This has long been on our "must see" list among the wonders of the natural world, but for the last month whenever I told someone (like 40 people) why we were heading up here they would go, "The huh?" Only one person had a clue. So I felt like I better blog about it so that the seven of you still reading this can learn all about this rare and excellent experience.
The synchronous firefly display is just that: a whole lot of fireflies blinking in unison. Mostly. They sort of need an hour or so after dusk to run through their routine and tune their little radio signals to the same frequency so they can put on a good show. If you listen closely you can hear them communicating. "Carl! What channel are you on?" "Hey, Sheila, what's our tempo tonight? Are we flashing some Aerosmith or just doing the wave?"
Actually, that is not at all how it works. They're connected by a long wire. All eight million of them. No, I really don't know for sure and scientists have not figured it out either. Photinus carolinus is the only species of firefly of the 90 or so we know about that do this. And since they only live here and in Indonesia (wanna get away?), this is a limited viewing opportunity. Another website I consulted claims there are two species that sync and smaller displays in Congaree NP and Arizona, but they concur that these locations are not nearly as good as the Great Smoky Mountains. Like the losers from an insect version of So You Think You Can Dance.
Anyhoo, on the night we viewed the fireflies we were treated to a dazzling show. According to rangers, it is not the same each night. By the time the display was in full swing around 9:30 we were viewing several hundred bugs flashing in a sort of wave pattern of five to seven blinks followed by an abrupt and complete dark period of about five seconds. I could not capture any video, but I found this clip on Youtube so you can see. I was able to get a few still shots using a high ISO and a 4-second exposure. We even witnessed a photobomb by a lone member of the "blue ghost" species, which keeps its light lit for about thirty seconds while it flies through the scene, looking kind of three sheets to the wind, if you know what I mean.
-Jenni
if you go...
The display only happens in the Elkmont section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and you MUST have a reservation to camp there or take the shuttle from the visitors center. Reservations open on April 1 and they go fast. (link below)
Camping in Elkmont is an excellent option as it allows you to avoid the crowded shuttles and stay later than the last bus. Plan to be out late. They really get going after 9:45 or 10:00. The fireflies, not the buses. Those stop running at 11:00 p.m.
Bring chairs, flashlights, rain gear. Wear long sleeves and pants because there is a LOT of poison ivy and you won't be able to see it in the dark. It's often wet in the Smokies and you won't want to sit on the ground without a good pad.
You won't be able to photograph the fireflies without a camera that gives you the option for a long shutter speed and high ISO. I shot at f/2.8, ISO 1250, and a bulb exposure of roughly 4 minutes. In retrospect, I wish I had brought my 50mm f/1.8 lens and gone with a slightly longer exposure in a darker part of the forest. And needless to say, you will need a sturdy tripod for this. Check out this guy's images: breath-taking.
For further firefly info, visit the GSMNP page on this link.
For camping and shuttle bus reservations, visit www.recreation.gov