Wild Birds - Turkey Vulture

Turkey Vulture, Turkey Buzzard, buzzard, vulture - no matter the name these scavengers do their job even with a face some say only a mother could love. Coming home from the grocery store this week I rounded a turn and scared this guy from his afternoon road kill. He flew to a nearby tree and posed for me. He wasn't about to go very far from his meal ticket just because I wanted a photo!

Linking to Wild Birds with Stewart

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! :)

Posted for Wild Bird Wednesday.

Camera CrittersNot The Prettiest Bird In The Flock

In my corner of the world there are many rural roads one often finds themselves on. This photo was taken on one of those such roads. As we rounded a bend in the road a small field to the right of the road had been cut. I saw this vulture not five feet from the road. I was afraid as soon as the Jeep stopped he would fly. I went ahead and rolled my window down, readied the camera and in truth probably prayed a little.

As soon as the Jeep rolled to a stop I sighted and clicked. A one shot wonder it turns out because immediately on hearing that click he flew which I knew he would do. I'm reminded of the eeriness of what happened next. Driving away I watched him as he headed for the small river opposite the field. As he flew across and down the river other vultures rose up out of the field and followed to the tree tops. I know there were probably ten or more.

I swear I could hear Hitchcock music playing in the background!

Be sure to click on the Camera Critters Badge to visit our host Misty Dawn and all the other participants posting their favorite critters. You never know what you'll find!

The Closing of Opening Doors

A photo challenge hosted by Jientje of Heaven In Beligum.

Monday when I invited you up to my front door you weren't sure what to expect during your visit this week as I took you around and showed you the doors here Round The Bend. Let's go through the open doorway from the living room into the sunroom and out onto the deck. You can see Heidi is already waiting for someone to open the screen door.
Out on the patio there is iced tea in vintage aluminum cups and yummy cookies waiting for you. Look Melli, there's even a chocolate zinger just for you!

When the cookies are all gone we can kick back in our chairs and listen to the music pouring out of the sliding glass doors.

The turkey vultures will no doubt be flying over the rooftop gliding in the breeze that is gently blowing around us.

We could just lay our heads back on the cushions of our chairs and stare at the sky.

When it's time for you to go please remember to shut the gate to the deck.

As you leave you'll walk through the arbor to the driveway.

When you get out under the arbor remember to turn and give a wave; because, after all, backdoor friends are best!!

Thank you Jientje for hosting the Opening Doors challenge this week. It was a wonderful idea for a photo challenge and you have been an awesome host!

Camera-Critters Kitties and Deer and Vultures, Oh My!

Camera-Critters is hosted by Misty Dawn. Each week we post photos of our favorite critters. To see other participants or to join in the fun click on the camera icon. You just never know what you will see!

My previous posts this week have been about a visit to my son and daughter-in-law. These two lovely kitties are my "Grandpaws" as we like to say. They are as sweet as can be and as soft and furry as they look.

The Kitties

This is Jack who just couldn't seem to keep his eyes open! He had been sleeping on his window seat and heard us wandering around and sat up but he wasn't really ready to end his nap.

A rare shot of Jack laying down on the patio! Jack is usually running here and there and it's hard to capture him on camera. If you enlarge this one you can better see how the light caught his eyes and reflected. I thought it made him look rather cool. His eyes really are the same color.

This is Susie! She likes sleeping!

The Deer

A couple of weeks ago you may remember I posted a deer that had come to visit. This week's visitor was very brave. I took this through my sunroom window. She was less than ten feet from the side of the house. In the bottom right corner of the photo you can see part of my flowerbed. Luckily there wasn't anything in bloom at the moment that she wanted to nibble so she wandered on into the nearby woods.

The Vultures

We rounded the bend on our rural road Tuesday evening and this was the sight that greeted us.

We often see vultures flying or standing beside the road. I wasn't prepared to see a whole army guarding one piece of roadkill! Ah, country life! You can't beat it!

V is for Vultures

These are common Turkey Vultures or many in North America refer to them as Turkey Buzzards or simply buzzards. They feast almost exclusively on the carcass of dead animals - ugh!

Beautiful in flight, up close - not so much!!!

These were flying above some penned in chickens at a neighboring home. The first shot I literally stopped in the middle of the road because they were right above me and I shot the image through the windshield. Therefore, it isn't as clear as I'd like. The later shot I had a chance to roll the window down. The road I was on is the rural road I travel so stopping in the middle of it wasn't dangerous in case you thought I might be a tad bit out of my mind.

I always hope for a nice brown hawk; but, I take what I can get!

For more Alphabet Photo Challenge participants please visit Quilly!