As the Starlings Fly

Over the past few months, I’ve been captivated by the breathtaking phenomenon of starling murmuration’s right outside my balcony in D.C. Each evening, I eagerly anticipated this enchanting display, smiling at the thought of witnessing nature’s artistry unfold before my eyes.

With a sense of excitement, I’d head out to my balcony, listening closely for the telltale rustle of wings in the trees below. And there they were—the branches alive with the flurry of countless starlings, each preparing for their grand departure. Then, in a breathtaking moment, the trees would empty, and off they would soar, one coherent flock weaving intricate patterns through the urban landscape. 

It was mesmerizing to watch them change directions in the blink of an eye, creating fantastical shapes that danced across the dusky sky. The beauty of it all left me utterly spellbound—nature’s symphony in motion. The rhythm, the sound, and the hypnotic formations stirred something within me. I now wanted to paint in the same way they fly.