Yesterday Was A Turkey Vulture Kind Of Day
And I enjoyed the hell out of it. Turkey Vultures have been gone for far too long and I’ve missed having them around.
Tag: turkey vulture
Yesterday’s Turkey Vultures
I don’t post photos of Turkey Vultures often but yesterday, International Vulture Awareness Day, was perfect timing to have an encounter with them.
Just Part Of The Price Of Being A Turkey Vulture
Nine Recent Birds, Nine Different Species
Turkey Vultures Stretching And Taking Off Yesterday Morning
Despite the mostly poor light it was an interesting morning for birds and wildlife and I did manage to get some vulture photos I like.
Thermoregulating Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vultures Doing What Turkey Vultures Do
A Few Recent Raptors (four species)
A potpourri of raptors I’ve photographed within the last two weeks in northern Utah. For varying reasons I think each image has at least some merit.
Compositional Games With Two Turkey Vultures On A Rustic Corral
When viewers see in image in its “final” form they typically have no inkling of the various compositional versions of that image that may have been considered and rejected during processing.
Potpourri – A Few Recent Birds, Critters And Experiences
Four bird, one mammal and two “experience” photos – all taken within the last several weeks.
A Turkey Vulture Kind Of Morning
The Genus name Cathartes means “purifier” and on this morning the Turkey Vultures were working hard at deserving the moniker.
Turkey Vulture In Warm Light – A Question Of Composition
It’s unusual for me to struggle with the composition of my images but these Turkey Vulture photos are an exception.
Turkey Vulture In Spread-wing Postures
Turkey Vulture
In some circles the Turkey Vulture isn’t the most popular kid on the block but to me they’re as deserving of our respect and admiration as any other native bird.
The Delightfully Disgusting Turkey Vulture
Some folks think of Turkey Vultures as pretty revolting birds. Personally, I find that to be an unfair characterization but perhaps some of the following facts will explain the reaction some have toward these vultures. (warning – I suggest that you not be eating as you read this…) Turkey Vultures: are carrion eaters prefer fresh carrion but they can’t open the carcass of thick-skinned animals so they often wait until it is putrid and soft before they dine. typically enter the carcass through the genitals, anus, nostrils or mouth and consume the tongue and eyes first will eat almost anything that is dead, including skunks. But even Turkey Vultures have limits and they will often eat around skunk scent glands and leave them behind. deliberately defecate on their own legs and feet, possibly as a cooling mechanism. 1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, natural light They also often assume poses similar to this one when in direct sunlight. This behavior is thought to be a form of thermoregulation or a way of utilizing the sterilizing effect of ultraviolet on their plumage. Or both. Yes, some of the behaviors of this species tend to put some of us off a bit but it’s nice that there’s someone “out there” to clean up all of those nasty carcasses. In fact, the genus name for this bird, Cathartes, means “purifier”. Quite appropriate, I think. Ron Note: I’m on a camping/photo trip for a few days and will be largely out of touch until my return. I’ll catch up on answering comments and any questions when I…
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Yesterday’s Turkey Vultures
I don’t post photos of Turkey Vultures often but yesterday, International Vulture Awareness Day, was perfect timing to have an encounter with them.
Just Part Of The Price Of Being A Turkey Vulture
Nine Recent Birds, Nine Different Species
Turkey Vultures Stretching And Taking Off Yesterday Morning
Despite the mostly poor light it was an interesting morning for birds and wildlife and I did manage to get some vulture photos I like.
Thermoregulating Turkey Vulture
Turkey Vultures Doing What Turkey Vultures Do
A Few Recent Raptors (four species)
A potpourri of raptors I’ve photographed within the last two weeks in northern Utah. For varying reasons I think each image has at least some merit.
Compositional Games With Two Turkey Vultures On A Rustic Corral
When viewers see in image in its “final” form they typically have no inkling of the various compositional versions of that image that may have been considered and rejected during processing.
Potpourri – A Few Recent Birds, Critters And Experiences
Four bird, one mammal and two “experience” photos – all taken within the last several weeks.
A Turkey Vulture Kind Of Morning
The Genus name Cathartes means “purifier” and on this morning the Turkey Vultures were working hard at deserving the moniker.
Turkey Vulture In Warm Light – A Question Of Composition
It’s unusual for me to struggle with the composition of my images but these Turkey Vulture photos are an exception.
Turkey Vulture In Spread-wing Postures
Turkey Vulture
In some circles the Turkey Vulture isn’t the most popular kid on the block but to me they’re as deserving of our respect and admiration as any other native bird.
The Delightfully Disgusting Turkey Vulture
Some folks think of Turkey Vultures as pretty revolting birds. Personally, I find that to be an unfair characterization but perhaps some of the following facts will explain the reaction some have toward these vultures. (warning – I suggest that you not be eating as you read this…) Turkey Vultures: are carrion eaters prefer fresh carrion but they can’t open the carcass of thick-skinned animals so they often wait until it is putrid and soft before they dine. typically enter the carcass through the genitals, anus, nostrils or mouth and consume the tongue and eyes first will eat almost anything that is dead, including skunks. But even Turkey Vultures have limits and they will often eat around skunk scent glands and leave them behind. deliberately defecate on their own legs and feet, possibly as a cooling mechanism. 1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, natural light They also often assume poses similar to this one when in direct sunlight. This behavior is thought to be a form of thermoregulation or a way of utilizing the sterilizing effect of ultraviolet on their plumage. Or both. Yes, some of the behaviors of this species tend to put some of us off a bit but it’s nice that there’s someone “out there” to clean up all of those nasty carcasses. In fact, the genus name for this bird, Cathartes, means “purifier”. Quite appropriate, I think. Ron Note: I’m on a camping/photo trip for a few days and will be largely out of touch until my return. I’ll catch up on answering comments and any questions when I…