Turkey vulture – Cathartes aura

I was at a family reunion this summer and wanted a bit of alone time so I grabbed my camera and set out for an adventure. This beauty was one of two circling the Texas skies. It dropped low and checked me out. Perhaps it thought I was moving so slowly I might be dead.

This bird has a tremendous range from just south of the Canadian border all the way down to the tip of Chile in the Tierra del Fuego. Google Maps claims that the distance is not drive-able, but I think some creative drivers could find a way. It is a little comforting to think that any time I look out my window, I could look up and probably see a Turkey vulture soaring on the thermals on the trip.