Thursday, April 2, 2009

Sky Watch Friday

Up at the late the other day, just before the sun set, the sky is just a clear and pretty shade of blue, not a cloud in the sky. Nothing exciting for Sky Watch... or so I thought. I look above the trees and there is a bird just floating there in the wind, motionless as if suspended in air, wings spread wide... and then it slowly begins to circle the sky.




I didn't expect it to hang around so long. Normally when I try something like this they fly further away. When I finally decided to see if I could get closer under it I think it saw me and read my mind. It flies towards me and I try following it with the camera.


Not a centered shot but better this than missing it entirely. Then it flew past me into the direction of the setting sun and the lighting doesn't allow for a well lit shot.


Again, better this than nothing. I was able to go home with a smile on my face. I looked it up a little while ago. It's a turkey vulture. Not as impressive as a golden eagle or something like that but definitely beautiful in flight and impressive in its own rights.

To participate in Sky Watch Friday and/or to see more great photos of the sky from all over the world Click here or on the Sky Watch Icon below:

31 comments:

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

You logged on to SkyWatch Friday just before us. We always greet the person just before and after us on Skywatch Friday. So, happy friday. Love the bird in flight and the music to go with it!!!! Think we're the first to post a comment for you. Here's to 40 more!

Linnea said...

Oh...you did luck out and you did a fine job capturing this wild creature. I love the second to last shot, where it got cut off a bit...really gives a sense of motion. Enjoy the sky...

Sylvia K said...

That is a stunning shot! And you certainly did a terrific job with the camera catching it!

Unknown said...

Wow, what a good catch and they are all beautiful, center or not as you've said better than nothing. Great skywatch.

Arlene said...

Hi Sweet, great shot! I feel that the big bird is your bird and he is posing for your shot!

Oppss i miss your watery wednesday for many weeks now. Just due to busy sked. I have no more time to blog hop entrants. But will be back one day.

Great wek-end to you!

Lori Skoog said...

The right place at the right time. Nice photos.

Bryan said...

I find Turkey Vultures pretty difficult to photograph. For some reason they always have poor lighting on them!

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is amazng that they seem to be ablt to stay up there for hours without flapping a wing. Sometimes I would like to be a bird. :)

Guy D said...

Brilliant captures, I just know when I logon to your blog I am in for something special.

Have a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures

Jane Hards Photography said...

Wonderful capture. Birds in flight are so majestic.

Gemma Wiseman said...

I think you have done so well capturing all these shots! You can feel the wind beneath the wings!

Cathy said...

Great shots! Beautiful!

Jim Klenke said...

You got some great shots. I have tried to get the vultures here but the always seem to be so high up.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

would be nice with a rabbit from the tallons

Mary said...

Great shots! So close and detailed. I can see the red head.

imom said...

Don't you just love when something unexpected happens when photographing?! Stunning shots, he looks like he wanted to be the star of sky watch!

I've been looking around at your other photos and they are wonderful!

Carol said...

Great captures of this bird in flight! Beautiful! I posted a turkey vulture shot on tuesday...I was surprised to see yours.

Barb said...

Just mesmerizing to view your shots of the vulture in flight! I like the way the sun is coming through the feathers on certain photos. Very nice!

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Nice shots of the bird flying.

LuLo Designs/Blue Eyed Tango said...

I think you did a great job of photographing them! Birds in flight are hard. I have a photo of a pair of turkey vultures on a roof and thought it was fun...maybe I'll post them sometime! Love the sky against them...thanks for sharing!

Tarolino said...

My my. These are excellent. What a catch. A handsome and powerful creature. If I ever get photos of a bird of pray even half as good as these I will be happy. Had it been me taking these shots I would have gone home with such a wide grin that I would have split my lip.

Tammie Lee said...

Wonderful photos! A friend once told me the turkey vulture is known as the bird of peace because it never kills for it's food, just road side kills etc.

Arija said...

well done, nice shots.

Laurieluc said...

So majestic! A beautiful capture, i love the last shot.

Judy said...

A wonderful series!! I have run through it several times now! I love the way the sun highlights the feathers in some of the shots!! I have never seen a turkey vulture that close before, and it really did seem to be playing with you!!

Erin said...

happy saturday t...great capture of the vulture...we've some around here i have been trying to get a good shot of...one of these days.
have a great rest of the weekend.

prkl said...

I like the second from bottom. I have no prob with it not showing entirely or being attached to the top. The light is also nice, shadow leaves room for imagination. Looks like it's gonna dive fast towards the light. Very nice shot indeed. Happy SWF!

ViennaDaily said...

Great captures! the meaning of peace!

DeniseinVA said...

Fantastic photos of a truly magnificent bird.

storyteller said...

Wonderful series of soaring photos!
Hugs and blessings,

Girl Tornado said...

What a magnificent photo of this impressive bird! :-) You have some great photos on your blog, well done!