As  I walked with Emma a few minutes ago, I saw a turkey vulture circling way up high. Then there were two. As Emma happily sniffed at the grass, I tilted my head and watched the vultures gracefully circle each other against the blue sky. Then a third joined.  A fourth and fifth. Everything inside me felt lighter as I witnessed those birds soaring above. They circled higher and higher, their red heads no longer identifiable, as white underwings flashed in the late sun.

Image not great but this is exactly how the light flashed on the underwings. April 3, 2024

Eventually, they started flying back toward us and just before they were overhead, a seventh vulture joined. I kept my eyes on them, turning to follow their flight until the sun blinded me. Such a gift. And when I saw that Emma was sitting quietly, waiting for me to finish, I felt even more at peace. What a good doggie.

We’ve been seeing turkey vultures on our walks for the last few weeks which makes me happy. It helps knowing they continue to fly free above all the cruelty and violence happening down below. It also just helps knowing such amazing birds exist, we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

That same trip to Lake Hasty. April 2, 2024

Because, did you know this fun fact from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology?

• The Turkey Vulture’s stomach acid is extremely acidic, so Turkey Vultures can digest just about anything. This also allows them to eat carcasses tainted with anthrax, tuberculosis, and rabies without getting sick. By taking care of the carrion, vultures provide an essential service for the health of our ecosystems. Without them, carcasses would accumulate, and diseases would spread from rotting flesh.

All hail the Turkey Vulture!