Day 64 - birds in flight

Birds in flight - such a delight.  They soar and glide and seem so free.  No passport, no country.  No wonder they say free as a bird.

Whenever they fly overhead, I am filled with gladness and wonder, each one with their characteristic flying style.  The large water birds with their legs stretched out behind and their beaks in front looking like graceful ballet dancers, (except the pelican which looks like a bomber aircraft).  Then there are the raptors that look powerful and fierce with their talons and hooked beaks and large wingspans.  The littler woodland birds - swift and jittery.

Flight is energy intensive and the birds know all the tricks of their trade, riding the monsoon winds to migrate those long distances, using the thermals to circle above and  keeping their feathers in good condition. 

I saw them in action today at Chembarambakkam lake. 

The grey heron flew in a dignified and measured manner

while the Oriental Darter seemed to be focussed on its mission,

The Glossy Ibis flew with grace and in formation 

and the Asian Palm Swifts were well, swift  and acrobatic.

But in the end, it was the Oriental Pratincoles that stole the aerial show.  They flew in formation, soaring left and then suddenly right, going down as if to land, only to take off again.  

The mystery of murmurations!  The moment stays with you, the wonder of it all.  The sheer joy of flight and the infinite possibilities.  

I think I would like to be a bird.