I had a busy day yesterday.
I spent 7+ hours on a birding trip to the west desert and after I got home my vegetable garden was screaming at me to do some long-delayed weeding and other chores. So most of the rest of the day was taken up by yard work and my mandatory afternoon nap, which left no time for reviewing and processing the more than 1500 photos I took that morning.
So today I decided to focus on two of the many Turkey Vultures I photographed in their iconic spread-wing postures.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Most of them, like this one, were in incredibly busy and cluttered settings. In some cases there was so much brush surrounding them there seemed to be no room for them to spread both wings. But a couple of them turned and twisted and finagled until they could do it anyway. Turkey Vultures take this posture seriously.
I’d stopped to talk to my friends Jim and Star who live along the remote road and they told me about some of the pioneer history of the area, which I’m always fascinated by. If we hadn’t jabbered for so long, I’d almost certainly have missed most of the vultures I photographed yesterday. Thanks Jim and Star.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Only one of the vultures I photographed in spread-wing postures gave me a clean and nearly symmetrical look, which I appreciated after so many jumbled up settings.
Turkey Vultures molt their primaries sequentially, from innermost to outermost, and I couldn’t help but notice the new darker primary growing in on the left wing of this bird.
In news about other birds, I’m finally noticing more raptors (mostly buteos) in this area after at least a year of unusually low numbers. Many of them appear to be juveniles, which suggests that raptors had, or are having, a productive nesting season.
If so, it’s about time.
Ron
That sounds like a huge day and would have me in recovery mode for quite a while. I so understand the demands of both your passion for birds and the vegie garden.
And am grateful for these stunning shots of those spread wings…
EC, I think I overdid it in the garden today. That’s all I did for the entire morning and now, after my nap, I can barely move. Recovery mode indeed.
Nice images.
Thanks, April.
Love the pose of each. It’s a great way to warm up in the morning.
Turkey Vultures have always been one of my favorite birds. One of my very first serious birding experiences long ago was observation of a Turkey Vulture nest on the ground in a very dense and brushy woodland. Seeing to downy white youngsters grow was a treat.
ul
Interesting story, Dan. Thanks for sending me the photo of the vulture chick.
Beautiful, both of them. And both looking at you, “you like this pose?”
As gorgeous in their own way as the peacock you posted the other day. Totally appropriate as gateway statues!
I’m glad you remembered that peacock, Carolyn. An interesting comparison.
Nice post and photos. I have always said that our Turkey Vultures have such a beautiful wingspan. Forget the head nature gave them for their purpose, and you have a beautiful bird.
Thanks, Everett. And thanks also for the interesting article you sent me.
So you’ll come out to CA for Michael, but not for me. I get how it is. 😉😂😈 Definite party at Michael’s! I could see a TV atop a weather vane too. (Found a couple of rather cartoonish vulture weather vanes and one Turkey Vulture whirligig for sale — amazing what’s on the Interwebs.)
Love these TV shots — such a classic pose! Even though the first shot is a bit crowded, it’s my favorite of the two because of the over-the-shoulder look the TV is giving you. Noticed the left inner primary growing in as well, thanks to your prior tutelage. Glad you’re seeing more Buteos!
“So you’ll come out to CA for Michael, but not for me.”
Ha, I thought you might see that and take me to task for it. In Michael’s case, I thought I was safe with the stipulation that he provide food, drinks and lodging.
When Michael lets you know that he has his vulture-decorated
driveway entrance, I’d love to come along and see it, too ! Vultures
in the wing-lift pose remind me, strangely enough, of ballerinas
( probably in “Swan Lake” )–yeah, a weird association, I know…..
Good idea, Kris. We’ll have a Feathered Photography reunion, Drinks and food (and lodging) provided by Michael of course.
😉
That second one is a classic.
There is something about that pose that makes a therefore-I-am-like statement that transcends the otherwise unattractive scavenger into a noble icon of the air. Don’t think I am alone on this.
I was once birding in an area of Central California near Fort Hunter Liggett. There was this entry to a ranch where the two gate posts were each topped by stylized metal figurines of Turkey Vultures in that classic pose. It really made a statement. I remember thinking that if I ever had a gated drive that I would top the posts with just such a sculpture.
“Don’t think I am alone on this.”
You aren’t, Michael.
When you get that ranch, and those metal vulture figurines, I want to pay you a visit. I’ll bring my camera…
Beautiful birds even with an ugly head 😉 Molting sequence is interesting – guess with a lot of soaring they need to keep most in tact during the process.
Yeh, garden and yard in general are screaming for attention this time of year… 😉
Magpies have moved their fledglings to escape the harassment of the Grackles and Robins. I detoured around the area mowing yesterday as they are pretty close to the ground and….
Judy, to me Turkey Vultures nearly always appear to have scraggly plumage. Maybe it’s a result of both their lifestyle and a drawn-out molting sequence.
Good for you for not disturbing the fledglings.