Deep in the nest cavity, the little white fluff under the breast of the parent is a new turkey vulture chick.
What a treat today! I caught video of the parent turkey vultures during their shift change. We don’t have sound from the nest, yet. We are working on getting the sound up.
During the day we cannot see into the nest from the camera. At night, we can see deep inside with night vision. Fourteen feet to the bottom.
Est. hatch date range: sometime April 15-17. Empty shell pieces indicates hatched chicks.
Happy Hatching!!
Est. hatch date range: sometime April 15-17. Empty shell pieces indicates hatched chicks. the parent is hovering over chick(s). Sorry no images of the chicks, just the empty shells for now. But here is something for you –
Save 15% on No Place for UGLY Birds!
Edit your cart with discount code: 15hatch
Happy Hatching discount code good through 4-22-13.
No Place for UGLY Birds
Great day today at the Shasta Wildlife Rescue fundraising event.
I have been sharing some views of my backyard, here is a view of my front yard. Tim captured some nice shots of last night’s moon rising.
The pair of vultures in the nest tree. Turkey vultures live in our area year round. In February, a pair claims the nest. I don’t know if it is the same pair each year.
I went out into our backyard to get some reference photos of lighting on the trees. Just as I raised the camera to my eye, I hear an odd squeaky grunt from the west. I did not recognize the creature making such a sound. It did not sound like the call of a bird, nor did it sound like a critter on the ground. Quickly, I lowered the camera for a look.
I saw two turkey vultures tangled in a mating embrace in the nest tree just south of the big pond. I switched the camera to video to catch the moment and only managed to get the afterglow fluff of feathers.
Turkey vultures are very secretive. We lived here for almost ten years before we realized they were nesting in the hollow of an oak tree just south of the big pond. Even more years before we saw the nesting pairs enter and leave the nest.
The hollow of the tree extends fourteen feet to ground level. By the time the chicks can climb out, they are old enough to fly.
The next day, I watched from the workroom for the vultures to return to the tree. I hoped to catch them. Then they came, one after the other into the tree. I turned off the equipment and rushed out. I don’t usually take a rushed break in the middle of the work day, but I was on a mission.
I slipped around a tree to the southeast of their location and waited. The vultures, the aware bird that they are, already spotted me and were staring in my direction. Then they flew overhead and if they had voice boxes, I am sure they would have sounded a laugh.
So it begins, the nesting of the turkey vultures in our backyard. I will keep you posted.
As for me, I returned to work a little more productive after sneaking a little bliss.
Hollow oak tree. The vultures nest in the cavity every year. The entrance is 14 feet off the ground. to give you size perspective, I am 5’9″ tall.
A shot into the cavity of the tree where the turkey vultures raise their young.
Camera shy people never cease to amaze me. The lengths they go through to avoid the lens are impressive. As is the case with our daughter-in-law, Amanda. Most attempts to capture her on film end like these two shots.
However, if we are sneaky and distract her with finger painting or puppies, we can catch her in a moment.
The finger paints were for our grand-daughter. Much to our surprise and delight…Amanda and Stephen enjoyed them the most. photo MLivingston
Puppies serve as a perfect distraction to capture her beautiful smile. Along with our grand-daughter, she enjoys the pups. The one she is petting will grow up to be the sire to her dog. – photo MLivingston
If an official shot is required and she will gladly be in the frame with someone she loves. She is all smiles.
This is perhaps one of my favorites. I was so surprised how easy it was to take her picture for their wedding invitation. – photo by MLivingston
The most interesting thing about camera shy people is they are often the ones behind the lens. I think Amanda’s awareness of the discomfort the lens brings to others gives her sensitivity when she shoots portraits. Amanda is a gifted photographer. No, it is not her day job, but a visit to her Lightly Spiced Photography by A Adams Facebook page reveals her eye for composition, lighting and attention to a shot’s emotion. I hope you visit and see what she is up to.
I enjoy the portraits she takes. My favorites, of course, are the ones of our GrandThings.
Keep smiling and keep shooting –
Happy Birthday, Amanda
We Love You!
Thought you might like Tim’s side of our morning photo shoot. His inclusion of a “backside” might deserve its own post response.
Ever wonder what is going on behind the scenes with other blogs? This is a little snippet in the life of The Backdoor Artist. If you are a follower of my blog, you probably already know that I am married to The Backdoor Artist, Mary Livingston.
Mary has a front row seat to our backyard with a large window facing out from her work space. It is a wonderful view. A view which often provides for visual treats. Yesterday she spotted a large buck across the pond. She posted this adventure complete with beautiful pictures here at, http://thebackdoorartist.com/2012/12/11/animal-attraction/.
Spotting this big old buck prompted frantic camera grabbing and stealthful sneaking out into the yard to photograph the buck. When he didn’t run away, we plotted to stalk our subject for more and better shots. More frantic activity ensued with changing of clothes and getting shoes on. We came…
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An atmospheric river has settled in over California. We often call this the “pineapple express.” The winds are warm as the jet stream brings multiple water-laden storms one after another in from the south.
Three power poles snapped yesterday afternoon along the southwest side of our property. PG&E crews were on scene within a few hours and worked through the night. As of this post, still no power. We are using our mobile hotspot to check in with emails, posts and weather updates. Used a generator from the RV for our coffee.
Funny thing, people will tout this as climate change. Let me be clear, historically, this is not unusual for our area.
This was the view of our backyard at about 7 a.m. local time. The lights from the PG&E crews are impressive. Not to be outdone, the moonlight shows a bit through the broken clouds.
Gazing in the gift shop at the nutcrackers and dancers following the performance of “The Nutcracker.”
© 2012 MaryALivingston
Photo reference provided by
Lightly Spiced Photography by A. Adams
The holiday season is upon us. Adults worldwide look for ways to gift and treat the children in their lives.
Last year, I witnessed a most precious Christmas gift. One of our granddaughters loves ballet. Since she could stand she has twirled. Don’t know from where this comes. No one in the family dances other than for casual fun. So, her Papa and Nana took her, her older sister and their mom to a ballet performance of “The Nutcracker.” Little brother was too young to attend and Daddy was deployed half a world away.
We, Grandma and Grandpa, arrived for our visit the night before the ballet. Papa let us know his plans ahead of time, so we also procured tickets for the event.
Our two young granddaughters, ages 4 & 7, were in lovely dresses and shiny shoes. Their hair hung in beautiful locks. They were clearly prepared to attend an elegant event.
Being of small stature, it was hard for the littlest to see over the heads in front of her. She climbed in my lap for a better view.
The curtains opened and when the first ballerina twirled on her toes, the little one in my lap quivered and proclaimed, “I can do that!”
There were a few looks and even a “Shhhhh.”
Doesn’t everyone know the ballet requires silence?
She paid the naysayers no heed, for they did not register through her eagerness. As the show progressed, “I can do that,” would sound every now and again interspersed with an, “I can SO do that.”
This child’s love of ballet was coming to life before our eyes. With every pas de chat and arabesque she became more engaged.
She will remember this forever. Nana, Papa, Mama, Grandpa and Grandma will as well.
During a season when many overindulge, what mattered most to these little girls was spending time with their family at an event they treasured. Papa and Nana hit a home run with this gift, I am thankful we were there to share in the joy.
Some believe the expanse of lavish and numerous presents thrusts upon the little ones is a direct measure of love. Quite the opposite. I never for a moment doubted the love of my grandparents. Yet, over the years, I received not even one wrapped gift for a birthday or holiday from these two people who represented clear and abundant love. This was not because of culture or religious belief. They were poor. They barely had provisions for food and shelter. Sometimes not even that. Their gift everyday was love. The kind of love that reaches to your core. The kind of love that garners respect and delivers clear discipline. The kind of love that has the power to stay in a heart through times of joy and sorrow.
In this season, when it is all too easy to overindulge, take the time to build memories of love your children will treasure. We will all remember the ballet with Nana and Papa.
You may also like:
By Candlelight
I Don’t Do Princess
Granddaughter’s Note
Grandma’s Morning Cup
Humble thanks to The Forester Artist for nominating my blog for the Beautiful Blogger Award. I am blessed with his continued support and friendship He has a wonderful blog about “Creating art on the big canvas and the small ones too.”
It took me a few days to accept the nomination. You see, Tim is family. More on that upcoming in my Nov. 4 post, so stay tuned.
Rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated you
Thank you, Tim.
2. Post the award image to your page (see above)
3. Tell 7 facts about yourself
I met my husband (my best friend) on a blind date 32 years ago.
We have 2 wonderful sons, one of whom, along with his beautiful wife, have blessed us with 3 precious grandchildren.
I am a retired professional photographer.
I love dogs.
I enjoy creating.
I like my eggs fresh, store eggs need not apply. (Same goes for tomatoes.)
I pray.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers, and let them know about the nomination
I chose the following bloggers because of how they inspire me in their recognition of beauty in the world. They may hesitate to accept publicly…believe me, I understand. Whether they accept or not, I want you to meet them, these people who live their gift and thereby bless the world with beauty.
Artistic Expression by Felicia Lilley
Drawing and Painting Hobe Sound
Congratulations and thank you for your contribution to the blogging community.
Sneaking Bliss 