Firefly Symphony

Sunday night found me on the front porch enjoying my glider, a light dinner and a glass of Shiraz from South Africa (not to be purchased again). The day has been sweltering with heat and high humidity, but the good thing about that is it brings out the fireflies in swarms, and man is it cool to be a spectator of this showy love fest as the flies flirtatiously flash each other in the dark. I grew up with fireflies around and really missed them for the twenty years I was living in the NW. I've enjoyed seeing a few here and there throughout the summer, but I've never quite seen this many at once. It was visually symphonic to see the flashes happen somewhat rhythmically as a bunch near each other would all light up simultaneously, and then across the street a straight row of flies would flash sequentially in order, and then back to the more random series of flashes all throughout my view of the immediate neighborhood. Occasionally, one hovering very nearby would flash and startle me, since you can't see them well until they light up. It's nice to see them close up and be thoroughly wowed by these marvelous little creatures. The closest we humans come to this phenomenon is by flashing our most dazzling smile along with an irresistible twinkling of the eyes--this happens most readily when we are hopelessly smitten ;)
Cheers