Individuals have their own unique perception of beauty. In 1813, John James Audubon had the opportunity to experience the extremely rare phenomenon of seeing incredible masses of pigeons in flight. In 1974, Annie Dillard witnessed an event similar to Audubon's, except for the flocks of starlings she encountered. Both writers recorded their engagement with birds. Both writers also captured the splendor of the spectacle, calling it “extreme” and “unexpected.” The only occasion where the perspectives of the two writers match is in recognition of the beauty that was found in the wonder they witnessed. Although Audubon and Dillard both realize the magnificence of the phenomenon, their general perspectives and how they are affected by their experiences differ. Audubon and Dillard have opposing views in terms of depicting flocks of birds. Audubon begins his passage by stating that he "observed" birds flying in "greater numbers" than he had ever seen in the past. He describes this first encounter as a scientific investigation, detecting that there are a strangely abundant amount of pigeons in flight. Then he began "counting" the flocks of birds, making a "point for each passing flock", and stopping 21 minutes after finding the task he had undertaken "impractical". Audubon attempts to gather quantitative information about the pigeons as a typical objective scientist would, and the fact that he stopped counting as soon as he felt it was of no use or that there was no more reason for doing so proves that Audubon observed the birds objectively. Later that day, Audubon mentions how he had unsuccessfully conducted several "trials" to "reach" and "disturb" the birds with his... middle of paper ...... and real excitement, although the reasons were still scientific. The birds' effects on Dillard, on the other hand, contrasted with how the birds had affected Audubon. During his entire encounter with the starlings, Dillard “didn’t move” at all. She was hypnotized from the moment the birds first appeared to her until they disappeared into the woods. As the birds disappeared into the trees, she “stood with difficulty” with her “lungs spread [roaring].” Ultimately, Dillard was appalled by the magnificence of the flocks in flight. how they are affected by their experiences differs. Ultimately, both writers expose their own perceptions of beauty through their encounter with the birds, even though Audubon saw beauty in reality, and Dillard saw it in his own intertwined thoughts and emotions..