Synchronous Fireflies in the Smokies next week

Synchronous Fireflies in the Smokies next week

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

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The synchronous fireflies of Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains will again be at their peak next week. If you plan on veiwing the lightning bugs, you should be aware that the park closes the road to Elkmont each evening. As in years past, the only way to access the area is by using the trolley service provided by the park from the Sugarlands Visitor Center beginning this Saturday through the following Sunday night (June 4-12).

Additional Details:

The Elkmont entrance road will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrian use every night from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, June 4-12, except to registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground.

The trolleys will begin picking up visitors from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area at 7 p.m. The trolleys will run continually until the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area is full, or until 9 p.m., whichever comes first. The last trolley to return visitors from Elkmont to the Sugarlands Visitor Center is scheduled at 11 p.m. The cost will be $1 round trip per person as in previous years.

For more information about the synchronous fireflies, including a video, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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GSMA Synchronous Firefly Night Walk

GSMA Synchronous Firefly Night Walk

Saturday, May 28, 2011

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Join the Great Smoky Mountain Association and naturalist Wanda DeWaard next Friday, June 3rd, at 7:00 pm for a Walk with the Fireflies. Wanda will not only discuss the synchronous fireflies in the Smokies, but also will give you some history of the Elkmont area and other interesting natural history and cultural facts.

Pre-registration and payment is required and is limited to 15 participants. The fee is $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Call 865-436-7318, Ext. 222 or 254 to register.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants and sturdy walking shoes. Bring a small flashlight with a red or blue film (cellophane), water, rain gear, snacks, light day pack, and a pad of some sort to sit on (not a chair).

Meet at Elkmont at the Little River Trailhead at 7:00 pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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Synchronous Fireflies schedule details set

Synchronous Fireflies schedule details set

Saturday, May 22, 2010

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Each June in the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains, a natural phenomenon occurs that continues to baffle scientists.

During a two week window in late spring, thousands of lightning bugs flash in complete unison.

The synchronous firefly show, which researchers have identified as a rare form of “simultaneous bioluminescence”, is a popular and growing attraction for the Smoky Mountains. Each evening, several hundred park visitors begin arriving in Elmont with blankets, chairs and flashlights to witness the natural phenomenon that occurs after the park becomes pitch black.

If you would like to see this incredible show, you should be aware that the park closes the road to Elkmont. The only way to access the area is by using the trolley service provided by the park from the Sugarlands Visitor Center beginning on Saturday, June 5th, through the following Sunday night, June 13th.

Additional details from Park Officials:

The Elkmont entrance road will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrian use every night from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, June 5-13, except to registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground.

The trolleys will begin picking up visitors from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area at 7 p.m. this year. The trolleys will run continually until the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area is full, or until 9 p.m., whichever comes first. The last trolley to return visitors from Elkmont to the Sugarlands Visitor Center is scheduled at 11 p.m. The cost will be $1 round trip per person as in previous years.

It's recommended that visitors bring flashlights with red cellophane covers to reduce white light. Visitors can bring lawn chairs, and carry food and water in backpacks which can fit on their laps in the trolleys. Please note that there are no services available at the site.

Visitors are prohibited from bringing coolers, alcoholic beverages, or their pets.

For more information about the synchronous fireflies, including a video, please click here.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

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Synchronous Fireflies in Smokies next week

Synchronous Fireflies in Smokies next week

Sunday, May 31, 2009

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Just a reminder, the synchronous fireflies of Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains will be at their peak next week. In fact, if you plan on veiwing the lightning bugs, you should be aware that the park closes the road to Elkmont (except to registered campers staying at the Elkmont campground). The only way to access the area is by using the trolley service provided by the park from the Sugarlands Visitor Center beginning this Saturday through the following Sunday night (June 6-14).

Additional details from Park Officials:

The Elkmont entrance road will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrian use every night from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, June 6-14, except to registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground.

The trolleys will begin picking up visitors from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV/bus parking area at 6 p.m. The trolleys will run continually until the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking area is full, or until 9 p.m., whichever comes first. The last trolley to return visitors from Elkmont to the Sugarlands Visitor Center is scheduled at 11 p.m. The cost will be $1 round trip per person as in previous years.

For more information about the synchronous fireflies, including a video, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Smoky Mountain Cabins Check out our new page for cabin and chalet listings in the Smokies!

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The Synchronous Fireflies of Elkmont

The Synchronous Fireflies of Elkmont

Saturday, April 18, 2009

3 comments

Each June in the Elkmont area of the Great Smoky Mountains, a natural phenomenon occurs that continues to baffle scientists.

During a two week window in late spring, thousands of lightning bugs flash in complete unison.

The synchronous firefly show, which researchers have identified as a rare form of “simultaneous bioluminescence”, is a popular and growing attraction for the Smoky Mountains. Each evening, several hundred park visitors begin arriving in Elmont with blankets, chairs and flashlights to witness the natural phenomenon that occurs after the park becomes pitch black.

To get an idea of just what happens, check out this YouTube video. The video is a little grainy, but it still gives you a rough idea of what you can expect to see:



Although the existence of synchronous fireflies at Elkmont was known to only a few prior to the early 1990s, synchronous fireflies have been known to visitors of Southeast Asia for centuries. In fact, Sir Francis Drake recorded the phenomenon during his exploration of the East Indies in 1577.

While Elkmont has become a popular and crowded spot to see the lightning bugs, similar glow-in-the-dark shows have also been reported in Cades Cove, Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness Area, Hot Springs, Greenbrier and the Sugarlands in recent years.

Synchronous fireflies (Photinus carolinus) are one of 14 species of fireflies that live within the park boundaries. They’re the only species in America whose individuals can synchronize their flashing light patterns.

Fireflies take from one to two years to mature from larvae, but will live as adults for only about 21 days. Their light patterns are part of the adulthood mating display. Each species of firefly has a characteristic flash pattern that helps its male and female individuals recognize each other. The males fly and flash and the usually stationary females respond with a flash.

No one is quite sure why the fireflies flash synchronously. Competition between males may be one reason: they all want to be the first to flash. Or perhaps if the males all flash together they have a better chance of being noticed, and the females can make better comparisons. The fireflies do not always flash in unison. They may flash in waves across hillsides, and at other times will flash randomly. Synchrony occurs in short bursts that end with abrupt periods of darkness.

Peak flashing for synchronous fireflies in the park normally occurs within a two-week period in mid-June.

As in recent years, in order to control the crowds, the park will close the road to Elkmont (except to registered campers staying at Elkmont), and a trolley service from the Sugarlands Visitor Center will be provided for those wishing to see the fireflies in action.

Trolleys will run between the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Elkmont on June 6-14 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (but will end earlier in the evening if the parking lot fills up). The last trolley back to the Visitor Center will leave Elkmont at 11:00 p.m.

For more information call the Park at 865-436-1200.







Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

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