Maybe not pretty in the face but still a way cool bird! I have kind of a strange fascination with these guys so when I get to photograph them, I get kind of excited.

When camped on Colorado’s northeastern plains last week, I had an absolutely prime opportunity. More than 20 of them had staked out a spot by a lake as their early morning roost, one which thanks to having access to a boat I could easily get to.

Two mornings I spent a good bit of time photographing them taking 400+ photos of them each day. They put on a nice show for me with tons of flybys, many at close range, including this one.

They are amazing flyers, able to soar without flapping their wings for the longest time and that six-foot wingspan is simply impressive. They feed on carrion, usually rabbits and prairie dogs, and are said to be able to smell the dead animals up to a mile away.

At this spot, they were taking advantage of a die off of carp, dining on the carcasses on the shore. Their role as Mother Nature’s garbage man prevents the spread of disease from the carcasses.

This cool bird wasn’t too sure what to make of the guy with the big camera creeping toward him.

It was still a bit early in the morning and turkey vultures aren’t usually in too big of a rush to take to the skies, preferring to wait until it warms up. Three times this one raised its wings, thinking about departing, but eventually decided I was harmless and settled down.

A lot of these have been seen in recent days along the Colorado Front Range as they begin their migration south toward warmer environs for the winter.

The adult turkey vulture seemed less than impressed with the show the juvenile was putting on. 😉

A fun shot of these cool birds taken in Estes Park, Colorado last weekend. A dozen turkey vultures were hanging out on the power poles that enter town from the east. The mid-morning light was harsh but at least they gave me some cool poses.

Certainly these birds won’t win any beauty contests but I think they are way cool and, as the garbage men of nature, they perform a vital function in the ecosystem.

These raptors are so darned fascinating to me. Yes, their faces are perhaps less than appealing but I just find them cool as heck.

They are amazing flyers, able to soar without flapping their wings for the longest time and that six foot wingspan is simply impressive. They feed on carrion, usually rabbits and prairie dogs, and are said to be able to smell the dead animals up to a mile away. Their role as Mother Nature’s garbage man prevents the spread of disease from the carcasses.

Another shot from my photo session with these cool dudes late last week. Not only did they let me watch them eat, they put on a nice little aerial show as well. When these guys fly, they are somewhat unsteady, but with those massive wingspans they can soar for the longest time without a flap of their wings. It truly is impressive to watch. See my wall the one I posted this morning if you missed it.