birds - The Lardner Report

(Pic #1) Yulan Magnolia flower

Lately I’ve been looking for distractions to extricate myself from the grim news all around us. Experts say we should take in headlines in small doses, and seek out more zen experiences to balance out the darkness with something light and joyful. I typically turn to nature.

I’ve started exploring “the best of” photos in National Geographic, and I keep my eye out for Images that will lift my spirits, not crush them.

I ran across the photo above — of the Chinese Yulan Magnolia flower — that teases the viewer with an alter ago: that of a precious pink baby bird, sitting in a cozy nest. The web went abuzz when these pics began to surface, and then skeptics pointed out that they are too perfect, that very few of these photos actually exist, and someone may have Photoshopped an eye onto one of the flower babies.

I’ve decided I don’t care. The beautiful thing about art — especially in nature — is that its purpose is to engage. Ideally, when we look at a painting, we’re drawn in — we may not be able to figure it out — but we’re hopelessly hitched. I love when I’m fooled. I look forward to being tricked. I’m drawn to the kind of art that messes with my head. Whether it’s an optical illusion, trick photography, or yes, even Photoshop — I’m in for the ride.

(Pic #2) Monkey-faced orchid

(Pic #3) Dracula Orchid

A show-stopping viral video illustrates how nature can turn on us — and on itself – in a nanosecond. We must be ready.

There’s a name for this phenomenon—MURMURATION. It’s simply a massive moving flock of starlings. Technically it’s a collective noun – much like a gaggle of geese or a school of fish.

The stunning video — posted by filmmakers Sophie Windsor Clive and Liberty Smith – emerged from an evening canoe trip which had no expectations. But the duo ended up capturing one of nature’s most extraordinary sights: thousands of birds twisting and diving in shape-shifting masses – choreographing a coordinated ballet over the longest River in Ireland – the Shannon.

“We were standing down on the shore and it was like the birds literally saw us on their island, chatted about it and gathered above our heads. It was such a rush and we were utterly overwhelmed,” said Sophie.

According to TIME’s London bureau, “No one knows why they do it. Yet each fall, thousands of starlings dance in the twilight above Gretna, Scotland, having migrated in the millions from Russia and Scandinavia to escape winter’s bite.” Scientists aren’t sure how they do it, either. “Even complex algorithmic models haven’t yet explained the starlings’ acrobatics, which rely on the tiny bird’s quicksilver reaction time of under 100 milliseconds to avoid aerial collisions—and predators.”

The lesson?

Sometimes nature chooses us to share her secrets or witness her show of force. We never really know exactly where or when she might strike. But wouldn’t it be cool if we could always be ready — for that life-altering moment — when she taps us on the shoulder and says, “Watch this.”

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plant….It’s WTF?

What the Flock? The Miracle Of Murmuration