My camera went on vacation without me, my daughter took it and wouldn't you know, last evening, I was just a few feet away from a Turkey Vulture sitting on a fencepost.
Since I don't have my camera, these pictures were taken by a local person in the same area. His website is: http://www.andytheflyguy.ca/pages/wildlife.htm Thank you Andy for the pictures.
It's kind of exciting because I didn't even know these birds were here until this spring when I saw huge black birds circling above the hills and I was high enough to see what they were.
After some online investigation, I discovered that we do have what the old western movies used to call "buzzards".
But if you check out this link below, apparently http://vulturesociety.homestead.com/TVFacts.html#anchor_13248 buzzard is not used correctly when referring to Turkey Vultures.
I just recently fond out we had turkey vultures in my area too. A woman that works for the nature parks here told me about them. I was a little luckier than you though. I was able to get pictures and some video of the very first turkey vultures I've ever seen. It's great just to be able to see these big birds though. I never imagined I would.
ReplyDeleteIt looks completely different from the buzzards we see around here! I just found this really helpful bird-identification website: http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/b/buzzard/index.aspx - for British birds, that is! You might like to have a look at the British robin that we were discussing a while ago?
ReplyDeleteNice bird site, I will look. Your buzzard looks like one of our hawks.
ReplyDeleteThese are very nice pictures of the Vultures.In spite og being somewhat ugly,they have a grace while in flight.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Ruth
A buzzard is a slow moving hawk in Europe.These vultures show up to announce spring, with wings that make a "V" and a lighter stripe on the underside.When they leave, I know the cold is near. They trade places with bald eagles in my area, cool shots it is hard to get.
ReplyDeleteI see vultures often here in the SE. They are ugly but play an important part in cleaning up road kill, etc. Your friend got some really great shots!
ReplyDeleteWow, wouldn't want to get to close those vultures. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteThe vultures are usually necrophyles, buzzards prey on small rodents and they are brownish.
ReplyDeleteI love turkey vultures. They, along with their cousins, California Condors, are among my favorite birds. Such a terrific chance to see them up close and personal.
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