Super Halloween post! The way the fence wire is positioned along his beak in the first one it makes it look like he's smiling. :) It's pouring rain here today and I'm not sure I like it at all.
Happy Halloween to you TOO. That's a perfect bird to share on Halloween. He's not the prettiest bird I've seen!!!! ha
Have a wonderful day. It's pouring rain here this morning and the yard is covered with leaves --even after using the leaf blower yesterday. Oh Well!!!!!
This is truly a critter fit for Halloween!! It's actually a nicer looking bird than I realized...most of what I think of when I hear vulture is the old cartoons!!
Hi Snap! Nice post. I haven't explored our Zoo yet, but I plan to one of these days. Thank God for good weather today, would hate to see the dripping Trick-or-treaters! Happy Halloween neighbor!
wow he is huge!Perfect choice for Halloween date! :) For sure I will be scared about this critter! Happy Halloween and Happy Camera Critters! and a beautiful weekend! purrs Luna - We love Luna
HEHE Its a perfect choice for Halloween He looks scary ...... LOL Happy Halloween :) hugs from Kareltje =^.^=
October 31, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Anonymous said...
Appropriate indeed! I m sure he was quite flattered when you told him he would be the star of your Halloween post-you know those ravens and crows have been stealing his close ups for years!!! Happy Halloween! XOXOXOXOOX
That calls for a special post. It's back to the Houston Zoo photography day. It rained lightly all morning. I met this gentleman early that day and thought Halloween!
[Image]
CINEREOUS VULTURE (EUROPEAN BLACK VULTURE)
[Image]
A large bird, the cinereous vulture can measure more than three feet in height and has a wingspan that can extend up to ten feet. Cinereous vultures have dark brown feathers with a dull blue head, neck and bill.
Their status is seriously threatened globally due to hunting, poisoning, habitat destruction and improved stock management. The international trade of this species is regulated by law, since it may become endangered without regulated trade.
These vultures build their nests in trees and on cliffs high above the ground, using sticks and twigs as building materials. Males and females cooperate in rearing young.
[Image] This particular vulture was hatched in captivity in a special breeding program. The Houston Zoo is well known for its amazing birds, many of which are never on display -- behind the scenes in special breeding programs in an attempt to maintain the particular species.
If you enlarge on the photos, you'll see this bird liked the rain!
21 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formWow, he is big and what a cool cirtter he is! Great photos and post for Halloween.
October 31, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Quite appropriate for Halloween, he scared the creepers outa me! hehehee
Have a wonderful weekend & Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Super Halloween post!
The way the fence wire is positioned along his beak in the first one it makes it look like he's smiling. :)
It's pouring rain here today and I'm not sure I like it at all.
October 31, 2009 at 10:59 AM
He looks mean!
I played too :)
October 31, 2009 at 11:01 AM
enormously big!
BOO! Here's my Camera Critters entry. Have a spooky one!
October 31, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Happy Halloween to you TOO. That's a perfect bird to share on Halloween. He's not the prettiest bird I've seen!!!! ha
Have a wonderful day. It's pouring rain here this morning and the yard is covered with leaves --even after using the leaf blower yesterday. Oh Well!!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
October 31, 2009 at 12:18 PM
This is truly a critter fit for Halloween!! It's actually a nicer looking bird than I realized...most of what I think of when I hear vulture is the old cartoons!!
October 31, 2009 at 12:54 PM
They are not very handsome critters...but, you photographed them very well. I think a vulture is just about perfect for Halloween! Great post.
October 31, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Fabulous shots! I will link to your post. We have turkeys: wild and vultures here. And your cats... precious!
October 31, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Hi Snap! Nice post. I haven't explored our Zoo yet, but I plan to one of these days. Thank God for good weather today, would hate to see the dripping Trick-or-treaters! Happy Halloween neighbor!
October 31, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Snap: Neat shots of the vulture, I love to see the Turkey Vultures flying above.
October 31, 2009 at 1:28 PM
wow he is huge!Perfect choice for Halloween date! :)
For sure I will be scared about this critter!
Happy Halloween and Happy Camera Critters!
and a beautiful weekend!
purrs
Luna - We love Luna
( and mommy Léia )
October 31, 2009 at 3:23 PM
HEHE
Its a perfect choice for Halloween
He looks scary ...... LOL
Happy Halloween :)
hugs from
Kareltje =^.^=
October 31, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Appropriate indeed! I m sure he was quite flattered when you told him he would be the star of your Halloween post-you know those ravens and crows have been stealing his close ups for years!!!
Happy Halloween!
XOXOXOXOOX
October 31, 2009 at 7:15 PM
A ten foot wingspan is huge! What a magnificent bird. Thanks for enlightening us on his threatened status.
October 31, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Wow! First time to see vulture up close. what a great post for Halloween!
October 31, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Nice shots of a none-too-handsome bird that fills an important niche in the ecosystem. Life would not be so pleasant without scavengers.
Nature in the Ozarks
November 1, 2009 at 1:15 AM
Scary mask that bird is wearing for Halloween. ;-)
November 1, 2009 at 6:54 AM
He is beautiful! Great pictures
November 1, 2009 at 10:02 AM
What a spooky fellow he is!!
November 1, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Hi Snap! I am a little late for wishing you a Happy Halloween so I'll wish you a Happy All Saint's Day instead!
That is a big guy!
November 1, 2009 at 8:49 PM