Spring Turkey Vulture warming up in morning light, Box Elder County, UtahSpring Turkey Vulture warming up in morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Yesterday morning I was able to photograph a spring Turkey Vulture warming up in the morning light from a rural road in Box Elder County. I had seen vultures in flight on my two previous March trips up there but hadn’t been able to photograph them.

This Turkey Vulture seemed content to thermoregulate and didn’t offer many other poses while I had it in my viewfinder. I have to admit the warmth of the sun felt nice to me and it probably did to the vulture too.

The rest of my journey up north wasn’t nearly as birdy as I would have liked but I did spot several Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, and Bald Eagles along with three lingering Rough-legged Hawks who will be winging their way north very soon. I also saw some smaller birds along the way.

Spring view from a rural road in Box Elder County, UtahSpring view from a rural road in Box Elder County – Nikon D810, f9, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 28mm, natural light

For most of the morning I enjoyed the spring views of the landscape as I looked for birds. Sagebrush and grasses are greening up but the ground is terribly dry. It is drier than I have ever seen it at this time of the year. I truly hope we get more spring rains before the seemingly endless heat of summer.

Even though I didn’t take that many bird photos it was a pleasant morning up in Box Elder County.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Turkey Vulture photos plus facts and information about this species.