I always loved fireflies as a child. Spending summer nights with a jar, trying to catch just one. I remember watching them blink here and then there, in awe of this bug that could actually light up. But living in the country has propelled watching fireflies onto a whole new plane.
I had actually gone to bed on time, but Tom was working late in the shop. He came into the bedroom, woke me up, and whispered, “You have to come see this.” I stumbled out onto the porch, expecting to see some part of the display he was putting together for this weekend’s festival.
Once my eyes adjusted to the dark, I saw it. I can’t even begin to explain, but in the country there are just thousands and thousands of fireflies. As far as your eye can see, there are dancing lights. It’s mesmerizing.
I tried to capture it in a photo and on video, but neither worked. Maybe that’s Mother Nature’s way of saying it’s just something you have to see in person.
Great music for firefly watching: Fireflies, by Lori McKenna