Judd Patterson
Elkmont Synchronous Fireflies #1
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.
#2: www.flickr.com/photos/juddpatterson/2767788217/
Elkmont Synchronous Fireflies #1
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.
#2: www.flickr.com/photos/juddpatterson/2767788217/