Morning Walk

[LadyKestrel]

On my walk this morning along a quiet road, I saw a turkey vulture up ahead having its usual breakfast of carrion over light. It let me get within ten feet before flapping away, but I figured it hadn't gone far. Sure enough, it was perched on the peak of a roof of a nearby house, just waiting for me to pass in order to get back to the business at hand...er...wing. They are very common in the skies here, but this is the first time I've gotten so close to one. It was a very impressive size, especially with its wings spread.

Everything is in riotous bloom here, but I especially love seeing the wide swaths of mountain laurel in the wild overgrown areas along my route. I also saw an amorous mallard pair quacking it up in someone's front yard. They were two blocks from the nearest water, but I guess they just wanted a little privacy for their tryst.

[draclvr]

I'm hoping my step-daughter gets her annual pictures of her older neighborhood in Manassas, Virginia. It is well-known for its azaleas and is also currently in riotous bloom!

I tried to save a vulture several years ago. It had a broken wing and I caught it in a blanket to avoid the sharp beak. I took it to the Raptor Rehab place just outside St. Louis, but it was so dehydrated and emaciated they couldn't save it. I was amazed at how huge they are with that wingspan too!

[Kickaha]

You make me feel envious! Please post some pictures?

We major on ducks near where I walk, with the occasional heron for variety.

[draclvr]

That's a good idea, Kickaha! I know LadyK does have some interesting things happen on her walks sometimes.

[LadyKestrel]

I don't usually carry my camera, but I'll see what I can do.

[draclvr]

Ah, don't tell me you're a Luddite like me and don't have a smart phone!!

[LadyKestrel]

No, I have a small flip phone I carry for emergencies. I spend enough time on the computer and need my down time.

[Diat60]

When we lived just outside the city we had a couple of wild turkeys who'd come to visit and I was quite surprised how big they were. The last few days we've been watching the antics of 3 baby squirrels who've just come out of their nest in the white pine in front of the house. Cute as buttons and so tiny! I downgraded from a smart to a flip phone, although I got one that takes pictures.

[StarLite]

I'm looking forward to going for walks again. Today on our way home there were some Canada geese on the side of the road when one decided to chance a crossing. People stopped and let it go by. Looking forward to a pic LadyK, glad you enjoyed your walk. Take us with you next time

[Jude]

LadyKestrel, they are around here, too, but I've always called them turkey buzzards (although I think they are vultures -- they are scavengers, in any case). They are easy to recognize when they are flying because of their jagged wing silhouette, and they can get pretty big!

Not as big as the wild turkeys get, though!

[Phlebas]

We don't get vultures here but there are a few red kites living nearby - we often get a good view of them flying over the neighbourhood.