Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Fireflies in synchrony

The Wild with Chris Morgan

KUOW News and Information

Science, Nature

4.8 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 5 November 2024

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Once a year they come out, by the thousands. Fireflies. But these aren’t just any fireflies. These are Photinus Carolinas, also known as synchronous fireflies They blink on and off together. It’s an amazing site. On this episode, I head to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to experience the synchronous fireflies and learn how light from human development is threatening the future of these delicate, glowing insects and what the park is doing to try to protect them.

This show would not be possible without listener support. You can help us continue to create this special immersive storytelling by donating at kuow.org/donate/thewild. Thank you.

For some great photographs and clips from our journey through the national parks, check out our Instagram @thewildpod and @chrismorganwildlife.

THE WILD is a production of KUOW, Chris Morgan Wildlife, and the NPR Network. This episode was produced by Matt Martin and edited by Jim Gates. THE WILD is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript

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0:19.3	Join me and special guests Wednesday, December 11th.
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0:33.4	A lot of loud exhaust plates.
0:36.6	It's not exactly what I pictured for my first trip to the Appalachian Mountains.
0:42.3	There are amusement parks down the main strip.
0:45.3	Dolly Parton's famous place, Dollywood.
0:48.3	A giant Titanic ship hitting a life-sized iceberg.
0:52.3	There's a miniature NASCAR racetrack.
0:56.6	And people everywhere lapping up the summertime vibe.
1:02.1	Harley's cruising by, pinball, bright neon signs,
1:06.4	with a smell of deep-fried chicken.
1:09.7	Best steakhouse in town, guys, come on up. It's all a bit much for a guy who likes a bit of deep fried chicken. Best egg house in town, guys. Come on up.
1:12.2	It's all a bit much for a guy who likes a bit of peace and quiet in nature.
1:16.6	You know, something a bit more Huckleberry Finn.
1:19.9	But to my relief, less than two miles from the edge of Gatlinburg, Tennessee,
1:25.4	I enter another world.
1:33.5	Thank you. of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I enter another world. A sign at the roadside says,
1:36.2	Welcome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
	...

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