Postcard No. 4 – Looking for Fireflies
Setting assumptions aside in search of an enchanting summer sight.
Hello my lovely friends! If you are new to Seasonfold, then welcome! If you have been around for a while, thank you for sticking with me. In case you didn’t already know, my name is Amy Earls. I am the creator and writer behind this little nature journal. For several years now I have been building a consistent habit of observing nature, mostly phenological changes, as a means to reconnect with the natural world. I thought by being more in tune with the rhythm of the seasons, I might find a gentle but sustainable path forward. On this occasion, please join me for the evening of June 23, 2026 as I go in search of an enchanting summer sight… fireflies.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
At some point… I am not sure exactly when, I set some intentions for June. Not actionable goals or numbers to chase, but experiences I wanted to have. I kept it short, knowing all too well that my energy is limited. Here are my seasonal intentions for June 2026: Go blueberry picking, enjoy time in nature without an agenda, watch the sun set on the Solstice, encounter fireflies at dusk.
Needless to say, I did not manage to do all of those things, but I realized I was waiting. Waiting for the right weather, for things to just “work out”, for perfect timing. In regards to the fireflies, I had this idea in my head that I would have to go somewhere to see them. As if fireflies were some kind of destination. No idea why I had that odd thought, but thankfully it finally dawned on me to look for them right here in my very own neighborhood.
And guess what I found once I finally went looking?
Fireflies!
Literally right outside my window.
They had been there all along and I never bothered to look for them. Me. The person who is always seeking out opportunities to observe nature. But I hadn’t even tried, simply because I never stopped to question the unfounded notion that had taken hold in my mind.
So in a moment of inspiration, I did something spontaneous. I went out for a walk just after 9 pm (which is unusual for me, most of the time I take my walk in the morning as there tend to be a lot of mosquitos near nightfall). In late June the evenings are the longest, so the glow from the setting sun was still fading from the sky. It should be prime firefly-flashing season. I didn’t have to go far and I started to see tiny lights against dark foliage. I had found them! Even here, in the middle of the city there are fireflies!
I went a bit farther along, trying to get away from the street lights. On the path, I stood and watched them, charming little beetles blinking their greenish-yellow bioluminescence. Some hung in the air right in front of me, slowly drifting off into the darkness. I reached out my hand, hoping one would land on me. Alas, none were willing. Slowly, I made my way to a little wooded area and it was the best spot yet, as they were more densely concentrated here.
I tried my best to capture the scene with video but have to admit it was more beautiful in person (short clip included at the bottom of this post). The human eye is much better for viewing these kinds of things than a phone camera lens. All that aside, I was really happy that I came out to look for fireflies, genuinely excited to see their lights twinkling as night settled in. Yet another moment of nature’s magic, one that I had almost written off because of a silly idea that got stuck in my head.
I need to keep reminding myself: Go for the walk. Look for the fireflies. Do the thing. You never know what you might find if you set your assumptions aside.
May you keep sparkling even when the light grows dim.
– Amy Earls
If you enjoyed reading this, please consider my other Postcard entries:
Postcard No. 1 – Waiting for Rain
Postcard No. 2 – Watching the Evening Sky
Postcard No. 3 – A Strawberry Outing