Dream-Like Pictures Of Firefly Light-Trails Captured Using Long-Exposure Photography

Through the magic of long-exposure photography, Missouri-based photographer Vincent Brady has captured the bright trails of light left behind by fireflies as they perform their nightly dances in the American Midwest. The result is a collection of absolutely mesmerizing images that seem to have come straight out of a dream.

Fireflies have always captured our attention, especially as children, because they seem like stars that have come down to earth.

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Brady’s photographs transform them into shooting stars.

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By keeping the camera’s exposure open as they buzz around, he captures not only their light, but their motion as well.

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He took the photographs at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and at Grand Ledge in Michigan in 2013.

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He shot during humid nights, when fireflies are more likely to put on their bioluminescent display.

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These insects (technically winged beetles) use their lights to attract both potential mates and potential prey.

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The light that they emit, which is caused by a complex series of chemical reactions in their abdomen, is considered totally cold – meaning that it doesn’t generate any infrared or ultraviolet light and doesn’t give off heat.

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Judging by his website, Brady is a big fan of fireflies. “If your significant other ever says,’Honey, we need to spray the yard, we have a firefly problem.’ Break up, divorce, and get a restraining order right away!“ he says. “Fireflies just bless you with their presence, light up, make love, and call it a life.

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