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These are some of the photos I took on our trip, Oct. 1, 2011. You can see more of my nature photos at http//www.flickr.com/steve_a_t/. You will need cut and paste address.
The buzzards are Turkey Vultures. It’s obvious in the photos of the soaring bird if you look at the flight feathers on the wing. I believe the roosting bird is also a juvenile Turkey Vulture. Note the length of the tail.
Great pictures, Steve — Loved the Downy, caterpillar, thistle… you captured the mood of the day. I think Donald’s right and I’m wrong about those being Turkey not Black Vultures. The tail is too long, as he says, for the Blacks — aka, the “flying wings”… Guess I was fooled by the not-red head and bright white feet… but he’s right to say it’s probably a juvenile Turkey. Sorry to steer you wrong — thought for sure one of them had that nearly non-existent tail, but maybe not — Oh, well, live and learn! Learn… not to listen to me! (ha!)
I do not know where to post this observation, but this is as good a place as any!
First, as I read the comments posted about the Pontotoc vultures from our trip a while ago, I thought the vulture parked in the tree was a black vulture too. Its little head looked like it was cloaked in a black and white corrugated cover that extended well into the neck region. Of course, I am a botanist.
But, more importantly ( it is the 19th of November, 2011), the cedar waxwings and multitudes of American robins have returned. Evidence of their arrival dot my walkways with privet, cedar, and pear remains. I turned off the radio to hear the high pitched whistle sound the waxwings make. My question is, just where are these birds coming from? Do the robins leave the hills of North Dakota to spend the holidays in Oklahoma? Are the waxwings going north or south? Just wondering.
Robins gather in large flocks and generally fly south for the winter, although some could be local birds. Waxwings wander around a lot in search of food, so they may travel north or south. Oklahoma is south of their breeding range, however.