An exaggerated stretching pose if there ever was one.
On a trip five days ago to the west desert I got my first decent photos of Turkey Vultures this year. Most of them were unremarkable but one vulture gave me an exaggerated stretching pose that I thought was both unusual and interesting. Even appealing.
1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
‘He’ tipped his entire body down at an extreme angle, brought his wings up and forward and raised and flared his tail – all at the same time. The position of his tail might suggest that he was about to poop, or had pooped, but it didn’t happen. This was a stretch and nothing more.
It was a leisurely stretch that allowed me to document it with many photos and I even had a good light angle with the rising sun almost directly behind me. The bird’s a little tight in the frame but I was close to him so when he raised his wings, this was all the room I had up top.
I really like the background bokeh and colors and I think his slightly open beak adds a little interest. In other photos his beak was open more but his wings weren’t raised quite as high.
In addition to their unattractive head, vultures typically look more than a little scruffy but I think this guy cleaned up nicely, at least for a vulture. Even his legs and feet are lacking the ‘whitewash’ (staining from uric acid) they usually have on them from deliberately pooping on them as a means of thermoregulation. The uric acid, being an acid, might also work as an antiseptic wash. Given their nasty diet, that might come in handy
But it’s the pose that I found most interesting.
Ron
Happy Natal Return day. And??? Vulture yoga?
Ron. I’m curious as to why turkey vultures have feathers on there neck unlike vultures fron Africa which are featherless to there shoulders. Is it because the carrion they consume are much larger ungulates like Cape Buffalo
Good question, Steven. I don’t know but your “theory” sounds like it could have merit.
After thinking about my theory I don’t buy it. Years ago on a fishing trip I came across a range cow that had expired. A cottonwood tree in the vicinity was loaded with turkey vultures that had there fill. I thought they have feathered necks because there not neck deep in the cavities of large carrion. Judging from the carcass I couldn’t believe they weren’t consuming the external ogans. Maybe because they live in a cold weather environment unlike the dark contingent.
Happy Birthday.
Yet another reason to be a tad jealous of birds. If I attempted a stretch like that I would go base over apex. Quickly. And with no grace.
I do envy you your vultures.
EC, when I stretch I get horrendous cramps in my legs. I can thank my bad back (and possibly the surgeries) for that.
“Base over apex” – I like that. Must be another Oz-ism.
I think it is a father-ism. He also used arse over tit.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Neat capture to catch this position . Yes I have watched birds stretch like this. I always wonder how they keep balance. It must feel good!
Thanks, April. Stretching probably feels good to them, just like it does to us.
I like the pose. Turkey Vultures are one of my favorites in any pose. As for the bald head – it serves a good purpose and I try to put it in perspective by telling people to image a robin without feathers on its head. It’s then still a robin and still an attractive and interesting bird. This pose reminds me of a time I was giving a talk at Cascades Raptor Center. The vulture did a somewhat similar stretch just before launching itself off of its perch right at me. Fortunately the tether was not long enough to reach me. It was a big surprise for us as that bird has always been very calm around us and usually always came calmly across its enclosure to greet me on the other side of the fence as I approached.
Interesting story about that vulture, Dan. It almost sounds like it was trying to attack you.
Oh my, that is a interesting photo catch of the Turkey Vulture. A good catch for the day!
Glad you like it, Trudy. Thanks.
Excellent shot of an interesting pose. One of nature’s most important creatures who are responsible for clean up. I frequently see them here and have come upon them cleaning up deer who have been brought down by mountain lions as well as just the usual road kill etc. There ugly heads are made that way for the job they do, but their wing spans are beautiful. I have watched them at a place here in the pine forests where they do their warm ups before heading out and it is really interesting to watch. They do stretching and a number of short flights until they are ready to go and do their clean up job.
Thanks, Everett. They’re interesting and useful birds, no question about it.
It is indeed an interesting pose. It looks like the bird could be “airing things out” drying itself.
You catch the most unique things/poses
Take Care,
Kaye
” It looks like the bird could be “airing things out” drying itself.”
Kaye, it was soon after sunrise and I’m pretty sure I woke him up. I think he was just stretching after sleeping.
That is a real interesting pose. Well done! It is so symmetrical. I have only seen a young Barred Owl doing something quite similar.
Thanks, Bruce. Yes, I’ve seen some owls performing similar stretches.
VERY nice! 🙂 For a vulture it was looking neat and tidy. Pose is interesting.
Happy Birthday, Ron – another trip around the sun complete… 😉 Hopefully there are many more! 🙂
3+ inches of rain since Mon. evening – unusual for us! Wind was horrific to go with it.
Thanks for the birthday wishes, Judy. I can’t believe I’m that ******* old.
I’ve been hearing about your nasty weather up there. Cousin Jim and his wife (snowbirds) are actually putting off their return to the farm for a couple of more weeks because of that weather.
To me, this half-folded wing somehow communicates the enormous
size of it even better then a fully-unfurled one does–maybe because
it’s so clearly a functioning LIMB, not just a flat 2 dimensional sail.
Never thought I’d see a vulture looking so spiffy and handsome !
“Never thought I’d see a vulture looking so spiffy and handsome.”
I had the same reaction, Kris. I think he looks pretty darn good.
He’s channeling his inner 1970s USPS eagle logo — albeit a little tilted. 😉 Oh, to be close enough to a TV to have it fill the frame. I’m a more than a tad envious. (That’s also a request to post one of the sunning shots. 😂) I especially appreciate seeing the lighter ventral surface of the primaries and secondaries. Such a handsome bird, bald head and all! ❤️
Marty, I’ve always thought bald is beautiful but I have my own reasons for that.
Just so you know, the vultures should still be here this fall…
OHBOYOHBOYOHBOY!!! VBG, as Dick would say. 😃
My husband would agree with your sentiments. 😉
Wow! Great capture of a unique pose. Yoga for Turkey Vultures.
Thank you, Brett.
Think it is the best (at least most interesting) photo of a Turkey Vulture that I have ever seen. Typically the most interesting pose for these birds have is that open-wing sunning position. This pose has all the makings of a hieroglyph or group emblem.
I’m glad you like it that much, Michael. I think it’s pretty special too.
I got lots of shots of this vulture, and one other, in that “open-wing sunning posture” but I was a little too close to them, so the vultures were either too tight in the frame or I clipped their wings. Or both.