“If you’ve gone looking for raptors on a clear day, your heart has probably leaped at the sight of a large, soaring bird in the distance– perhaps an eagle or osprey. But if it’s soaring with its wings raised in a V and making wobbly circles, it’s likely a Turkey Vulture. These birds ride thermals in the sky and use their keen sense of smell to find fresh carcasses. They are a consummate scavenger, cleaning up the countryside one bite of their sharply hooked bill at a time, and never mussing a feather on their bald heads.” … “Look for them gliding relatively low to the ground, sniffing for carrion, or else riding thermals up to higher vantage points. They may soar in small groups and roost in larger numbers. You may also see them on the ground in small groups, huddled around roadkill or dumpsters.” –All About Birds
wow, it posing just for you ?
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No, they always spread their wings like that in the sun. 🙂
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Super!
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Thanks! 🙂
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What an amazing shot, Jackie ! – and yet their little heads are so unattractive … How a creature can look so wonderful from afar and so … erk close up can only be attributed to evolution’s need for said heads to forage inside carcases, I presoom.
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Thanks so much, M-R! The head only looks small because it has no feathers on it. I have no idea why vultures have no feathers on their heads so you may be right.
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You mean an eagle’s head is the same size ?
ACK !!!
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A bald eagle has a bigger head than a turkey vulture. An eagle’s head would look smaller without feathers.
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Phew …
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P.S. Happy to see you again Jackie!
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Thanks – it’s good to be back! 🙂
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Awesome wing span
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I agree, Mary! I’m always in awe when they spread their wings.
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nice one, my friend!
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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Fantastic capture and please to have you back with us again.
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Thanks so much, Poh! It’s good to be back. 🙂
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Great photo!
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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Now I love that lots!
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Somehow that doesn’t surprise me, Professor! 🙂
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Not such a good looking bird, as bird go, but you got a wonderful shot of him/her. They are an impressive sight to see soaring overhead. I never got to see one up close like this. You were at the right place, right time!
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Thanks so much! I’m lucky because there the cliff in the capture is very close to my apartment building so I get to see them perching and sunning themselves quite frequently. 🙂
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Oh and I agree – they are not the prettiest birds around. What they lack in looks they make up for by being extremely helpful when it comes to cleaning up dead things.
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It would be interesting to be able to watch them up so close. That’s a lot of bird!
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You are right about that! The are very large birds.
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He/she is very impressive and a great capture !! 🙂
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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Whoops! I forgot to add – I hope you had or are having ( wasn’t sure if they are still visiting) a nice time with your family. How is your Mom feeling?
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We enjoyed a lovely weekend :-D, though, over all too quickly as ever, with everyone having to get back for work! My mum is doing much better :-), thanks so much for asking Jackie xx
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I’m so happy to hear you had a good weekend! Though I didn’t have any doubts that you would. I’m also very happy to hear your mom is doing better. That must be a big relief. Xx 🙂
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It is a huge relief, as you say, at last I think we have got her to realise as well she must slow down! Hopefully too, the break she has planned for the Easter weekend will do her the world of good 🙂
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That’s good! I’m glad you were able to convince her to slow down. I hope she has a good break. It’s important to have those every now and again. 🙂
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We really did have to do a little battle with her to convince her to still go, though in this case I’m glad we won!! It’s a small coach tour, with friends, to the North East coastal town of Scarborough, taking in a couple of other little fishing towns too, so it should be lovely 😉
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It sounds lovely! Wish her safe travels from me. 🙂
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I certainly will, thank you so much, I know she will appreciate your kind wishes 🙂
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😀
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LOVE THIS!!!!!
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I’m so happy that you do! 😀
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Wow!
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Thanks so much! 🙂
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Yay! WordPress let me in! 😄 this is such a fantastic photo Jackie, it’s stunning ! Very interesting info too, thank you xx
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Yay! So glad WordPress did not give you any trouble today. 😀 You’re very welcome! I’m so happy you like the post. Thank you for your kind words – they are very much appreciated. Xx
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