Okay, I know this blog is supposed to be about books, but I have so many other interests and passions, I just decided to “take a bird walk” in another direction. This is a beautiful time of year – my favorite season – and I like to take time to appreciate the beauty around me, so please indulge me while I digress….
Recently, I have become obsessed with clouds. Sometime during the summer, I started looking at them in a new way (I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now… Is anyone old enough to catch the 60′s song reference?) I began to take pictures of clouds whenever I could. I started carrying my camera with me when I drove around, and when I’d stop at stop lights, I’d hang my head out of the window to capture a particularly beautiful cloud formation. They just made me feel good – uplifted, inspired – you name it. This is one of my favorites:
Speaking of appreciating the beauty of nature, a video was posted on the Facebook page of a former student. (I taught Melanie in high school my first year as a teacher, so she is just a few years younger than me. She is always posting wonderful things on Facebook!) Anyway, the video caught my eye because it was called “Murmuration.” From our study of collective nouns, I knew that a murmuration is a group of starlings, so I was naturally curious. What I saw was amazing (once you get past the girls in the canoe at the beginning of the video) and I was struck by the beauty of it. Please check out the link below (and turn up the volume when the music starts – it adds to the experience!)
Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.
It’s like ocean waves…. How about that for the awesome power of nature!
Truly a beautiful way to start my day. Thank you Meredith!
I remember when Ms. Carter showed are class that video and remember thinking how awesome it would be to see that in person because that is a one in a lifetime opportunity to see.
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now. From up and down. And still somehow, it’s life’s illusions I recall. I really don’t clouds – at all.
Yes, I recognized the reference without the hint! Loved the video, too. Thanks for the digression. I needed it, too.