THESE exquisite images show starlings swirling and swooping as one in dramatic, cloud-like flocks known as murmurations. Shot by , better known for portraits of the likes of Bj枚rk and Paul McCartney, they are from a new collection of his photos.
As a child growing up in southern Denmark near the Wadden Sea, Solk忙r had been entranced by starling murmurations. Returning years later, he witnessed a large group of these birds being attacked by a peregrine falcon. 鈥淭he shapes and formations the flock created, in order to scare off the attacking bird of prey, blew my mind 鈥� beautiful, dramatic and resembling a Japanese ink drawing or a piece of calligraphy,鈥� he says.
After three years capturing the phenomenon, known as 鈥渂lack sun鈥� in Denmark, he expanded the project to other parts of Europe. Shown in the main image is Black Sun #145, taken above Rome鈥檚 Piazza Venezia from a nearby rooftop. Moving clockwise, Black Sun #50, above, was taken in Glastonbury, UK, while below is Black Sun #230, photographed in Sardinia, Italy, early one morning as the birds left their roost.
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鈥淚 believe that patterns in nature speak to us human beings on a deep, universal level,鈥� says Solk忙r. 鈥淭here is joy and recognition when we experience these pure forms. To me, they seem to form a kind of language that I believe many people can relate to. Ultimately, I am hoping to inspire a deeper connection with nature 鈥� and to ourselves.鈥�
These images feature in his new book , a sequel to Black Sun. Solk忙r鈥檚 photos are on show at the , Seattle, until 10 March.
