Part of the fun of taking a nature walk is that you never know what you’re going to see. Encounters with nature, no matter how small, are blessings to be enjoyed and appreciated.
“Unexpected and pleasant surprises occur every day … We will notice if we look. We will see good sprinkled liberally over every day if we are open.” ~Steve Goodier
The American Black Vulture is a little more dapper than his fellow scavenger, the Turkey Vulture, sporting glossy black feathers and a gray neck and head. The Black Vulture is also said to be more social and prone to maintaining family ties. We spotted these as they were taking in the view from the top of a tree at the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.
“When you are out on a limb, the whole world is at your feet.” ~Unknown
Vultures are fascinating birds. On the ground, their wrinkled, featherless heads, grayish white legs and large, flat feet give them quite an awkward and uncomely appearance.
But in the air, they are absolutely stunning birds as they circle majestically over the farm fields, riding the thermals and looking for food. They soar and glide with elegance and style. It’s hard to reconcile the fact that such an inelegant looking bird on the ground could look so graceful in the air.
“Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.” ~Francis Bacon
“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” ~Joyce Meyer
“Never sacrifice your class to get even with someone who has none. Take the high road.” ~Unknown
A group of vultures settling in for the night.
They rendezvous high in a tree
like sitting ducks
Scavenging birds of prey —
Nature’s garbage trucks.
“As a little kid, I climbed a lot of trees because I always loved the bird’s-eye view.” ~Felix Baumgartner
walking on a country road 