A couple of weeks ago, I was returning from a trip to the mail box.  As I walked back up the driveway, something to the left caught my eye.  It was a large turkey buzzard.  He was just taking off from the ground–less than a half-mile away.  As I watched his wings flapped a few times as he rose quickly upward.  There was a stiff breeze from the west, which seemed to aid his ascent.  He made two large spirals through the air.  By now he had risen at least 200 feet above the ground.

As I stood still watching this aeronautical wonder, he began to drift toward me.  Quartering to the wind he continued to rise.  As he neared, I had my camera ready.  By now he was very high, but I took this picture anyway.  Can you see him?

If you look closely you can see him below the black bottomed cloud and above and slightly left of the tower.  It was amazing how high he had risen and how rapidly that had happened.  Here’s a closer look.

I enjoy watching these members of the local cleaning crew as they patrol our neighborhood.  Soon they’ll be leaving us as they fly south for the winter.

I’ll be watching for them come spring when they return to their rounds in this area.  Now if I can get a shot of the goshawk this winter.  I see him, but I’ve yet to capture an image.