Black or Turkey? Vulture, That Is

Vultures are such majestic critters, patrolling the skies and riding the currents.  We have both the Black and the Turkey Vultures around here. It's easy to see the difference up close--the TV's head is featherless and red--like a turkey. 

But at this distance I can't see the red. Still, I think it's a Turkey Vulture rather than a Black --because of the shallow V of the wings, the 'fingers' at the wingtips, and the good- sized tail. What a beauty!

More about these birds HERE

 

Scavengers' Buffet

Yesterday I visited the compost facility where Justin works, turning garbage from Asheville's finest restaurants into high grade dirt.

It's not pretty and even in twenty degree weather there was a certain odor . . .

But it's a noble endeavor and a good job for a philosophy major. 

What had me open-mouthed in awe though were the birds -- masses of them. Black vultures and crows were what I mainly saw, along with some smaller birds. 

Justin has seen ravens and the occasional bald eagle at this all-you-can eat buffet for scavengers.

It was too cold to linger but I kept taking pictures . . .