Synchronous Forest Illumination of Fireflies Captured by a Photographer

Sriram Murali is a director and a photographer. In April 2022 he went to Anamalai Tiger Reserve (India) to watch the amazing show of mother nature's beauty. The man was very lucky to see the synchronous dance of fireflies. The insects have got an illuminated organ which they use to lure females. The flashes of light are also referred to as bioluminescence. Usually males make one flash or two and then take a break, waiting for a female's response. When one of them illuminates her abdomen, it means she is ready.

In fact only 1% of fireflies performs such a trick. It is still not clear why it is so. It has got definitely to do with mating, though.

Sriram Murali captured this magical moment. The forest was illuminated with yellow-green light and the trees seemed to emerge from the darkness thanks to the fireflies' flashes. The artist managed to seize the synchronous insect show thanks to very long exposure time. The final effect is breathtaking!

Listen to the hum of the Indian forest...