Fire Flies

[xelasnave]

Fire flies are so neat:).
Does anyone get these wonderful little creatures in their garden?.
I have not seen any for ...mmm.. I was a kid then.

But there have been a few here.. I counted six the other night.

I had one in my hand and did he/she flash..
They make me so happy I can not explain why.

alex:):):)

[leon]

Alea, never have i experienced a fire fly, I have heard plenty about them, but never seen one,

My son was over in the States last year, and he was telling me that where he was they would light up the night, in swams.

Leon

[xelasnave]

Living light polution?
Maybe I could breed red ones for astronomers.
How they work would be an interesting subject.
alex

[leon]

Yep, they are regular little power packs, RED would be good Alex ;)

leon :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

as long as the bug zapper doesnt get them

[wavelandscott]

You've touched a sentimental chord with me with this thread.

The humble Fire Fly also known as the "Lightening Bug"...I miss them!

Where I grew up in the Midwest USA, they were everywhere at dusk...as a child I used to catch them in the hundreds and put them in glass jars (with small air holes) and take them in the house to watch at night...I'd let them go the next day.

One of my kids favorite books is titled 'The Lonely Firefly"...it is a cute book for preschool and young readers...there are a series of similar books by Eric Karl (not sure I spelled his name correctly...maybe Carl with a C)

A couple of years ago when we were back visiting my family in the US my sons got a chance to chase and play with them too...it was one of the last "fun" things my Mom was able to do with them before she passed away from leukemia...we still have the nets she made for them to catch the Lightening Bugs in...

I am happy to hear that they can also be found here in Australia...I've not seen one here in the 6.5 years I've lived here.

A company I worked for, long since acquired and swallowed by another conglomerate, copied the chemical reaction that takes place in the insect and started selling the "glow sticks" officially branded and then known as Cylume...

Cheers!

[sheeny]

My first encounter with fireflies was quite comical.

We were on an overnight caving/camping trip at Colong Caves. We were around the campfire and talking and I noticed some lights up the gully. We thought some bushwalkers were coming down the gully. The flashing was not unlike lights moving behind trees. But as they got closer, the number of lights got more and more, and they seemed to be getting closer, but we couldn't hear any movement or noise from people walking through the bush...

I remember looking at one of my mates on the other side of the fire, and he'd just been looking at the lights and I asked him "Can you see that?":lol: What a stupid thing to ask really...

It was a bizarre enough experience that we were quite on edge until we saw what it was.:P They are great! They occur in the gullies around Colong Caves during November. Since that first time we hav organised 2 other caving /camping trips to Colong during November and each time we've seen the fire flies. Never seen them any other time of year though.

Thanks for sharing Alex!

Al.

[GTB_an_Owl]

here on the Central Coast

Forest of Tranquillity
The Forest of Tranquillity is a stunningly beautiful rainforest where you can experience the magic of an ancient, unhurried world. See vistas of stately trees, lush palms, ferns, awesome sandstone cliffs and magnificent canopy overviews - all varied with nature's seasonal colours. What makes this unique sanctuary doubly interesting is the wealth of its wild birds, with over 124 different species now recorded. The rainforest walks vary from a stroll of 10 minutes up to 100 minutes.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (daily during school and public holidays).
Fire Fly Festival :
Firefly Festival Flies vary with weather conditions, out at dusk only, entry from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday & Sunday mid-November to mid-December. Please bring a torch.
Just one hour's drive from Sydney or Newcastle.
Forest of Tranquillity
Ourimbah Creek Road
Ourimbah NSW 2258
Tel: (02) 4362 1855
Fax: (02) 4362 1595

geoff

[Bobj]

I put up a post about the fireflies a while ago. Fascinating creatures!!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=20530&highlight=fireflies