copyright©MarjieGemmell
VULTURES and BUZZARDS
The clouds came and went all day, with stiff breezes scooting them across the sky in ever changing gray on blue patterns. Mid-afternoon though, brought a couple hours of sunshine, perfect for taking a walk.
As skies turned to blue, the winds continued steady, creating currents just right to coax out a group of Turkey Vultures. Soon the sky above the river trail was host to 18 Turkey Vultures, a sight I always enjoy.
When I was a youngster, vultures were always called ‘buzzards’, and no one of my acquaintance found them very desirable. We (my family and friends), did not know much about them back then, except that they were a revolting and rather repulsive sight with their naked red heads, feeding on the gory remains of a road kill. A more gruesome sight was hard to imagine.
When I became interested in birds, about my 4th decade, I was quite surprised that the yucky buzzards of my youth were the very respectable Turkey or Black Vultures on my bird list. And now, seeing them became a good thing, as they counted as a new species for my year list, or maybe a new tick for a state list. But more than just a bird to list, the more I learned about them, the more I appreciated them. Well, I think that’s a story for another day.
Today was simply a day to watch the Turkey Vultures. To enjoy their natural, easy soaring flight and marvel that it all appears so effortless when you’re down here, looking up. Good birding!
Cheeps & Chirps!
Marjie Gemmell
To learn more about bird identification go to:
www.easybirdidentification.com
Posted by Marjie Gemmell
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