Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Wild Bird Wednesday: Turkey Vultures

Returning home on a recent day last week we rounded a bend in the road and this is what greeted us. Hubs stopped so I could try to get a shot or two before they flew away. These first shots are through the windshield so my apologies that they are somewhat fuzzy. Notice the guy in front has staked his claim on the roadkill.
Hubs inched a little closer and this guy looked like he would take off at any minute. Actually I got a few more fuzzy shots and we inched a little closer.
He had actually walked away from his lunch and gave one last glance back.
He then decided it was time to go. We hadn't noticed the one hanging out up ahead on the guardrail.

At that point Hubs could steer to the left and I rolled down my window and got a fairly decent shot of this guy but he didn't hang around for more than one shot.
This shot is from my archives. I think the best way to enjoy these guys is when they are up high and soaring. That way, you don't have to look at their faces! :)

26 comments:

eileeninmd said...

They are interesting looking birds. Great captures, Carletta. I like the one in the street protecting its food.

diane b said...

They are big dudes and I agree about their faces but you have captured them well.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great pictures of the vultures, Carletta. They are not pretty birds for sure, but they do serve a purpose...

Don't miss my blog today.
Hugs,
Betsy

Rosie@leavesnbloom said...

Oh Carletta these are just superb - I would love to be able to capture scenes like this - a bird in flight is so hard to capture.

I hope you were able to shoot the guitar again. I had mine on a dark wooden patio table facing west as the sun was going down - the border behind was in the shade and was almost black. I wanted the light to catch on the strings so I shot straight into the sun.

MaineBirder said...

Very nice captures of the Vultures! Not a bird that would win a beauty contest, but they are interesting.

Unknown said...

Great sequence, Carletta!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

kayerj said...

we've had large flocks migrating through. I think the vulture is a fascinating bird--love your pictures.

Unknown said...

Wonderful shots! you must be very pleased - it isn't easy to get shots like that!

theconstantwalker said...

What a beautiful bird to see.
No wild vultures in the UK... a lovely bird to see.
Many thanks for sharing.

Amila said...

They are interesting birds,never mind the faces!:)

George said...

I agree that Turkey Vultures look best when seen from a distance. Still, I'm glad you were able to get some closeups. I wonder if they went back for their lunch?

Springman said...

As "ugly" as these birds are they sure make for some compelling photographs. Well done!

Anonymous said...

Your first photo remembers me of my only sighting of Wild Turkeys: on the street just like those Turkey Vultures :-)
You got some nice shots here.

Bill S. said...

One persons waste is another person's ....... I love to watch them soar. Great post.

Neal said...

Sorry but those things are UGLY. :) Even so you managed to get some good pictures of them. My favorite photo is the last one and I'll leave it up to you to decide why. :)

Fotokarusellen said...

Maybe not pretty in the face, but beautiful in the air. A great post and very nice images. Well done!
The lesson must be - never forget your camera.

JunieRose2005 said...

Good pictures! We see these birds often out here in the country! They ARE beautiful in flight!

Pat said...

Some nice captures here! I love to see them soaring - so beautiful and graceful in flight! Unfeathered head may not be pretty, but very practical for eating carrion!

Pat said...

I think you did a pretty good job capturing these big ugly guys! They look pretty soaring up in the sky, but close up? Not so much!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You're so right about not looking at their faces -- and also not looking at the "banquet" they're dining on. But they have a job to do and I guess we should be grateful to them. (We always joke about moving a little faster when we see them circling though -- so they'll know we're alive!)

Anonymous said...

What lovely feathers he has!

SquirrelQueen said...

They may have faces only a mother would love but when they soar they are beautiful. Glad you were able to get some shots.

Antonella said...

Oh my - we have them too, and they are huge!!! You captured some great shots! Hugs, antonella :-)

Mike B. @ slugyard.com said...

Call me crazy, but I like their faces! Excellent shots- I get excited when vultures fly over our house (assuming they are going to find food somewhere else)

EG CameraGirl said...

They aren't very attractive close up, that's for sure. :))

Stephany said...

The faces of nightmares. I've waited years for Stephen King to write a story about Turkey Vultures! Fuzzy or not, these are great shots. :)