Imre Potyó's Image

Imre was captivated by the chaotic mass of mayflies swarming around him on the banks of the River Rába. Just after sunset, the insects began to fill the air with millions of silken wings, smothering Imre and his equipment. An in-camera double exposure and a flashlight enabled him to capture the mayflies and the stars beyond.

Each year, vast numbers of adult mayflies emerge from this Danube tributary, having spent most of their lives underwater. Taking flight for just a few hours, they swarm to overwhelm predators and improve their chance of finding a mate. The return of these pollution-sensitive insects to some European rivers shows clean-up efforts are working.