During my last visit to the Living Desert Reserve, I arrived early and entered the bird house. There was a vulture there and I enjoyed taking these photos of him/her. I don't know which it was! Did you know that vultures usually do not kill their food, although I have read that they will occasionally kill a small mammal. Maybe somebody can enlighten me? Anyway, I see a pair of them once in a while as I drive up deep canyon and I see another pair over the horse ranch in our mountains where I board my horses. They have a large wing span and it is interesting to watch them catch the thermals and soar. I remember one time, when I boarded Sunni, my gelding, over in the Indio Hills. A whole flock of vultures came overhead and I stopped to watch them. I don't know if they had just feasted on something and were heading out, but it was an incredible sight. In fact, I jumped in my car and followed them for a while, until they headed off over Joshua Tree National Park. I always feel like it is a gift to see these incredible birds. Did you know their wing span is from 7 to 10 FEET? Amazing!!! Camera Critters for September 4, 2010.
