7.19.2017

summer magic





During a quiet night in rural Japan, photographer Tsuneaki Hiramatsu discovered a field and a forest aglow in a strange green light.  Upon closer inspection, Hiramatsu saw thousands of fireflies illuminating the brush and the trees beyond.  Fortunately for us, Hiramatsu had his Nikon handy, and captured a series of stills that expose the fireflies in all their natural glory.

To make an image where you see hundreds, if not thousands, of small firefly lights, Hiratmatsu uses time-lapse photography, taking several continuous exposures and then combining those exposures in post-production.





But wait, there's more...
The Lampyridae are a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera.  They are winged beetles, commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey.  The fireflies in Hiramatsu's images are the genji-botaru or Genji firefly.  Fireflies produce a "cold light," with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies.  This chemically produced light from the lower abdomen may be yellow, green or pale red – with wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers.  You come here for the math.  I know.




:via digital photo

7.17.2017

shhh.

zebra-south-africa-pilanesberg_32027_990x742

I'm wondering if this happy little fella (above) knows about this place (below). Probably not.  Think of it.  That could be his Gramma and PePop – and Uncle Marty and Great Aunt Stella, among others – under the lovely acacia tree in the distance.  Ancestry.com, man.  As they say, "Discover what makes you uniquely you."  Go for it.

amnh71

:rene roslev, lone zebra at dusk in pilanesberg national park, south africa; diana murphy, amnh