Roosting first of year Turkey Vulture – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This post with an image of my first of year Turkey Vulture is about 16 days late because I actually spotted this vulture on April 1st way up in northern Utah. It was early in the morning and the vulture probably roosted on the lichen covered rock in the desert overnight. I’d seen my first of year Turkey Vultures minutes earlier but this one was the first one I photographed for the year.
Turkey Vultures may not be considered beautiful but I always get excited when they return in the spring. These vultures are an important part of our environment and they are a critical part of nature’s clean up crew.
I enjoy watching them soar on the thermals, preening, and thermoregulating. My nose like it that they get rid of the stinky smelling road kills. Plus I enjoy taking photos of these vultures.
I’m so behind on many things and I can’t believe it still took me so much time to share my first of year Turkey Vulture photo.
I hope that this week will be better than last week was for me and that I will be able to get back out into the field. Hopefully I will see more Turkey Vultures on the wing. Or on a cliff. Or in a tree. I don’t actually care where I see them as long as I do.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Turkey Vulture photos plus facts and information about this species
I think TVs are very handsome birds and I’m so glad you shared this one with all of us!
We still have a few flying around the east bench in Salt Lake. It was so fun to have one in the back yard one year.
How I wish that we had vultures…
Happy Easter. Looking forward to your Spring photos!