After a long hiatus here I am returning with a lead-in such as given. You might wonder. I suspect there may be someone who immediately knows what this is. Well, maybe not.
We spent a day in Blacksburg (VA) for a special family activity and on the way back chose to drive a portion on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The stretch we chose began at Bent Mountain and continued to the Buena Vista area. I had made a similar drive in 1967 (on a different stretch) in either late May or early June when the Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel were showing their colors. Much too early this time for colors with the exception of what we believed to be the "Silver Bell" trees (for those of you needing the formal name: Halesia carolina") which from a distance suggested it might be a dogwood.
Still too early for dogwood and other colors but a wonderful drive with an unimpeded view largely because we were early enough to beat the leaves and Spring growth. There were few on the road as most facilities were closed and the side venture was much our own; save for a few hikers.
A portion of the drive is shared with the Appalachian Trail; a hiking trail that runs approximately 2200 miles along the crest of the Appalachians from Georgia to Maine traversing 14 states. The trek is one which many attempt to accomplish. Not all make it. A few years ago the stats were suggesting of those attempting to complete the entire walk only about 20% actually completed endeavor successfully. It is typical for one to begin in the early Spring in Georgia and then to finish 5 to 6 months later in Maine. This allows for cool weather at the beginning and a finish before the winter weather arrives to the north. Few attempt the trek from north to south.
Along the way we stopped and visited a hiking family of 6, 4 children and their parents, who had started in Georgia and were already in Virginia. The children were pre-teens and had their own packs and equipment. They were resting by a tree where 2 of the boys were already sitting on branches and I proposed taking their picture with all either in the tree or cradled in the split base. The picture was with their camera. In this day and age I just didn't have the nerve to ask to use mine as well. It would have been a nice picture and I hope they enjoy the one I took for them. Apparently they are a hiking family having prepared themselves on a 200 mile trek in England. A far cry from the 2200 mile trek they now faced but they looked none the worse for wear. As is frequently the case with trail hikers, before leaving they had mailed supplies ahead to different post offices along the way for those post offices to hold the supplies until they arrived to collect them. There are shelters along the way and they had spent the night before during the heavy overnight rains protected from the elements. Nevertheless, we wished them well and drove off in the comfort of our car.
Oh, I guess I should return to "Cathartes aura."
The turkey vulture. I've seen many turkey "buzzards" before, even one flying around the old courthouse in Manassas. Never before had I seen so many in one day. They were either soaring above us or, as this one is doing, doing that which comes naturally. Although I've always called them "buzzards" they are actually vultures. I'm not sure I know the difference. In any event they rely upon dead animals for the vast majority of their diet. Here is one doing just that with a squirrel. He (or she) had a couple of friends who had retreated as we approached but this one was obviously hungrier and felt no fear from our presence. We eased forward and this one did retreat to a nearby tree but clearly with the intent to return for dessert. The tree wasn't far away and the location allowed me to take a better pic with a clearer depiction of colors.
I was surprised to learn that these creatures have their own "interest group." There is a "Turkey Vulture Society" which, among its purposes, is a dedication "to promote scientific study of the life habits and needs of the Turkey Vulture, to protect the vulture and its habitat, and to inform the public of the valuable and essential services this bird provides to us and the environment." I really only know two things about this raptor. It is obviously a good answer to cleansing our streets of road kill and it is dumb. It doesn't know enough to shelter itself from the weather. Very recently in a spring snow, sleet and freezing rain storm in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a large turkey vulture dropped out of the sky onto the deck of a home. The husband remarked "My wife was making breakfast, and she suddenly yelled, 'Adam! A large bird just fell out of the sky.'" The bird was iced over but still alive. The vulture is being nursed back to health (thawed) and will probably soon again be soaring over the Sioux Falls countryside. Doubtful the lesson has been learned so Sioux Falls residents be warned. Also, there have been other reports of similar incidents involving these birds following this incident. Maybe the "Society" has an answer?
As we passed our friend we encountered some beautiful vistas and a most relaxing meander home.
The Peaks of Otter were on the way...
...and then the flat lands to the east where home awaited.
...til next time...
We spent a day in Blacksburg (VA) for a special family activity and on the way back chose to drive a portion on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The stretch we chose began at Bent Mountain and continued to the Buena Vista area. I had made a similar drive in 1967 (on a different stretch) in either late May or early June when the Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel were showing their colors. Much too early this time for colors with the exception of what we believed to be the "Silver Bell" trees (for those of you needing the formal name: Halesia carolina") which from a distance suggested it might be a dogwood.
Still too early for dogwood and other colors but a wonderful drive with an unimpeded view largely because we were early enough to beat the leaves and Spring growth. There were few on the road as most facilities were closed and the side venture was much our own; save for a few hikers.
A portion of the drive is shared with the Appalachian Trail; a hiking trail that runs approximately 2200 miles along the crest of the Appalachians from Georgia to Maine traversing 14 states. The trek is one which many attempt to accomplish. Not all make it. A few years ago the stats were suggesting of those attempting to complete the entire walk only about 20% actually completed endeavor successfully. It is typical for one to begin in the early Spring in Georgia and then to finish 5 to 6 months later in Maine. This allows for cool weather at the beginning and a finish before the winter weather arrives to the north. Few attempt the trek from north to south.
Along the way we stopped and visited a hiking family of 6, 4 children and their parents, who had started in Georgia and were already in Virginia. The children were pre-teens and had their own packs and equipment. They were resting by a tree where 2 of the boys were already sitting on branches and I proposed taking their picture with all either in the tree or cradled in the split base. The picture was with their camera. In this day and age I just didn't have the nerve to ask to use mine as well. It would have been a nice picture and I hope they enjoy the one I took for them. Apparently they are a hiking family having prepared themselves on a 200 mile trek in England. A far cry from the 2200 mile trek they now faced but they looked none the worse for wear. As is frequently the case with trail hikers, before leaving they had mailed supplies ahead to different post offices along the way for those post offices to hold the supplies until they arrived to collect them. There are shelters along the way and they had spent the night before during the heavy overnight rains protected from the elements. Nevertheless, we wished them well and drove off in the comfort of our car.
Oh, I guess I should return to "Cathartes aura."
The turkey vulture. I've seen many turkey "buzzards" before, even one flying around the old courthouse in Manassas. Never before had I seen so many in one day. They were either soaring above us or, as this one is doing, doing that which comes naturally. Although I've always called them "buzzards" they are actually vultures. I'm not sure I know the difference. In any event they rely upon dead animals for the vast majority of their diet. Here is one doing just that with a squirrel. He (or she) had a couple of friends who had retreated as we approached but this one was obviously hungrier and felt no fear from our presence. We eased forward and this one did retreat to a nearby tree but clearly with the intent to return for dessert. The tree wasn't far away and the location allowed me to take a better pic with a clearer depiction of colors.
I was surprised to learn that these creatures have their own "interest group." There is a "Turkey Vulture Society" which, among its purposes, is a dedication "to promote scientific study of the life habits and needs of the Turkey Vulture, to protect the vulture and its habitat, and to inform the public of the valuable and essential services this bird provides to us and the environment." I really only know two things about this raptor. It is obviously a good answer to cleansing our streets of road kill and it is dumb. It doesn't know enough to shelter itself from the weather. Very recently in a spring snow, sleet and freezing rain storm in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a large turkey vulture dropped out of the sky onto the deck of a home. The husband remarked "My wife was making breakfast, and she suddenly yelled, 'Adam! A large bird just fell out of the sky.'" The bird was iced over but still alive. The vulture is being nursed back to health (thawed) and will probably soon again be soaring over the Sioux Falls countryside. Doubtful the lesson has been learned so Sioux Falls residents be warned. Also, there have been other reports of similar incidents involving these birds following this incident. Maybe the "Society" has an answer?
As we passed our friend we encountered some beautiful vistas and a most relaxing meander home.
The Peaks of Otter were on the way...
...and then the flat lands to the east where home awaited.
...til next time...
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