Let's hear it for the vultures

Maestro · March 25, 2007

Specifically let's give a shout out to the New World Vultures who are related to storks instead of the hawk family as are the Old World Vultures.

Some of these shots you have seen before, but I thought I would compile some in thread.

In the shadows they sometimes lurk, picking up carcasses that are forgotten, discarded or trampled under our tires.

They do come out of the shadows and show us their unique beauty at times.

Time has given them a bald head so feathers won't get in the way of their digging into flesh.

Many do not realize that they are very adept flyers, soaring on thermals whenever possible sometimes looking for carrion other times simply playing.

They will perch for a while checking things out but this black vulture was just having fun one sunny Sunday afternoon.

Back to soaring and diving...

So a shout out to all the vultures out there. You ain't sexy, but you do have your own beauty.

Ric Grupe · March 25, 2007

If there is such a thing as reincarnation, I have thought that coming back as a vulture would be great. No natural enemies....no killing for food....soring at incredible altitudes....well, you get the picture.

Some vultures live to be 70 too!

Maestro · March 25, 2007

That is an awesome photo with great exposure! That looks like an old world vulture. The main difference between the two are that the new world vultures like the kind you find here in the States have weak talons. They are not used for killing or carrying only holding dead prey. I'm still working on the exposure thing with vultures. All black or all white birds mess with me.