Close up of an adult Turkey Vulture thermoregulating in Box Elder County – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
It has been an odd spring so far what with isolating due to the Coronavirus, earthquakes, and for a while the gray clouds that seemed to hang over northern Utah for days. All of those things have meant that I have spent less time in the field seeing and photographing the birds I am so passionate about.
Take Turkey Vultures for instance, I believe I’ve only photographed them three times so far this spring. Believe me, that is strange. Normally by this time of the year I have taken hundreds of images of Turkey Vultures. Try as I might I can only think of one April morning in Box Elder County and two times up in the Wasatch Mountains that I have been able to raise my lens for vultures.
Turkey Vulture thermoregulating on a cool April morning – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
In April there was a bright, sunny morning when I had several opportunities to photograph adult Turkey Vultures warming up after a chilly night by thermoregulating. I took full advantage of having the vultures close enough to take portraits of them in the thermoregulation posture and then after a bit I removed my 1.4x teleconverter to take frame filling images of the large, dark birds with the sagebrush dotted hillside behind them. I can almost smell the pungent scent of sage when I look at these images.
Adult Turkey Vulture warming up on a ranch gate – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Later in the morning I also found two Turkey Vultures thermoregulating on the top rail of a ranch gate. The sun was higher by then and the light angle wasn’t quite as good as it was when I took photos of the first two Turkey Vultures but there is something iconic about photographing a vulture on a ranch gate in the “West”, isn’t there?
I’m not sure how much time I can expect to be in the field for the rest of spring, summer or even the fall but I do hope I’ll have a few more opportunities with Turkey Vultures while they are in northern Utah this year.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Turkey Vulture photos plus facts and information about this species.
These shots, along with your commentary, are really intriguing. As I study the face of this turkey vulture I can’t help but wonder how far back in time those features go. Have traces of what some dinosaurs may have looked like been inherited by Condors and Vulture populations we see today? Fun to think about isn’t it?
Great pics Mia. Thanks.
That is SOME wing span!!!! Beautiful….no wonder ,they soar so effortlessly…
Wow. What a majestic and beautiful bird. How I wish our garbage collectors had a fraction of their beauty.
☺️
I just adore their little bald heads! They make me think of hatchlings. I really hope you get some more opportunities with them soon. Your photographs definitely show the beauty of these birds — all the different browns and that huge wingspan. Happy sigh. 🙂
Fabulous photographs!
Vultures are truly underappreciated, socially as well as photographically. These images are really appealing.
Thank you for sharing, Mia!
They are a wonderful bird, you captured such nice photos. I can see the slight color differentiation in the individual feathers.
Nice shots and great light. It is an education for me to read about what the birds do in your blogs, like thermoregulating and how you take photos. Yes, they have a face that I am learning to appreciate, but their soaring is exquisite, as are these displays of their feathers. As for getting out, that is tough. I have to rely on friends for rides and not all are taking photos or passionate about birds. Plus there is dealing with the crowds and people who don’t care to follow the suggestions for being safe and that is a necessity for me. But I guess we just do the best we can and maybe enjoy it even more since the opportunities are less frequent. Here in central Alberta we seem to be having a good year for Mountain Bluebirds, Baltimore Orioles, Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls! Happy birding!
If you can get past the heads of Turkey Vultures they really are beautiful birds. The colouring & the pattern of the feathers is beautiful. Great series of photos.