery for tickets to view this amazing phenomenon.

Listening Retreat – June 2020

Since I’m pretty sure the fireflies aren’t aware of where the National Park boundaries are located, I’m thinking this could be an excellent reason for me to offer a Listening Retreat at Amadell next year during the first week in June! Anyone want to join me?

It just so happens that in 2012, this particular type of lightning bug that engages in this synchronous behavior was discovered in western Pennsylvania! If you might find it a little easier to make a road trip to Allegheny National Forest, you should check out this link.

Today’s Catalyst

You might be wondering what prompted me to write about this tonight. It’s the appearance of the handsome fella whose photo is both above and below.

While I was sitting on our porch this morning having coffee with Karl and picking our cards, I noticed this guy walking on an end table. I recognized his distinctive coloring immediately and knew, from memories of many a collection in a mason jar with holes poked into the top with a screwdriver, that he was a lightning bug.

When I grabbed my phone and took his photo, I was taken by his gorgeous coloring and knew in an instant I’d be sharing this with you. This creature is too beautiful to be ignored.

I’m sure this will not be the last post I write about lightning bugs. When it gets a little warmer here in Pennsylvania, they will put on a show that rivals many a Christmas light village extravaganza. And I know I’ll write about them again because of how much I love them.

But before I do, I hope you will appreciate their beauty even without abdomens that flash seductively – and occasionally synchronously – in the summer air.