Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Look Upon Whose Path I Crossed...


You often times never know what will cross your path or whose path you may cross. The first occurrence this morning was a cast (group of vultures) of Black Vultures. The tree they were in was ideal for their purpose. It provided safety for their evening roost, it gave them vision advantages with the height of its branches and it gave them total access to the morning sun. Seeing this many perched at one time was a first for me. When the sun came out from the fog and clouds, they turned their backs to it and stretched out their wings and soaked up the early morning heat. There were Barn Swallows skimming the tops of the field grasses picking up insects; one decided to stop for a moment. A little further away than I would like but the gift was offered so I accepted and took a couple of photos. The Field Sparrows are frequent path crossers but rarely on their own same path. I took advantage and snapped a few photos. Interruptions often times will alter a path. Like a sound, a tune, a Yellow Warbler turned my head and allowed me a couple photos. Then I noticed something that was all around me almost throughout all my morning trek, Grasshoppers. These guys were everywhere. So… I took a few photos of them too. Then an Eastern Kingbird took advantage of a field perch. His selection had an excellent degree of luxury.

Black Vultures beginning their day...



Barn Swallow

Barn Swallow
Field Sparrow... I liked his perch...
Field Sparrow
Yellow Warbler

Yellow Warbler
































Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

   

11 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

GREAT shots! i'd have a tough time picking a favorite, but maybe the kingbird w/ wings. amazing!

Lois Evensen said...

Amazing images!

Samantha said...

I absolutely adore vultures..nature's sanitation crew!

LOVED those shots!

Kjell T. Evensen said...

The five first images would fit Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Birds." I can see image eight framed and in B&W hanging in the lobby of Hampton Inn. They are all great shots.

Larry Ostby said...

TWG, thanks a lot :)

Thank you Lois.

Thank you Samantha, we need these guys don't we.

Kjell thank you, that movie brings back some memories. Image eight, B&W, good idea.

Steve Ferendo said...

Those vultures look like some kind of bizzare, or macabe, totem. Kind of spooky but cool none the less.

grammie g said...

Hi Larry ...somewhat slow ,but here1

Fantastic post ...just love those Vulture shot!!
The Sparrow perch is pretty cool ..I love the way is curls!! : }}
Nice group of wings and hoppers to!!
I love grasshoppers,but let one of them land on me unexpected and you hear me let a scream out!! : }
Grace

Larry Ostby said...

Thanks Steve, those guys do have that kind of reputation.

Grace, thank you. :)

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I used to not like the vultures because of what they represented. When we moved to the country, I disliked them even more. Then my husband (who grew up on a farm) and living where we do now, taught me about the good that they do, and that need to eat too--so while they'll never be my favorites like the other birds, I do respect them.

PS: I love 'crispness' in your grasshopper shots!

Larry Ostby said...

Thank you Kim :) Some things in nature can get pretty messy and nasty, glad to have these guys take care of that stuff.

Chain Stitch Crochet said...

Awesome pics! Do you have mimosa's in MD? The vulture pics look like they have a GA background. :o)