Firefly season sees dancing delights at dusk in Coffs Coast’s verdant valleys Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - September 23, 2021 Photo: Mandy Atkinson – Modern Digital. FIREFLIES are sharing their magic across the Coffs Coast for their short Spring season. Eastern Dorrigo resident Rebecca Ludstrom shared with News Of The Area, “My love of fireflies started as a child in Bellingen, seeing them at my parents’ property and falling in love with their mystery. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au “Now I’m much older, I want to photograph them, as each time is always different. “They are a bit of a challenge to capture for an amateur photographer. “As you can see, they are right on the road, and this is a worry.” Mark Graham, an Ecologist with the Bellingen Nature Company, told News Of The Area, “Fireflies are one of the greatest natural delights of our verdant valleys. “Emerging as the weather warms in early Spring, these bioluminescent flying beetles are only active and evident for a fairly brief window of time; generally limited to a period of two to about six weeks. “Mostly inhabiting the undergrowth of dense moist forests across our region, fireflies emerge from the forest depths in the crepuscular gloom of dusk, flashing their unique signature patterns, caused by the glowing enzyme luciferase, as an attractant to their kind.” Mandy Atkinson, who lives in Boambee East, shared, “I first saw fireflies on the Coffs Coast shortly after moving here from the Snowy Mountains ten years ago – I had no idea they even existed in Australia. “A few years ago, I saw some around the lagoon near my house and this reignited (pardon the pun) my love for these little critters. “There’s a certain feeling in the air when it’s firefly season. “It’s a perfect blend of temperature and ambient light which suggests they’ll appear just after sundown. “It starts as little flickers of light on the ground amongst the grass and leaves. “Before you know it, the sky is alive with flashing yellow lights, looping and spiralling. “A few weeks ago, while out firefly spotting, I got particularly lucky and got to experience bioluminescence on Moonee Beach as well as a massive meteor.” By Andrea FERRARI Rebecca Ludstrom’s photo taken in Eastern Dorrigo.
