Laelaps
Musings on evolution, the fossil record, and our place in nature
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Laelaps is the blog of freelance science writer Brian Switek. This blog frequently features his musings on paleontology, evolution, and the history of science. Switek also blogs for Smithsonian magazine's Dinosaur Tracking, and he is a research associate at the New Jersey State Museum.
Switek's first book, Written in Stone, will be published on November 1, 2010 by Bellevue Literary Press.
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Photo of the Day #824: Turkey vulture
Category: Birds • Photography
Posted on: January 15, 2010 11:43 AM, by Brian Switek
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Comments
I'm not a New Jersey native so it was somewhat shocking at first to see vultures around sub-urbia. A little more used to it now though. Sometimes, in the late winter, you can spot a deer carcass stripped nearly clean with only the skin covering the rib-cage while a vulture pecks away at what's left of the innards. Just like being on the African savanna.
Posted by: NoAstronomer | January 15, 2010 12:31 PM
A couple months ago I saw my first turkey vulture in southern CT, in a place where turkeys have become common (miracle!). Vultures a rara avis here.
Posted by: VJBinCT | January 15, 2010 2:22 PM
Favorite bird! My dogs scared one out of one of my pine trees the other morning. It was AWESOME.
Posted by: Davor | January 15, 2010 3:33 PM
I always carry a little shovel when driving, and take any opportunity to stop and move roadkill out of the traffic lane onto the shoulder, to make it safer for the vultures.
After flying a hang glider for years, I love seeing them around.
Posted by: Hank Roberts | January 16, 2010 12:51 AM
I think they are cool looking birds and I like to watch them.
Posted by: Eileen | January 16, 2010 6:54 AM