They might not be pretty but I love these big guys and while I have captured many pics of them, a recent photo shoot let me get closer to them than before. This particular vulture is a captive bird, unable to be released in the wild due to having been ‘imprinted’ by humans.

We see Turkey Vultures here in Colorado during the summer. You will often spot them soaring high in the sky in large groups – appropriately called a ‘wake’ – looking for their next meal. They feed on carrion they find lying around dead like rabbits, prairie dogs and such and are believed to be able to smell the dead animals up to a mile away. Their role of garbage man helps to prevent the spread of disease from carcasses.

Taken at Nature’s Educators in Sedalia, Colorado. More of my pics of Turkey Vultures here.

This is one bird that I hadn’t had much luck finding and getting pictures of this spring yet. Lucky for me, one found me this past weekend and not only flew over but then circled a few times above. I’m not entirely sure what it was looking at but something on the ground seemed to have its attention as it seemed to contemplate coming in for a landing.

These buzzards may be ugly but I think they are cool as heck. You will often see them soaring high in the sky in large groups – appropriately called a ‘wake’ – looking for their next meal. They feed on carrion they find lying around dead like rabbits, prairie dogs and such and are believed to be able to smell the dead animals up to a mile away. Their role of garbage man helps to prevent the spread of disease from carcasses.

One for #TBT going to May 2015. While out and about on a photo drive, my son and I spotted six of these birds circling and heading west. The Turkey Vultures disappeared from our sight but we ended up finding them again dining on Prairie Dog carrion in a field. We spent an hour watching them as they took turns picking apart their meal.

The case could certainly be made that these are some of the ugliest birds in the world – my son certainly thinks so. While certainly not pretty, I tend to think they are kind of neat. These birds have left the area for the winter but I would expect to start seeing them again in a couple of months.

One for #TBT going back to May 21 in Estes Park, Colorado. While sitting on the shore of Lake Estes, this “handsome” bird came flying over.

I haven’t had near as much as luck with getting pictures of these as in year’s past. They aren’t pretty but they are some of the most amazing flyers, able to soar for the longest time without a hint of flapping their wings. I find them to be quite fascinating and despite their faces, photogenic in their own way. 😉

This picture was taken back in September but I fully expect to see these again very soon as they return for the season. Their faces won’t win any beauty pageants but they are amazing adept at soaring in the sky.

You will often see Turkey Vultures high in the sky in large groups – appropriately called a ‘wake’ – looking for their next meal. They feed on carrion they find lying around dead like rabbits, prairie dogs and such and are believed to be able to smell the dead animals up to a mile away.

Okay, kind of morbid but… I snapped this image by accident back in September and forgot that I wanted to share it. I was observing a bunch of vultures that had congregated and were circling around. As I tracked one with my camera, I wasn’t paying attention to realize it was leading me right into the sun. When I look at the image I imagine me laying on some dry, desert floor with no water and seeing the buzzards circling. Weird I know but it kind of cracks me up.

If there is a Rodney Dangerfield of raptors, you could argue the Turkey Vulture is it. With a face only a mother could love, they are not particularly good looking and don’t get much respect in comparison to other birds.

However I find them fascinating and overall just pretty darned cool. With a massive six foot wingspan they are very large and oftentimes mistaken for eagles or hawks when seen soaring.

You will often see them high in the sky in large groups – appropriately called a ‘wake’ – looking for their next meal. They feed on carrion they find lying around dead like rabbits, prairie dogs and such and are believed to be able to smell the dead animals up to a mile away.

These vultures were part of a large group hanging out at Golden Ponds in Longmont, Colorado a couple of months ago. It was a lot of fun watching them as they put on a show.

Young and maybe ugly but juvenile Turkey Vulture still cool.  These scavengers with their featherless heads could certainly hold their own in a contest for world’s ugliest bird.  Nevertheless, if you set aside the face, they are pretty darned neat.

You will often see them soaring high in the sky in large groups – appropriately called a ‘wake’ – looking for their next meal.  They feed on carrion they find lying around dead like rabbits, prairie dogs and such and are believed to be able to smell the dead animals up to a mile away.

This young one was with about 20 other vultures hanging out at a pond.  Juveniles look much like adults except they have a gray head instead of the red of an older bird.  In one picture you notice this bird appears to be making some noise.  However, interestingly enough, turkey vultures aren’t capable of making true sounds – they only hiss.

It’s International Vulture Appreciation Day!  Yes, that really is a ‘day.’

These scavengers, while not particularly pretty, are essential to the Earth’s ecosystem.  They only eat carrion helping to perform the role of garbage man and preventing the spread of disease from carcasses.

Here a Turkey Vulture circles overhead in Longmont, Colorado back in July.  I think it thought I and my friend were going to be a meal.  ;-)?