<< Previous Next >>

At the Roadkill Cafe


At the Roadkill Cafe
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3059 W: 231 N: 6134] (20976)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-04-18
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S1-IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-04-28 11:05
Viewed: 1009
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Turkey Vulture
Cathartes aura

Urubu à tête rouge, Vautour (French)
Zopilote Aura, Aura cabecirroja (Spanish)

Although it has an ugly, bare-skinned face, the Turkey Vulture is beautiful on the wing. Seldom does this graceful and talented bird flap its wings as it soars over large areas searching for carrion.

Description

Large soaring bird.
Long wings and tail.
Body feathers entirely blackish-brown.
Red head mostly unfeathered.
Size: 64-81 cm (25-32 in)
Wingspan: 170-178 cm (67-70 in)
Weight: 2000 g (70.6 ounces)

Sex Differences
Sexes appear similar, but female slightly larger.

Sound
Usually silent. Makes hiss at carcasses, roosts, and nest.

Cool Facts

The Turkey Vulture uses its sense of smell to locate carrion. The part of its brain responsible for processing smells is particularly large, compared to other birds. Its heightened ability to detect odors allows it to find dead animals below a forest canopy.

The Turkey Vulture maintains stability and lift at low altitudes by holding its wings up in a slight dihedral (V-shape) and teetering from side to side while flying. It flies low to the ground to pick up the scent of dead animals.

Like its stork relatives, the Turkey Vulture often defecates on its own legs, using the evaporation of the water in the feces to cool itself down.

The Turkey Vulture usually forages alone, unlike its smaller, more social relative, the Black Vulture. Although one Turkey Vulture can dominate a single Black Vulture at a carcass, usually such a large number of Black Vultures appear that they can overwhelm a solitary Turkey Vulture and take most of the food.

Source
elefantino, loot, liquidsunshine, cecilia, thor68, Luc has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Scott: Comment or Critique?manyee 1 04-28 16:36
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Impressive shot.
It seems to be in Africa.
Good colors and details.
Andrea

  • Great 
  • osse Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 962 W: 0 N: 89] (7793)
  • [2006-04-28 11:13]

Hi Manyee
Good momend shot. Good colours, details, DOF, POV and note.
well done

osse

Ah! Finally the Geico competitors couldn't handle it anymore. Gruesome shot Manyee and tastefully done. :)

Manyee, Beautiful and graceful in flight, close up the bald head makes them look ugly.
We have some here in the valley. Well captured of them at work. Thanks for the note.

  • Great 
  • pilonm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 547 W: 90 N: 869] (2909)
  • [2006-04-28 12:14]

Hello Manyee,

What a shot!!! You were at the good place at the good moment and with the good object (the camera!). Colors and pov are superb. I think they are eating a squirrel, isn't it?

TFS,

Michel

You did capture those 3 vultures quite well; almost as if they posed for you.

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5361 W: 591 N: 3589] (9859)
  • [2006-04-28 16:28]

Hi ManYee
The end of the road for a certain mustelid. Sigh... that is nature. They are doing exactly what they were designed to do and you have done well to capture the moment.
Your composition is good and the colours are rich. The DOF provided some crisp details and although the BG might be slightly busy it does not distract or interfere with the image of the birds. The exposure was well managed.
Great work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hi Manyee,
Good detail, colours and sharpness. exposure and lighting are good. Good POV and framing.

Thanks for posting, have a great weekend.

Excellent capture of the trio...nice pose too.

what´s for dinner? looks like squirrel.
excellent "action"-shot, manyee,
vultures at "work".
great composition and bloody details.
well seen & captured, thor.
and what´s for dessert?

Hi Manyee

A little short on time tonight, so just points... sorry!

Hi ManYee,

Well, now...this looks familiar! I saw these same vultures (or their close relatives!!) in the same spot when I went back to The Pinnacles a week after you and I were there. It was nice of them to pose for you. This is a nice rich image. I like the positions of the three diners.

TFS

Evelynn : )

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF