I was on my way between two nature parks when I looked up and saw this flock of about a dozen big birds. I didn't know what they were while I was there because I don't have much experience with bigger birds yet. That will change, living where I do.
The birds were everywhere in the sky above me, centered around this piece of farm equipment. These pieces of equipment sit on top of the hills looking like dragons from the distance of the road. They're interesting just by themselves.
It's been a long time, but I have a new episode of Rat TV for you! This one features, you guessed it, this flock of turkey vultures. They were up there longer than I was watching them, so it was easy to get a lot of pictures and a video.
As usual, my video isn't the best in the world, but it shows what it needs to show. I don't usually have a steady enough hand on the camera, but it's not too bad this time.
On a different subject, some of you asked in my last post how killdeers got their name. I wondered about it too. It has nothing to do with killing deer. It is simply the sound their calls make.
Anyway, I've seen these turkey vultures near this place three times now. These are my best pictures, but I do have more. I tried to take a few while my truck was moving, so those didn't come out very good. I'll have to go back on a sunnier day one time to see what I can get.
I hope to be back here soon. My writing is beginning to come back to me, so maybe I'll be able to post more often now.
That sure is a huge flock. I don't know much about vultures but I imagined that they only came to ground like this in such large numbers if there was food about....any ideas why they were flocking Ratty??
ReplyDeleteThey do look majestic soaring around. My guess is they have enormous wingspans. Is that an old corn threshing machine they are landing on? It looks like a dinosaur up there on the hill.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty big flock there. A friend of ours has several turkey vultures that hang out around his house
ReplyDeleteGoodness, Ratty, that is a huge group hovering around. Be sure you stay upright and moving...I wouldn't want them to swoop down and take you away! Great pictures...I always have trouble getting birds in flight.
ReplyDeleteI just posted about a turkey vulture, too! But I only saw one, not a flock like yours!!! was there something dead near your flock, or where they roosting or something?
ReplyDeleteI drove past a septic treatment facility last summer. (It's only 4 miles from here) A man on a tractor was mowing several acres of open fields that surround the plant. Many vultures circled. I stopped counting when I got to 200. Closer to home, there may be 16 in a circling flock, but usually fewer.
ReplyDeleteThat old threshing machine does look like something out of medieval or prehistoric ages. Neat shots.
I do hope they can swoop down and take you away!
ReplyDeleteThen you can fly with them.
Hello! Very interesting post! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a video, Ratty. I've only seen one of them up close and personal at the zoo and he was quite a scary looking creature.
ReplyDeletewe have them here too..the first time we saw them we just stared...and could not believe they could fly!!! they are vultures!!
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
Turkey vultures are interesting birds. They have faces so ugly on a mother could love them but when they soar they are beautiful. There two main reasons they would be in a flock like that, some animal has either recently died or is dying. It is always sad to see them circling like that.
ReplyDeleteThe other, and this may be the case here, is they circle as part of their mating ritual. You will see one cut away from the circle and others follow. This is the right time of the year for them to be mating.
Now, that is really something I would not see around here - it's pretty awesome!
ReplyDeletewow, those are a lot of turkey cultures, beautiful captures, both pictures and video
ReplyDeleteAn awesome video, Ratty, and I like that farm equipment! It does looked like a dragon in the distance. Fantastic captured!
ReplyDeleteVultures are impressive. They are always so focused. That plains custom of reapers on the hills is widespread and interesting.
ReplyDeleteCertainly one of my favorite topics....turkey vultures. No other bird seems to be able to catch the uprising air currents the way they do. And they serve a very important ecological function in eating carrion. I doubt I'd like to kiss one, however. Their breath is hellacious.
ReplyDeleteThey are interesting birds. I see them in groups here also. I never see them land though. Once when I was on a short drive over the hill there were some in the corn field up there. Hope you are feeling okay Ratty. I am trying to catch up with blogs but it's almost impossible. Haven't been feeling that well myself lately. Mostly back problems though. You take care.
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