We seem to be having more fireflies in the neighborhood this year and my yard is no exception. I love fireflies. Yes, as a kid I stupidly caught some and kept them in a jar, with holes in the lid, so that they could breathe. Never again. But I still can’t help catching them; marveling in their beauty and delicateness, and watching them fly away.
The other day I caught one while outside with Xena, our dog. I couldn’t help but show her. Carefully cupping my hand, and whispering to Xena to “leave it”, she approached looking at the blinking bug in the palm of my hand. She sniffed carefully, stepped back, and came forward to sniff again – keeping her eyes on the firefly as it glowed. Then its wings spread – and Xena’s eyes opened wide in amazement – as the firefly took flight. Xena followed it with her head at first. Then she followed it – not chasing to catch – as it reached our fence, flew thru it, and then away.
i’ve always wanted to get a nice photo of a bunch of fireflies dancing in the air, but i never have my tripod handy and i’d probably just be having too much fun watching them to fiddle with the right long exposure settings.
i’ve never seen a dog act that way, glad she appreciates the little things, like fireflies!
Heh. Some bugs – like beatles – she will pick up and drop out of her mouth. Yuch.