Mysteries in slow motion: Videos offer a glimpse into an aerial world we never see

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Rough, tough world: A sparrow clings on as a bully barges him out of the way at the feeder before pushing him away with his leg

A series of high-speed animal flight videos are producing an amazing glimpse aerial world most of us have never seen before.
Amateurs videographers, with a bit of luck, can use inexpensive digital cameras to turn blurred images into clear illustrations of animal and insect behaviour.
A Dutch programme named Vilegkunstenaars asked videographers and animal lovers around the world to capture nature in flight, digg.com reports.
They sent high speed video tools to amateurs and the results that came back were stunning.

Upside down: A goose, top of picture, is seen turning around so it flies with its back to the ground and his belly facing the sky

In one year the contest attracted 460 amateurs who between uploaded more than 2,400 slow-motion video clips that were taken on their complimentary cameras.
The jury was made up of video experts, philosophers and scientists.
They picked their favourites, most of which are featured in still pictures here.
The videos are all viewable on Youtube or at flightartists.com.
Among the highlights is footage showing the less than friendly of the sparrow.
They make look small and sweet but they inhabitat harsh, dog eat dog world.

Aerial crash: A bee gets excited at the sight of a big white flower and flies straight into a bumble bee

Showing off: Two pigeons pretend not to notice as a great tit hovers and puts on a show

The video shows a group of sparrows around a bird feeder.
One bird comes along and kocks another biird out of the feeding hole.
It then uses its legs to the push the other bird right out of the way.

Angelic movements: With broad, elegant sweep, a dove flies in to show everyone how graceful it is

Round in circles: A fly does a somersault bwefore regaining its composure and making off

Another clip shows a fly doing a somersault.
Experimental zoologist David Lentink, of Wageningen University, said: 'Research into fruit flies has shown that when trying to escape, they first jump and then topple into flight before eventually gaining control.
'This film illustrates the same behavior in a larger fly, the main difference being that [this] fly is exceptionally quick in getting the whole maneuver under control.'













source: dailymail