Murmuration from Islands & Rivers on Vimeo.
“Winter must must be coming… because the starlings are flocking. Here are many thousands of the birds wheeling together in the afternoon sky near Gretna Green yesterday, as they prepare to roost together for the night. A starling flock like this is called a murmuration, a word that perfectly describes the rustle of thousands of pairs of wings. Starling murmurations are one of the most dazzling displays in the natural world, as the flock changes shape, one minute like a colossal wisp of smoke, the next a tornado, the next a thundercloud blocking the light. The huge gatherings, biggest in winter, are boosted by thousands of birds that come to Britain’s milder Atlantic climate to escape the harsh cold of the European continent, especially in Scandinavia. There are several reasons to get together in the way they do – safety in numbers, information exchange (if some come back from a good feeding area others may learn of it) and warmth at night through roosting together. The birds may feed up to 20 miles from their winter roost but return each evening.”
Good Sunday Morning…
Sources: Quote: ~ The Independent; Image: Huffington Post
Live & Learn 
Wow!! How Hitchcock could have turned such a glorious concept on its ear is beyond me (typically don’t like a whole lot of birds together after that movie – this video clearly exempted)…I love the word ‘murmurations’ – it’s perfect. It’s like watching a cloud undulate and morph – just beautiful (and do you notice that in the still shot, they look a little like Snoopy as the Flying Ace?)
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No, I didn’t notice Flying Ace. Will need to watch again (for the 8th time).
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No need – just look at the still photo that is accompanies the post.
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Laughing. I need to go back to bed.
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It’s early – go ahead and give yourself the treat of crawling back under the covers.
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Just stared at the picture. Are you sure you are looking at the same one? 🙂
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😀 I agree. Well spotted.
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Wonderful video — less is more — but — no Snoopy for you?
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Sorry Frank. I don’t see Snoopy. I’ll need to come back to it. Have never been good at puzzles.
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He’s fighting the Red Baron….
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Definitely snoopy! But beautiful. I’m down the coast from Gretna, and we see them like this sometimes.
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You are lucky to be able to see this experience. And you see Snoopy too? Wow. Incredible. 🙂
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Amazing, I have never seen so many birds together. Video is not coming clearly.
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Yes, here’s the direct link: http://vimeo.com/31158841
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Thanks.
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Reblogged this on Living and Lovin.
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Thanks for sharing.
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You are very welcome!
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Magnificent! I love the roiling quality of the birds’ patterns, it’s like boiling water at times. They also made me think of an etch-a-sketch, and the way the iron filings move around. Very, very cool. And I LOVE the word mumuration! 🙂
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Yes, sort of like synchronized swimming on steroids. It is very cool.
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Love that word: murmurations
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Smiling. Appears that everyone else does too…
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Stupendous video, David! Love the noun “a murmuration.” So apt.
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Thanks Sylvia. Might need to use murmuration in a post just to be cool. 🙂
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In silence , mumurations is calling out, to people can you see our numbers filling the sky, we form pictures and fly away..with goodbye autumn and welcome winter sun.
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Nice…
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thanku
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Wow is right…what an amazing thing to witness. Thank you for sharing this David. Happy Sunday to you.
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Yes, I bet it would be a heart stopper if they passed by. Have a good weekend Tina.
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I watched the video a couple of times and then watched it with my husband, I got goose bumps each time as the birds flew in such amazing formation across the sky!
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That photo must be the bird version of New York City.
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Apparently it is Snoopy. Glad to hear that I’m not alone in not seeing him.
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Wow. That’s stunning. What an experience that would be.
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Agree! It is a wow.
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Pure magic! and definitely Snoopy 🙂 wow.. just when I was feeling really low in energy in it swooped. thank you!
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It is! (Pure Magic) Thanks for sharing Makere…
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Reblogged this on Makere's Blog and commented:
Spectacular and magical!
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