NeoVista Birds and Wildlife: Nuthin' But Turkey Vultures

I spent a morning exploring nature on the south end of Utah Lake with my friend Eric Huish a couple Saturdays ago. I could share some nice photos of a number landscapes and birds from that outing, but after spending some time photographing a roost of about 50 Turkey Vultures I decided to dedicate a post to nuthin' but these strange-looking birds. It won't be long before they essentially disappear from Utah as they migrate southward for warmer climes.

This first image shows just a few of the vultures that were spread throughout five or six cottonwood trees. Eric counted at least 46 before many of them flushed and started gliding around the trees and over our heads.

Turkey Vulture Roost in Utah County, UT

Here's a few interesting tidbits about Turkey Vultures. Many people who are not birders refer to them as buzzards. They have wingspans up to 70 inches (well over five feet). They prefer to eat carrion (dead animals). They have quite the immune system because they avoid contracting deadly diseases such as botulism, salmonella, cholera, anthrax, and other diseases that would likely kill other birds and animals. They have a keen sense of smell that allows them to locate carcasses from significant distances. Without experience you might think they were eagles or large hawks when flying. However, once you notice that they hold their wings in a sort of "V" shape and they wobble side to side as they soar and glide you'll pick them out from a mile away, so to speak. They can be found across the United States during the spring, summer, and early fall months. Some remain year round on the California coast and in southern Arizona, some southeastern states, and the east coast of the US, but most will spend their winter months in Mexico, Central, or South America.

I kind of chuckled when I saw these twins perched side by side. I noticed they were always looking in the same direction at the same time. They have hair-dos and hair lines that remind me of the Cornelius character from Planet of the Apes. I first watched that movie as a child back in the late 1960s.

Turkey Vultures in Utah County, UT

I took advantage of the morning light to capture some action shots. It is always amazing to see what a difference a little bit of sunlight can make when working with action shots. These were taken from a distance, but the light allowed me to get a shutter speed that froze the movement well enough to allow significant cropping.

Turkey Vulture Taking Flight From a Large Roost in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Preparing to Land in a Large Roost in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture Gliding in to Roost in Utah County, UT

This particular bird stretched for about a minute. The branches and leaves that obscure the left wing, in my opinion, keep the image looking real. All of the flight feathers (wings and tail) as well as coverts (covering the base of the flight feathers) are easily seen.

Turkey Vulture Stretching at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

I enjoyed following this vulture as it returned from a couple of circles around the roost.

Turkey Vulture Preparing to Land at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

The wings are used to help provide balance as the vulture lands on a flimsy branch.

Turkey Vulture Landing at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

Turkey Vulture After Landing at Large Roosting Site in Utah County, UT

Here are a few more Turkey Vulture images from previous encounters. I know they have an important role to play in our world. I am grateful they fulfill that role well, but I'm not eager to get too close to these guys. They represent one of many parts of nature I respect at a distance.