What kind of bird would be a perfect match for a gloomy, fog-filled day? I might suggest that this Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) that I spotted this past weekend at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge would fit the bill admirably.
There was something shadowy, mysterious, and a little creepy about this large dark bird as it perched low in a tree and looked right at me through the fog. I felt a little shiver as I looked up at the vulture, but maybe it was just reaction to the cool temperature.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
He was just dying /em>to meet you, perhaps?
😉
🙂 That’s my kind of humor. My usual advice when around vultures is to not remain still for very long. It brings to mind the line from the Monty Python movie when one character famously states, “I’m not dead.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdf5EXo6I68)
When vultures show up, everyone’s mind seems to go in the same direction. When I posted a photo of a pair of vultures, I included this little personal tidbit: “… their habits elicit a certain revulsion, and occasionally an almost superstitious reaction. ‘Don’t stop walking,” an old Texas rancher once said to me. “You don’t want to tempt them.'”
Maybe, but I’m guessing that you kept walking at a brisk pace after getting this great shot.
It’s funny how some animals get a bad reputation isn’t it? I once did a falconry day and the undoubted highlight was when they got the two vultures out…birds so intelligent that they couldn’t be bothered taking to the skies to work for their treats because they knew exactly where the food was and just walked around following the bag. 😄 Awesome birds…and if it wasn’t for them, can you imagine the smell of all of those carcasses that would be left to rot? Ugh!
Saw you on Ark’s blog (the dragonfly) thought I’d have a look, very impressive! I will enjoy going through some of your archives especially butterflies. Regards Brian
That’s great, Brian. In the spring and summer I spend a lot of time shooting dragonflies and butterflies–I only got into bird photography because there are no insects in the winter.
I try and get a few bird images if I can get close enough for my 70-300, but for me it is mostly butterflies and dragonflies as well, it will be great to see more of your species. Brian