19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Altered Images
Starry summer night

Japanese endemic firefly “Princess Firefly” It has been said that they live in the forest up to 1,200 meters above sea level. In this place at an altitude of 1500 meters, fireflies were shining beautifully while being illuminated by the stars. Himebotaru, which is an indigenous firefly species of Japan, fly around the summer forest while repeating a blink of a short time—reminiscent of Christmas illumination. The females cannot fly, only the males. The sight is fantastic enough to forget the awe of the night forest. It is the brightness of life for only ten days of the summer.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: Japan
Camera: NIKON D4S
Copyright: © KAZUAKI KOSEKI