Here's some ugliness for you! Turkey vultures are usually seen high in the sky, soaring with their dark wings in a V. It's much less likely that you'll see one close enough to snap a picture of their naked heads.
This one was guarding a fresh road kill, and didn't move until I was quite close. Here's a classic cartoon vulture pose! (Except, of course, this pose is real.)
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Whoa! Nice shots. You're right, I don't often get to see them up close, though I see them plenty of times circling in the sky. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteThat is one ugly beak on that bird! I love your blog and the wonderful things you find on your hikes... and I left you a lovely award over on my blog :)
ReplyDeleteA Lil Enchanted,
~LaShan~
That sure looks like a buzzard to me.
ReplyDeletethat's some ugly bird,indeed! i have seen them on the road in our neighborhood waiting to get the kill,Mind you is was not their kill. Seen them flying around searching. Have never been able to get a shot of them..Great going.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots. They are ugly up close, but I love to watch them soar.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! Well done on the picture and thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I see them circling above the farm here periodically...but not this close!! I read the head has not feathers because they root around in carrion and bare flesh is easier to clean?
ReplyDeleteI don't think we get these around here. Probably because Detroit is so close. They're beautiful in their own ugly looking way.
ReplyDeleteWow! How cool to actually see a vulture by the road. Not something I'd ever be able to come across :(
ReplyDeleteI don't think they're ugly by the way- all animals are gorgeous in their own ways!
Yep! That is one ugly mug! LOL Unbelievable that it allowed you to get so close!
ReplyDeleteI rather think their ugliness is handsome in their vulture way if that makes any sense. I've got the kids trained to recognize TV's from hawks now too. I am proud of their powers of observation. :)
ReplyDeleteJoy- Now you can see why they look like they have no heads when they are flying!
ReplyDeleteLaShan- Thank you so much! I'll check out the award.
FishHawk- Yeah, vulture, buzzard... several names, same bird. You know... fish hawk, osprey...
Auntie- They usually fly sooner. The dead rabbit must have been something extra tasty!
Chuck & Glynis- Thanks! It's not too hard with a cooperative bird!
WillOaks- Yes, that is the theory, that their heads are bare because they can't keep feathers clean.
Oh Ratty! I'm sure you have them. I see them in Ann Arbor all the time.
Bemused- Well, I tend to agree with you, but these guys just don't make it to cute and cuddly!
Rebecca- It was still hanging around the same place when I drove by later in the day. The dead rabbit must have been something special.
Julia- Your kids are waaaay ahead of lots of adults!