The magic and mysticism of the fireflies can be felt in its maximum splendor in the sanctuary of the Fireflies in Nanacamilpa in Tlaxcala.
Surely most of you in your childhood had the joy of enjoying the magic of the lights of some little animals whether in a forest or simply in a garden. Here we tell you about the fireflies of Tlaxcala.
The magic and mysticism of the fireflies can be felt in its maximum splendor in the sanctuary of the Fireflies in Nanacamilpa in Tlaxcala.
Surely most of you in your childhood had the joy of enjoying the magic of the lights of some little animals whether in a forest or simply in a garden. Here we tell you about the fireflies of Tlaxcala.
Why and what is the light of fireflies for?
Fireflies exist throughout the world, at least 1,900 species are known and undoubtedly their main characteristic is their ability to generate light at intervals of six to eight seconds through a special organ located in their abdomen.
Light is produced by a luciferin oxidation process in the presence of the luciferase enzyme, this effect is known as bioluminescence, similar to that produced by plankton under certain conditions in some places.
These lights in the nights without rain become an endless dance of courtship between males and females; In general, the females perch on a tree or bush and are fixedly illuminated for a few seconds to attract the males that fly over, emitting various sequences of flashes so that mating can occur, without a doubt this dance accompanied by bioluminescence is one of the most spectacular courtships in the entire animal kingdom.
Nights later, the females lay their eggs underground or in the bark of trees so that they hatch a few weeks later giving life to the light worms that will become the new generation of fireflies.
The Sanctuary of Fireflies
It is a natural reserve located in the Nanacamilpa municipality in Tlaxcala, where fireflies courtship and mating occurs in the middle of its beautiful and humid forests in the months of June, July and early August.
Photo: Jorge de la Madrid
This beautiful sanctuary opened to the public in 2011, covers 200 hectares of forest and is — along with the North Island sanctuary in New Zealand — one of a kind, certainly a must-see destination.
In the vicinity of the sanctuary there are various accommodation options, even next to the reserve there are some cabins which must be reserved at least a year in advance, imagine what it is like to sleep in this magical forest in the company of these wonderful beings of light.
Another highly recommended option is to stay and spend a day at Val’Quirico, an artificial town set in the Italian medieval style just 18 kilometers from Tlaxcala, a unique complex with great culinary options.
The fireflies experience in Tlaxcala
I have had the fortune to visit the Sanctuary of the Fireflies a couple of times, where when it begins to get dark the spectacle of these wonderful beings begins.
The show is such that, I recommend doing it on two consecutive nights, thus also minimizing the presence of rain which causes fireflies not to appear.
For all lovers of photography, especially fauna, flora and landscapes, this is a place that you should go, my second visit was in a photography workshop, it is a challenge, the main advice is to locate your location before nightfall and on it turn the tripod (essential) to obtain different shots. They do not know how comforting it is to achieve the images, I have wanted to write about this wonderful place for a long time, but I had pending the photographs to be able to transmit a little the mysticism and beauty of the environment.
Follow the guide’s instructions at all times, do not use artificial lights as they hurt the fireflies and inhibit their behavior, do not forget that while you observe they are giving life to the next generation.
It is imperative to walk only on the trails prepared for the route, do not sit or lean on the trees, remember that the fertilized eggs are in these places. The most important thing in this type of activity is to interfere as little as possible with the course of nature.
Inexplicable connection
I am sure that what you can hear or read about this experience will not come close to what it really is, in my case I have rarely felt so strong a connection with something divine, supernatural, energetic or as everyone called it, in my particular case I felt the presence of God, of those people who are no longer with us, all this while the lights dance in absolute silence.
Source: Mexico Desconocido
