This might seem counter-intuitive, given that the summer solstice just happened in the northern hemisphere, but I can’t resist this amazing video, which signals the beginning of winter.

Two young Scottish women went out for a late afternoon canoe ride and fortunately one of them remembered to bring her video camera. What they caught was truly amazing, and spiritual. Watch the variation of color and intensity of the patterns that the birds make in proximity to one other. And take a look at the girl in the bow of the canoe watching the aerial display.

No one knows why they do it. Yet each fall, thousands of starlings dance in the twilight above Gretna, Scotland. The birds gather in magical shape-shifting flocks called murmurations, having migrated in the millions from Russia and Scandinavia to escape winter.

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—in the giant flock.

Ironically, many in Britain consider the starlings a pest, but in this video they are a complete delight.

A chance encounter and shared moment with one of natures greatest and most fleeting phenomena. This video is truly incredible! Enjoy!

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