Migrating Turkey Vultures Near The Tanque Verde Wash — Fine Marker Drawing by kenne
They arrive each spring
Hundreds resting overnight
Morning departure.
— kenne
Archive for the ‘Turkey Vulture’ Tag
Migrating Turkey Vultures 2 comments
Heading North Leave a comment
Turkey Vulture in Flight Over the Tanque Verde Wash — Image by kenne
Late afternoon
Brings the big birds
Circling in for a landing
In the dead trees
By the Tanque Verde Wash.
Their stay will be brief
Before warming up
In the morning sun
Before liftoff, circling
Gaging the currents.
Each day for most of March
The turkey vultures return
In their journey north
To their northern home
Only to return next fall.
— kenne
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Liftoff 1 comment
“Liftoff ” (Turkey Vulture in Dead Tree Along Tanque Verde Wash) — Image by kenne
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Turkey Vulture Out On A Limb Leave a comment
Turkey Vulture Out On A Limb — Photo-Artistry by kenne
First he said:
It is the woman in us
That makes us write-
Let us acknowledge it-
Men would be silent.
We are not men
Therefore we can speak
And be conscious
(of the two sides)
Unbent by the sensual
As befits accuracy.
I then said:
Dare you make this
Your propaganda?
And he answered:
Am I not I-here?
— William Carlos Williams
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The Migration Is Almost Over 2 comments
Turkey Vulture — Image by kenne
Each spring hundreds of turkey vultures roost overnight near Tanuri Ridge. The following morning they start circling as they continue their flight north. A few weeks ago we would count 250 or more taking off each morning. This morning the count was a half-dozen. There are thousands the migrate through the Tucson basin, Tanuri Ridge just one narrow corridor. I photographed this vulture as he flow over our house. The migration south will begin in early October.
— kenne
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Turkey Vulture — Image by kenne
I’m a culture vulture, and I just want to experience it all.
— Debbie Harry
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Turkey Vulture Art 2 comments
Turkey Vulture Computer Art by kenne
In the country the darkness of night is friendly and familiar,
but in a city, with its blaze of lights,
it is unnatural and menacing.
It is like a monstrous vulture that hovers,
biding its time.
— W. Somerset Maugham
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Tanque Verde Grunge 1 comment
Turkey Vulture Near Tanque Verde Wash — Grunge Art by kenne
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How The Turkey Vulture Saved The World Leave a comment
Another Sign Of Spring, Turkey Vultures Overnight by the Tanque Verde Wash — Computer Painting by kenne
“In the time of the ancients,
the sun moved close to the earth
making life unsustainable.
Where upon all animals gathered
to see what could be done,
deciding the sun had to be moved.
One by one attempts were made
to move the sun.
Some, like the fox,
used his mouth
to pull the sun away,
but it was so hot
and he had to stop,
leaving his mouth black
still to this day.
Next, the opossum tried
moving the sun with his tail,
but he too had to stop,
for the sun was too hot,
leaving his tail bald
still to this day.
Seeing all this,
being the most powerful
and beautiful of birds,
the vulture feared the earth
would soon burn up.
So, she bravely placed her
head against the sun,
flying high into the heavens.
Even with her crown
of feathers burning,
she never stopped
until the sun was far away
and the earth was safe.
Now you know
how the vulture
saved the world
and lost her
magnificent feathers
still to this day.”
This is my telling of a native American myth.
kenne
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On The Road To Ruin 7 comments
Our Visitors Are Still Coming Through Tucson 2 comments
The turkey vulture numbers are fewer each day, but the continue migrating to places north. This mornings count was 52. — Images by kenne
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We Have A Place For Ugly Birds 16 comments
Turkey Vultures — Images by kenne
Art from Mary A Livingston’s book, “No Place for Ugly Birds”
We Have A Place For Ugly Birds
During our first fall in Tanuri Ridge (three years ago), I noticed large birds circling above
landing near the Tanque Verde wash to the south of us. Not knowing much about birds,
but my association with naturalist friends has resulted in a mark improvement,
I thought the birds were hawks — even writing a poem (Hawks Circle) and posting it on this blog.
Since then, I have learned more about these beautiful birds
(ugly is beautiful — in the eye of the beholder, you know),
having spent time counting and photographing the birds along the Tanque Verde wash.
However, when it comes to observing and keeping a record of the fall and spring migrations,
I bow to the official Tanuri Ridge turkey vulture counter, Larry Conyers.
He tries to get a count each morning and late afternoon,
and I fill in for him when business takes him away.
The vulture count only takes in the Tanuri Ridge property along the Tanque Verde wash.
There are hundreds more in the Tucson Country Club
(another place for ugly birds) on the south side of the wash from us,
which is why most of our street names begin with “Country Club Vista.”
Hundreds of vultures pass through our part of the Catalina foothills each spring and fall.
Maybe Larry and I need to start having our own “ugly bird” festival next fall, at first for Tanuri Ridge residents,
later opening it to birder friends — who knows!
Yes, we are a place for ugly birds — Tanuri Ridge!
UGLY BIRDS ARE WELCOME!
kenne
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In The Dark Of Night 1 comment
“In The Dark Of The Night” — Image by kenne
Roosting high in the
trees of death,
they rest
overnight —
a long journey,
places far south.
Before sunset,
we watched them
circle above Tunuri,
following the path
of generations,
driven by a seventh sense.
Numbers we count
at dusk and dawn,
only to ponder
why the numbers vary —
best guess,
a factor of distance.
Not the only
carion-eating animal,
these majestic birds
are maligned
as a symbol,
death.
Born of the
new world,
don’t call them
buzzard —
let us see,
horaltic pose.
kenne
“Horaltic Pose” ––Image by kenne
Related articles
- Capturing The Moment — Migrating Turkey Vultures – (kenneturner.com)
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Capturing The Moment — Migrating Turkey Vultures 5 comments
Return of The Migrating Turkey Vultures — Image by kenne
Early signs the annual fall migration of turkey vultures has begun. One of the stopping-off places for roosting over night are dead trees along the Tanque Verde wash. These big birds head south for the warmer winter climates of Mexico.
(A 10-Word Poem)
Vultures
feeding
on the dead
turn south
roosting
near by.
kenne
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Capturing The Moment — Morning Sun 2 comments
Turkey Vultures In The Morning Sun — Image by kenne
The Morning Sun
Hope comes with the morning sun
Warming the body and the soul
Washing away yesterdays troubles
Providing a new beginning
To be lived as if it were your last —
Every minute being a gift.
kenne
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On the Road to Ruin — An Ode To Danger People
A time of dangerous opportunity
A time to discard sacred cows
A time for spiritual renewal
A time of shared empathy
A time of caring
A time to create
A time to mute siren songs
A time to be “danger people.”
— kenne
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