I'm going a little off topic today, but I have to say that National Geographic is awesome. My friend gave me a subscription for my birthday and I was eager to dive into the current issue. The magazine appeals to my geeky side, my love for travel and my curiosity for wildlife. I know National Geographic has been around for a long time, but wow...I didn't realize how amazing and inspiring it was!
One particular article stood out to me about the dramatic decline in fireflies. I started thinking about it and yeah, where are all the fireflies? As I child I remember seeing them everywhere and now I just see a glimmer here and there. The article said, "No one has yet confirmed what's causing the population drops, but experts suspect habitat loss and light pollution." First the bees and now the fireflies. I can't imagine a world without either of them.
It's nice to see these hand painted Western Fireflies available at Right Hemisphere. They are perfect for shadow boxes, framing or just pinned on a cork board as a friendly firefly reminder. Also, check out Firefly Watch to track fireflies in your neighborhood. Have you seen a decline in fireflies in your area?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Fireflies
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28 comments:
I too have been thinking about the lack of fireflies lately. So sad to see them diminishing...I don't think I've seen one in at least a decade! So sad!
There should be a "safe the fireflies" campaign like there is one for the bees.
{ Lindsey }
http://greatfullday.blogspot.com
Sadly, I haven't seen a single firefly since I moved to MN. In city or country.
i haven't seen any fireflies in mn, either. but, then again, we didn't have a lot of them where i grew up in colorado, either. but yeah, sad! i don't want a world without fireflies or bees, either!
Love National Geographic, my dad has had a subscription since I could remember, we always had stacks upon stacks of yellow bound magazines on the shelves of our computer room. It comes in really handy w/teaching too, they have a kids edition "National Geographic Explorer."
That is true, they used to be everywhere now I miss them annoying me.
I used to have a subscription to NG, the images are so breathtaking, and the articles are hard to put down.
Along with fireflies and bees, I've also noticed a major decline in common butterflies. I remember trying to catch them with a net in my backyard as a kid, and now I see maybe 2 a year! So sad how our industrialization has destroyed so many habitats.
We've a very large firefly population in our yard, in part because we've worked really hard in the garden to plant things that attract "good bugs." We get butterflies, bees, ladybugs, fireflies, and even dragonflies! (We also have lots of "good critters" like salamanders, frogs, etc. And "rare" critters like foxes, mink, coyotes, hawks, and owls!) But I know that the same is not true for everyone, unfortunately. I feel pretty lucky that I have all these beasties around me.
Wow Nancy - your garden sounds amazing!
lucky for us, we still get lots of little fireflies around our yard. i always have to catch one to say hello up close, then let him (or her) go. we use to catch them as kids and put them in a glass jar just to watch them up close for a while. and, we also have a ton of bees in and around our place. this past week when it was so stinking hot here, we would have a bunch of bees all lined up around the bird bath getting water. seriously, there were so many of them at one time, i should have taken a picture.
I've always lived in the west, so no fireflies for me. My first experience with fireflies was as an 18 year old in New Jersey. I felt like a 5 year old, though. They're so magical!
Sadly, I see fewer and fewer fireflies each year. I have seen a handful this year though.
I love National Geographic. My dad has had a subscription since I can remember, so I checkthem out when I visit my folks.
yes. I have noticed this sad state of affairs in Illinois. I also think it is because the summers have been a bit cooler lately...they like that hot, humid weather :)
I studied at Penland after we graduated, and it looked like the trees were on fire with them!! (No pun intended.) Maybe that's where they all went. We have a few here in Carolina but, yeah, a definite decline in numbers. I thought it was just me . . . good to know I'm not imagining things but sad too that it's a real issue.
Fireflies going strong in Alabama!
You know, I have noticed a decline in the past few years. When I was little, fireflies were my favorite bug and I still catch them when I see them! Granted, I've been in metro Detroit for a couple years now. The conditions don't compare to the more rural western side of the state...
You're right. NG is a great mag. Think I'll get a subscription for my partner's birthday. The travel, the world, the fireflies all sound like great stories that I know will be appreciated. We used to have a sub but stopped it a few years back because we weren't reading it much, but I think it's missed and will be a nice surprise.
These are gorgeous! I don't think we have fireflies at all in Seattle. We get and love NG; I missed that article. Will check it out.
They really do remind me of a simpler time, funny how images do that!
I can remember lamenting the absence of fireflies with a friend a number of summers ago, but, just two weeks ago, when I was visiting my parents in Tennessee, I was thrilled to see a number in their backyard at night! I can't imagine a world without them either-- they complete summer, really.
one nice thing about living in the middle of nowhere - we have lots of fireflies here in kansas!
What a sad thought... a would without fireflies. Happy to report they are still alive and well in my backyard!
Oh yes National Geographic is awesome. Something I have loved since a kid. Love the art you posted. So cute!
love this post. can't live without nat'l geo, or fireflies!
I don't think I've ever seen a firefly. I don't know if we have them here. They seem like magic.
They're just coming out right about now. It's been so rainy, I don't think they fly around much when it rains... maybe it's inhibiting mating rituals?
unfortunately i have seen a firefly in florida...ever. was hoping this summer to see some on our trip back to the midwest. my kids have never seen them and they really are magical.
Our backyard is full to bursting with fireflies, thank goodness. I woke up my 4 year old the other night, around 10:30, and we stood out on the porch for about 15 minutes watching the show. It was spectacular!
We have boxes and boxes of old National Geographics, going decades back. My grandparents had a subcription every year-my dad practically learned how to read from sitting on my grandpa's lap while he perused the NGs! Luckily they kept them all, and now Erick and I have a practically-full archive. :)
We haven't had many at all. Nothing like when I was a kid. But we had one in my (NJ) kitchen on July 4th!
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