What's that sound, you ask? That incessant, almost-metronomic yarp, yarp, yarp, yarp, yarp? Um, that would be Finn. And what's she yarping at? That would be these purty things:
Turkey vultures? That's our guess. They're about 50 35 ft. (db's guesstimate) up in the tree in our backyard, so we're not sure. This pic is 3x magnified. Maybe they're nesting, though it seems early for that. Maybe they're just passing through. Ramblin', ramblin', ramblin'...
These look like TVs to me. They could be nesting, but I think it is too early. We have tons of TVs around here, so it's not at all unusual to have them hanging around, though you more usually see them overhead. Here are some photos of the scary-looking beasts: http://vulturesociety.homestead.com/Photos.html
No kidding, there really is a Turkey Vulture Society. Why is another question entirely.
Posted by: PomeRantz | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 02:06 PM
Hi, J! I've been doing some investigating and am just about to do a whole nother post on them, because if this blog needs anything, it's more Turkey Vultures. The TVS website has come in mighty handy! I wish I could get a more closeup photo of them. Flying overhead, they're really lovely to watch. Last year they didn't hang around so visibly, in such a large group, for so long. I hope they like it here. I don't mind having them.
Posted by: ae | Friday, 13 January 2006 at 10:51 PM