Vultures have come up three times in the past week. First they came up in this week's episode of NCIS - a bit morbidly. Then when we visited the Raptor Trust on Friday and saw them training the vultures there to come to them and subsequently to fly to a specified perch which was a scale. And today, coming home from Barnegat, just outside Columbus there was a collection of them. So I just had to do some investigation and found out if they are perched in the trees, a group is called a committee. If they are on the ground surrounding something they are eating that group is called a wake. So we saw a wake having brunch and a committee standing by apparently waiting their turn. When they stand (or perch) with their wings spread it is called a "horaltic pose". And they do this for thermoregulation (to bring back up their body temperature from the evening) and to dry off. It was kind of remarkable to see them all in that one place. As foreboding as they look, they do still appear kind of majestic and they do pay an integral part in the nature cycle.
I was happy that HWNSNBP actually offered to turn around so that I could get these pictures. There were some other people who slowed down, but none of them stopped as we did. It was the one's standing in the field with their wings spread out that really caught my attention. It had been drizzling on and off all morning and the temps were only in the mid 40's.
I did get a few pictures from the Raptor Trust when we were there, but again the netting inside the cages makes for unclear pictures.
This last one is not a raptor but rather a robin. Her name is Pearl and she is leucistic - meaning she lacks the full intensity of a robin's coloration. Not to be confused with albino which would be lacking all pigment. She has been there in her own cage for quite a few years. HWNSNBP was familiar with her as he regularly saw her when he was volunteering at the Raptor Trust about 4 years ago. I had never seen her up until now because we usually visited during the Christmas break when she was kept inside where it was warmer for her. It was nice to meet her at last.
Fascinating! We often see vultures (we call them turkey buzzards--are they the same thing?) spreading their wings on rooftops to warm them up, it's fun to know the proper name of what they're doing! TFS!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, vultures do make you wonder what has died nearby.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see someone enjoys vultures as much as I do! Our apartment overlooks the local river and in the spring and fall we have a large flock (well over a hundred) that appear and float in the wind currents over the river. After a couple of weeks they move further north but always two or three pairs remain here. In the fall they reverse the process. They are, quite simply, poetry in motion when in the air.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun day. I love the vultures . . . and that you husband turned around for you to take pictures. :)
ReplyDeleteSuper post
ReplyDeleteSuper interesting! My Mr G was of the same fabric asking to turn around to get a shot. Bless your HW.
ReplyDelete