I can’t help it. I think these birds are neat. They are called the New World Vulture and they are what naturally clean up our streets and fields when an animal dies. A friend of mind said these animals look mean. Perhaps if your only association with them is death then I can see how you can think that. If you think about it though they don’t kill so they can’t really be mean. They just clean up what’s left. These birds were eating the remains of some rabbit on the street when I slowly ventured near with my camera. As I came close they wondered if I was a predator – after all I was pointing a long gun like thing so who could blame them! As I crept closer I noticed how each bird looked out after the other. They didn’t fight over the tiny little rabbit. They just quietly ate and then backed away as another would share in the meager rode kill.
I’ll end with something on the other end of the size scale and perhaps a lot more mean 😉
Laura and I are fans of Turkey Vultures too. Enjoyed all the shots, but that first one is flat-out beautiful. The vulture on the feeder in the last shot looks a little underfed. 😉
Super shots, Eloine. And like Paul said we like Turkey Vultures. As their wings are shaped like a “V” when flying (easy way to tell it’s them, even if very far up) we call all TVultures “Vinnie” when we see them. LOL I think they have very interesting faces.
Thanks Laura! I learned today that the vultures here aren’t related at all to the ones in Europe. According to what I read it’s a real example of convergent evolution.
Again, your photos have left me with awe, Wonderful work!
Excellent photos, Eloine. I hope they don’t mind if I miss the party. 🙂
Oh neat captures!
Very nice photos of the Vultures (often called Buzzards in Ohio). We have a rookery near us and have 40 or more overhead almost daily.
Those are cool pictures! That’s neat they let you get so close. I think they are neat birds too