The flight patterns of birds is a fascinating thing to study, but a hard one to visualize, as their soaring and swooping doesnโt leave a trail, the way a jet does.
However,ย Barcelona-based photographerย Xavi Bouย has come up with a way to picture a birdโs flight, and the resulting images are quite astounding.
Using frame-by-frame layered video stills, Bouโs images showcase flight patterns that range from jagged stripes to complex, chaotic swirls.
Indeed, though he didnโt know quite what the resulting images would look like, he was stunned by the way the flights came to life.
National Geographic has a great article on the subject, and an entire issue dedicated to birds.

Bird flights become like zippers across the sky.
Some of the paths look like sea serpents.
Others, like this huge group of starlings, appear like mythical swarms.

He has named his series โOrnitografรญasโ, and they showcase the beauty and complexity of flight.

Flocks of seagulls create complex patterns off of the ocean surface.


An arctic tern creates an unusual shape as it takes flight.

A group of corn buntings seem to erupt out of the ground.



A beautifully ornate pattern made up of a flock ofย Northern lapwings.



Yellow-legged gulls and white storks in flight.
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9 Comments
Godโs creation is truly magnanimous!!
These would be perfect for wall sized murals.
Phantasmagoricalistic!
Thank you for the great comment!
So magnificently beautiful! Saving this forever and thank you for sharing.
Nature never ceases to amaze!
Thanks for the comment!
Fascinating and beautiful
Mesmerizing!