A herd is in shock! Photographer captures the moment 5,000 birds create an exclamation mark in the sky
A flock of birds screamed at the fowl dramatically when a predator swooped in to kill it – forcing them to form the shape of an exclamation mark.
Photographer Nuray Gonulalan was amazed when she looked up and saw the familiar punctuation symbol – often associated with shock or panic – hovering above her.
She grabbed her camera and captured the pack of birds in their striking formation as they desperately tried to escape Lake Mogan, Ankara, Turkey.
‘Like a cartoon’: Photographer Nuray Gonulalan captured a flock of birds that formed an exclamation mark as they were attacked by a predator in Lake Mogan, Ankara, Turkey
Whipped into shape: The flock of birds also formed a tornado shape in the sky
Stunned: Photographer Nuray Gonulalan
Ms Gonulalan said: ‘It was an amazing chance to catch the sign, which is recognized by everyone.
“It was my lucky day, I got a lot of pictures from this event. Nature was very generous with me that day.
Nuray was patiently on the lookout hoping to photograph a rare bird when she spotted the flock swooping out of the corner of her eye.
But after being distracted by the stunning shape of the group, she quickly turned her attention to the flock which included around 5,000 birds.
She said: “It was almost like they were screaming for help – like you would see in a cartoon.
“There were between 4,000 and 5,000 Sturnus Vulgaris birds present which set their direction of flight by the sun. When the predator took hold, they began to create interesting shapes and flying formations in order to avoid it.
“It was an amazing show – I’ll never forget it. It was a visual feast that changed every second. I couldn’t stop watching until the end.
