“In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.” – Robert Lynd

To me, one of the gentlest sounds that I have ever heard is that of a flock of birds taking off. Regardless of the size of the flock and the bird, the whispering whoosh of the combined wing flaps is a mesmerising sound.

This is an image of a small flock of Indian Silverbills taking off. Shot last week near the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary near Hampi.  The gentle yet purposeful sound of the combined wingflaps made me put down my camera for a while and just listen to them. Bliss.