This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/feb/08/grrlscientist-starlings-murmuration-hlynsky-vimeo-video

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Starlings at Sunset | video Starlings at Sunset | video
(1 day later)
Once again, it is Caturday, so you all know what that means: let's watch a video!Once again, it is Caturday, so you all know what that means: let's watch a video!
As a birder, one of the things that fascinates me is the motion of birds in flight. Although flying birds lack colour and detail, their behaviours and patterns reveal specific details that make them identifiable to a careful observer. Every species has its own characteristic flocking behaviours and flight patterns that can be used by Earth-bound observers to identify them. This is part of what birders are talking about when they talk about the "jizz" of a species. As a birder, one of the things that fascinates me is the motion of birds in flight. Although flying birds lack colour and detail, their behaviours and patterns reveal specific details that make them identifiable to a careful observer. Every species has its own characteristic flocking behaviours and flight patterns that can be used by Earth-bound observers to identify them. This is part of what birders are talking about when they discuss the "jizz" of a species.
So with that in mind, imagine how helpful it would be to study video of flying birds. Although I suppose this is not his primary motivation, American artist and Rhode Island School of Design Professor Dennis Hlynsky does just that with his video tracings of flying birds.So with that in mind, imagine how helpful it would be to study video of flying birds. Although I suppose this is not his primary motivation, American artist and Rhode Island School of Design Professor Dennis Hlynsky does just that with his video tracings of flying birds.
These are not a time-lapse video; instead, Professor Hlynsky uses a process whereby several frames are simultaneously displayed on screen. Basically, he records the movements of flying birds (or other animals) using a Lumix GH2. He then chooses specific footage to edit with Adobe After Effects [free] to create the visual trails that you see shadowing the flight path of each individual. These are not time-lapse video; instead, Professor Hlynsky uses a process whereby several frames are simultaneously displayed on screen. Basically, he records the movements of flying birds (or other animals) using a Lumix GH2. He then chooses specific footage to edit with Adobe After Effects [free] to create the visual trails that you see shadowing the flight path of each individual bird.
Scientific in their precision, artistic in their beauty, this particular video reveals the intricacy of the aerial choreography of starlings in flight. The birds' flight paths seem to show intentional creativity as they generate arcs and circles across the sky that oscillate between order and chaos: Professor Hlynsky's videos of flying birds are transformed into an artistic experience. Scientific in their precision, artistic in their beauty, this particular video reveals the intricacy of the aerial choreography of starlings in flight. The birds' flight paths seem to show intentional creativity as they generate arcs and circles across the sky, shapes that oscillate between order and chaos: Professor Hlynsky's videos of flying birds are transformed into an artistic experience.
This particular video was captured on Route 6, just a couple minutes across the border from Rhode Island, in the state of Maryland: This particular video was captured on Route 6, just a couple minutes across the border from Rhode Island, in the state of Maryland Massachusetts:
[Video link][Video link]
Watching Professor Hlynsky's videos makes me wonder: where is the boundary between an individual and a flock-member? How does each bird make its individual decision to act? What are the individual genetic and behavioural differences give rise to these seemingly minor differences in decision-making? Watching Professor Hlynsky's videos makes me wonder: where is the boundary between an individual and a flock-member? How does each bird make its individual decision to act? What are the individual genetic and behavioural differences that give rise to these seemingly minor differences in decision-making?
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
NOTE [20:20 9 February 2014]: This piece was edited to correct an error in filming location. This video was shot in Massachusetts, not Maryland. Oops.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Artist and designer Dennis Hlynsky is a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design in the United States. His work can be viewed on Vimeo.Artist and designer Dennis Hlynsky is a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design in the United States. His work can be viewed on Vimeo.
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
GrrlScientist can also be found here: Maniraptora. She's very active on twitter @GrrlScientist and sometimes lurks on social media: facebook, G+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.GrrlScientist can also be found here: Maniraptora. She's very active on twitter @GrrlScientist and sometimes lurks on social media: facebook, G+, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.