Every June there is a week or two when you can witness a spectacular firefly display in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Photinus carolinus is a very special insect, commonly referred to as a synchronous firefly. Each individual blinks five times in succession followed by a pause. What's remarkable is that large clusters of these insects will synchronize their display and all blink and pause at the same time.
These fireflies display later than typical fireflies (they start at 9:45PM or later) and so photography is extremely difficult. This is a two-minute exposure at ISO 1600 and at f/1.8. The woods were literary flashing with light in an unrivaled display...absolutely breathtaking and something I'll never forget.
` ®© ROBERTO CARBONI, and 190 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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2009TexasPhotos [deleted] 54 months ago | reply
love it!!!!
advanced122 [deleted] 51 months ago | reply
This brought me back to my childhood and the magic of fireflies on summer nights. Beautiful image I love it
graphixoutpost 50 months ago | reply
Amazing shot! I've tried to snap them before with no luck.... you've inspired me to try again this year - only about a month left to wait!
smokejumping 50 months ago | reply
Great execution. The best fireflies' poto I ever saw. Congratulations!
muhreee 50 months ago | reply
lovee it.
its B-E-A-utiful
-mai.
Don'z 49 months ago | reply
love the fire fly..
great JOB!!!
daytrpr 49 months ago | reply
Amazing!
keribeth 48 months ago | reply
Just astounding. I live near P. carolinus, but hadn't heard of them until this month. I'll have to plan a camping trip for next June!
hexihash 48 months ago | reply
This is a Wonderful Image!
We'd love to have this added to the group!
We'd like to invite you to join Focused In on Photography too!
Focused In on Photography
lovedart. 47 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called True Magic, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
alliecatmar 47 months ago | reply
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Pendergrass Library Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine Photos, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
unfocused mike 45 months ago | reply
very nice! those suckers aren't real easy to photograph, are they?
<<††>>open eyed prayer<<††>> 38 months ago | reply
The colors, wow!
Robin Morris 37 months ago | reply
Judd,
May I use your photo of Elkmont Synchronous Fireflies on my web site?
http:/backpackbasecamp.blogspot.com
Robin
rmorris@backpackbasecamp.com
Irene F. 37 months ago | reply
Amazing!!!!!
Fort Photo 37 months ago | reply
Oh my gosh, this is just crazy, crazy cool. Yep, fantastic Judd. ;-)))
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M o n a u r a l 36 months ago | reply
So cute!
louise@toronto1 36 months ago | reply
mike, this is awesome! thanks!
athmajeevi 34 months ago | reply
wonderful photography
An_Tarzan 29 months ago | reply
Yes I have seen this amazing act of these insects! ... lovely photograph.