One of the simple pleasures of summer (I realize June 17th is technically not summer, but when it’s a sultry 100 degrees in the shade, it’s close enough) is watching the fireflies.
Fireflies, a.k.a. lightning bugs, are pretty amazing. Like tiny, flashing glowsticks, these cute little creatures can make the night sky seem a bit magical.
Growing up in the Tonti countryside, I remember chasing and watching them as a little girl. I’m pretty sure I pretended they were Tinkerbell a time or two. (I did finally see Tinkerbell “in person” on my Senior Band Trip to Florida…)
If you haven’t ever spent a peaceful evening in the country watching fireflies as the sunset fades into dark, you should. Birds and likely some other critters provide a tranquil soundtrack.
This video is just simply that–a few minutes of watching fireflies at Dusk in the country. Enjoy.
I didn’t slide driving around this morning, but a poor, large bird almost flew into my vehicle crossing over Crab Orchard Lake…
Please be safe driving around in Southern Illinois. The temperature is right on that line of freezing, and some folks are reporting a few slick spots. Big, fluffy snowflakes have been falling in the Marion area. Some actually are sticking to the geound.
Can you imagine the challenges of being a migrating bird in Southern Illinois? Whiplash could be an issue. “Get in formation, we are heading south for winter.” Then a few miles over, “Hey, it’s almost 70 degrees. Time to go north.” Another few miles: ‘Ugh. Snow. Put it in reverse, we’re heading south again…”
I guess we easily forget the wide range of weather we have, and how quickly it changes. On Christmas, it was so warm outside that we seriously considered dining al fresco on the deck.
That’s not the first warm December we have had. I can remember a December in Carbondale in the late 90’s (1998?) when it was exceptionally warm. Friends and I went to see Aerosmith at the SIU Arena. Later, we all sat out in front of La Roma’s on The Strip eating pizza at midnight and didn’t freeze. I miss La Roma’s…and those concerts. But, I digress…
Above: Carbondale, file photo
I also remember a cold May in the 90’s when a friend and I nearly froze trying to walk around at Fort de Chartres at Prairie du Rocher.
I guess the flipping back and forth of temperatures gives our region more character. It also means perhaps would should cut those poor birds some slack when they poop on our windshields. They must be stressed from all the weather changes.
Above: Our beloved Heidi (Heidi’s Angel Brigade of Southern Illinois was created to honor her memory) on a walk during a prior winter
