I don’t post photos of Turkey Vultures often but yesterday, International Vulture Awareness Day, was perfect timing to have an encounter with them.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
For most of my time with them I didn’t have very good light but it improved slightly when this adult stretched its wings while perched on a lichen-covered rock. As they so often do I thought the bird might take off immediately after the stretch so I was primed for flight shots but this time it didn’t happen.
1/1000, f/7.1/ ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 158mm, not baited, set up or called in
I grabbed my other 7D Mark II and smaller lens to document the scene in front of me. At first I believe there were seven vultures on the rocks but by this time one of them had flown the coop. Only one bird was an adult, the one at middle top with a red head (the bird in the first photo). All the rest were juveniles with gray heads.
At one point the two youngsters on the right…
1/640, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
had a fairly serious squabble. Because of a mysterious increase in exposure that dramatically dropped my shutter speed this photo isn’t particularly sharp but it’s sharp enough to document the fighting behavior. This was one of the very few times I’ve ever witnessed a vulture fight.
Western populations of Turkey Vultures are more migratory than their counterparts in the east and some of our vultures have likely already headed south.
I’m definitely going to miss them during the long winter.
Ron
I was lucky enough to appreciate a Turkey Vulture just yesterday, he was joyriding the favorable breeze and doing repeated high speed short swooping dives and just seemed to be doing it for pleasure.
Today I thought I saw a pair on top of a distant large power transmission tower, but my binoculars proved it to be a pair of Golden Eagles perched comfortably at mid-day. They hung out for more than an hour. I chanced upon a gent who happened to manage that ranch land and he explained that they were indeed Goldens and they have been living there for about 20 years with a nest in a stand of eucalyptus trees nearby. This area is adjacent to the Petaluma River Wetlands, a 10 mile stretch of fine habitat I am lucky enough to have at hand.
So here’s three cheers to the Vultures and Eagles on a beautiful September day.
And here’s a fourth cheer, Dave!
TVs are such magnificent birds. Glad they have their own day! I especially like the wing fling in the first shot.
Thanks, Marty.
I am sure that ‘beak-off’ in the final shot was impressive.
As you know, we don’t have vultures, which I mourn.
“I am sure that ‘beak-off’ in the final shot was impressive”
It was short but pretty intense, EC.
Ron, there is beauty in their ugliness, isn’t there? We saw several of them when we visited Capitol Reef Park last year. There must have been 20 or so of them. Great photos and discussion. Thank you, Ron
There sure is. Thanks, Alice.
We have a family that has been visiting for 4 years these are black vultures and often the red heads will join them. Their mother was injured when two of them were babies and we have fed them chicken at noon ever since. Often a pair of eagles fly in for their snack first and the rest wait until they are gone.If I’m late the original vulture will stroll into our garage and watch the back door until I come out with their meal!
Wow, vultures in your garage! Now that would be a sight!
Nice photos. I especially like the last two, because I don’t see juveniles very often. I’m another big fan of turkey vultures, they’re so social and curious. I didn’t realize they’re more migratory in the west. It’s a shame – some of my fondest bird memories are of turkey vultures playing in the snow.
I’m not sure I’ve ever seen vultures in the snow, Robyn. If I had I think I’d remember it.
Lovely and so many youngsters! I have not seen as many this year in Northern Utah, but then I have not been birding as much in the areas I see them. They have been plentiful in Southern Utah but always up high in the sky. How was the birding yesterday? Now with school in I have so much to catch up on around the yard and we have had an endless stream of bird releases at my house this year. The feedings, dishes and cleaning all take time. Maybe next weekend I will get out.
Birding was slow up there, April. The vultures and a single Golden Eagle were the highlights but not much more.
That’s exciting. The Vultures here are getting ready to head up to Mojave River basin. Nice shots!
Thanks, Jean.
How in the heck did you know it was International Turkey Vulture Awareness day? I googled it just to see if this was a belated April Fool’s joke. You never cease to amaze.
Lyle, wish I could take credit for an incredible memory or an extra dose of intuition but ITVAD is all over social media.
Once again my comments didn’t go to the top but within another’s comments. There seems to be some trouble with my browser. Most comments disappeared as I. pushed Post Reply then returned when the screen refreshed. Some days are just like that.
Dan, I wish I knew the cause. Or at least a solution. But it baffles me.
I have my fingers crossed regarding your upcoming remission report!
Oh and a friend of mine has a breeding pair of black vultures nesting in her barn in Pennsylvania. They DON’T migrate, but instead, have now grown to trust her and visit her closely every day! I’m so envious! 😉
I LOVE vultures and I’ve been blessed to work with several of them over the years! They’re outstanding critters, and like you, I really miss them when they migrate out of here!
I have a three-year-old Brittany (silly bird dog) who lives to chase all the birds off my property, yipping and screaming all the while as if somebody installed a fire cracker up his behind! (I did NOT do that! LOL!) The cool thing is that the local vultures love to play with him! They’ll glide over the house and fly really LOW over the property. Cody gives chase, but has to stop at the fence. The vultures turn around and fly LOW over the property again, inviting his chase. The vultures will generally make three to five passes before they seemingly tire of the game, but a little while later–maybe hours, maybe days–they’ll do it again. I really need to get a video of this behavior, but I never have my phone with me when it happens! And of course, when I go to get it, the behavior stops! DARGH!
I hate it when they leave, and their departure is imminent. I’m hoping to get the HAHAs out before they go. Sometimes, the HAHAs will join in flight games with them.
Have I mentioned that I LOVE birds/critters> We’re so darn lucky to have them! I SO wish humans would GET that!!
Laura, your Brittany/vulture shenanigans would be a blast to watch. If you ever get it on video I’d love to see it!
BEAUTIFUL and never thought I’d say that about a vulture! 🙂 We don’t have them so have only seen them when I’ve traveled elsewhere and mainly said UGH! 😉 They are one of the world’s “sanitation crews” and needed. Your photos have definitely given me a little different perspective on them…. 🙂 Thx!
Judy, for me they have their own unique beauty. And even charm…
Great shots as usual.
Our Turkey Vultures are diminishing, but a few are still hanging out. End of last week we had 11 circling in the sky over us, (we weren’t worried), yesterday saw only two.
Thanks, Dick.
It’s hard to pick a favorite bird, but Turkey Vultures would certainly be one of my top choices. They are very intelligent, curious creatures. Some say they’re ugly, but imagine a robin without head feathers. They have their own beauty and are vital to a healthy ecosystem. I love them and I’m glad to see your photos. Thanks for sharing them.
Thank you, Dan. As a member of the (almost) bald community myself I would never denigrate anyone or anything because of their lack of natural head adornment…
Your second photo looks like a lecture from ‘the old wise one’ is taking place. I like the way they tend to gather together and you are right about their fighting…I don’t think I’ve witnessed very much of it if at all. They are a strange lot for sure both appearance wise and action. For me they are one of those birds that tend to ‘grow on you’ for what ever reason. Their ‘teetery’ soaring and circling style as they look for carrion sets them apart from other birds. You know it’s one of them without ever seeing the white undersides to their wings. They are not as plentiful now so I was thinking the migration has started for them around here also. Since I drive to MI once or twice a week I always see them flying…so much road-kill for them to take care of. My favorite term…’RoadSide Sanitation Crew’ …what would we do without them!
Kathy, they begin to migrate in late August so I’m confident some of yours have already left.
It’s always exciting in the spring when I see my first “teetering” raptor in the sky overhead with their characteristic soaring style. I truly do miss them in the winter.
Aren’t they amazing? See them soaring in CNY. Great photos.
They are, Sarah. Thanks.