"A Sand County Almanac"

"THERE ARE SOME WHO CAN LIVE WITHOUT WILD THINGS AND SOME WHO CANNOT."
"FOR US IN THE MINORITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE GEESE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TELEVISION.".....Aldo Leopold




"LOOK DEEP INTO NATURE, AND THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING BETTER".....Albert Einstein


“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves”.....John Muir


Wednesday, February 5, 2020

VULTURES, THE BEAUTIFULLY UGLY SCAVENGER


Black and Turkey Vultures play an important role in nature by devouring all sorts of carrion from road killed critters to gut piles left by successful hunters.

I found this pair of Black Vultures at the Catoctin Creek Park and Nature Center perched on the chimney of what appears to be an old smoke house...



It appeared that they were displaying in a manner similar to wild turkeys during mating season...


One would spread its wings and strut back and forth in front of the other one...


Instead of causing his tail feathers to spread and vibrate, he ruffled and vibrated the feathers covering his abdomen...


I have never witnessed this behavior before but I feel certain that it was a mating display...


Turkey Vultures are larger and usually have a red head...


Both species are plentiful at this time of the year and can usually be seen riding the thermal currents or near a carcass on which they are feeding...


Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.



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