Murmuration of starlings: How our stunning front-page photograph was taken

 

 

You look at the photograph of the murmuration of starlings once, and then twice, with rising awe, because something else astonishing is happening in it. James Crombie’s spectacular image of the murmuration over Lough Ennell, in Co Westmeath, is itself in the shape of a giant, otherworldly bird.

Crombie, who was named press photographer of the year just last week, at the Press Photographers Association of Ireland awards, spent several months chasing this picture for The Irish Times.