We often get asked by Visitors to Kodagu (Coorg) as to what is there to see or visit. Most usually visit a few historical monuments, temples and a couple of waterfalls. Dubare Elephant camp and the Tibetan settlement in Bylkuppe (not within the District) are some other destinations.
The real beauty of Kodagu is the mesmerising landscape and Interaction with Nature. There are different times of the year when with careful planning and guidance and encouragement from local planters, one is blessed with spectacular viewing of fireflies, the hum of millions of rock-bees returning to their hives after foraging from the forests and the sighting of migratory birds and wild berries and fruits. These memories remain etched in one’s memories forever.
Reproduced below is an extraordinary image and article taken by Dr Bishan Monnappa of fireflies that magically appear in the May/June timeframe. This post is to coincide with Mother Nature’s own LIGHTING EVENT which surpasses the horrible noise, pollution and inconsiderate chairs that takes place across the country at Diwali.
Fireflies are a kind of winged beetles which use bio-luminescence as a tool for mating. The males display a species specific pattern of “flashing” (Pun intended) while flying through the air looking for a mate. These are responded to by a single flash by the female…which are perched on the leaves or branches… Interesting here is the synchronous flashing, exhibited by one percent of the 2000 species of fireflies around the world. The large group of fireflies produce synchronous, repetitive ,rhythmic flashes in unison…sometimes lighting up the whole forest at once….. There has been lot of hypothesis and postulates as to why it is so..starting from mate selection, increase of mate recognition going upto warning the competitors and predators.
The key to their light is a chemical reaction based on a compound called luciferin. Researchers have found that fireflies have been around since 99 million years.
Shot in Coorg, Karnataka, India
Nikon Gears
Dr.Bishan Monnappa
Good info Dr Bishan, Sighting fire flies is mesmerizing…