Over a few days, they flocked overhead, sailing on tipped wing in circles above my house. It was perfect for a Halloween movie. Vultures. Cemetery. Eerie music. Well, I only had the turkey vultures and a little roadkilled buck by the highway!
They filled this tree. They roosted in their usual cottonwood. Flapping wings and rustling leaves let me know there were plenty in the two cottonwoods in my yard.
Then. They’re gone.
The forked horn buck has been reduced to bones attended by crows and magpies.
Yesterday, I spotted 55 wild turkeys in our field… where before, eight kept vigil. With the cottonwood now vacated by the vultures, the turkeys, with a waddling, running start, flew up to roost as the sun sank down in the west.
Vultures replaced by turkeys… and the winter storm watch issued for Wednesday. Fall is here!
There are a pair here. They sit on a power line and watch me with interest as I pass by on my morning walk. They seem to be evaluating me mocking him my BMI. They are still there when I return only now they have their wings spread, cooling themselves in the morning breeze….or maybe they are holding up invisible score cards. For this walk we award her a 4.3!
I love turkey vultures. They are an interesting bird. They say if you can find their rookery it is really something to see.