Murmurations

Humans are an incredibly curious species, at least those who aren't bamboozled by the trite homilies of religion. While today's big news is that scientists have landed a probe on a faraway comet after a 10-year journey. other scientists are trying to map and model those ballets of the skies created by starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) when they come in to land at dusk. These murmurations are a fantastic spectacle. This photo is the best nature picture I've seen in the past week. It shows a Murmurations of starlings as dusk falls near Gretna Green in Scotland, taken by Owen Humphreys. (CLICK to find a larger image.) If you fancy being a murmuration spotter, CLICK for details, as well as photos and a beautiful video of a murmuration being formed.