I hiked w/ my boys to a vernal pool last Friday night to listen to the "peep show." Nothing makes me happier than these tiny toads & their frisky business. Mating in roadside ditches--that line delights me. Thank you for your good work.
Thank you! I adore these birds. My dad said after he died, he wanted to come back as a vulture. My mom, his ex-wife, commented, "Once was not enough?" We all laughed, my dad included. Now they all make me think he's still here. Amazing birds.
I have a soft spot for Turkey Vultures. They're the unsung heroes of Nature. This line is so appropriate: "At the very least, once a day, stop what you’re doing. Look up. I’ll be there — an ugly head on tender wings. A messenger, a reminder." An excellent reminder, Bryan and thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Kimberly -- that means a lot to me. And I must say that your notion of "death in her full spectrum of color and glory" does indeed have me thinking -- a lot -- this evening.
I feel lucky to live where turkey vultures glide over my yard and surf the westerly breeze running up the hill towards the house. When they come in low, banking and stalling, the rowdier of our two dogs watches, barks and runs to the fence. Sometimes they land on the peak of our old barn/shed to rest and air their wings. Once they’re spotted, that triggers both of our dogs and the birds lift off again.
Love the ‘Vulture’ narrating the story. Maybe a couple of raspy/hissy,coughing sounds, combined with some throat clearing would be a bit more realistic . I have gained a healthy respect for Vultures over the years. As long as they’re not circling above me. Glad to report the first choir warm up of a Vernal pool. Crazy, off key, and music to my ears. I slowly, and quietly, as quietly as a human can be, with snapping branches underfoot, recorded one with my elaborate equipment, my iPhone, just two days ago. I will always remember your post every spring;
While they are much more common here than hawks and eagles, I never overlook them. They have only been common in my area in the past 20 years, and I like watching them ride the wind.
I wave hello to the TVs when returning after the snow finally melts. I also give them a goodbye wave in the fall when they are drifting south in kettles. I love watching them cruise over our farm in between knowing that they are recycling and giving new life to all those nutrients. They are welcome here! Now I’m going to read your essay again! Thank you.
I’ve been a little behind on my reading… But that was poetry in the form of prose:)… beautiful and deeply touching about a creature that superficially is not classically beautiful. A feathered Cyrano perhaps 😉Your reading gave it humor, chiding humans to really see and sense our world . We needed that!
I’d love to know more about how indigenous people maintain(ed) their connection and understanding and respect of the natural world. They have been able to live in communion without conquering / controlling the nature around them. What do the indigenous think of us; what would they like to teach us ? How would they change the world if given the chance?
There are movements returning to the indigenous ways to restore the health of our forests and prairies and rivers and the animals who rely on them. Might even help with fire control.
Wonderful! Thank you for putting vultures in the spotlight for an evening, in such a lovely way. I find myself compelled to pause and watch as they soar (grateful for this pausing) and I always offer my thoughts of gratitude when they are busy, roadside, making sure what was taken by humans isn’t going to waste. They are magnificent. They are my hero birds.
I hiked w/ my boys to a vernal pool last Friday night to listen to the "peep show." Nothing makes me happier than these tiny toads & their frisky business. Mating in roadside ditches--that line delights me. Thank you for your good work.
Hooray for the "peep show!" Got salamanders?
A wonderful viewpoint! So fresh.
April's good for "fresh!"
Thank you! I adore these birds. My dad said after he died, he wanted to come back as a vulture. My mom, his ex-wife, commented, "Once was not enough?" We all laughed, my dad included. Now they all make me think he's still here. Amazing birds.
Ha! Good on your dad! And your mom's point of view!
I call TVs "The Clean Up Crew". Always glad to see them soaring over my house in the spring, and catching thermals over the meadow.
Clean-up crew, indeed. I think the TV's genus, Cathartes, derives from a word meaning "purifier." 😀
Addressing mortals,
Bryan speaks for the vultures. Learn and laugh poem?
As an entomologist, I also "speak for the spineless!"
I have a soft spot for Turkey Vultures. They're the unsung heroes of Nature. This line is so appropriate: "At the very least, once a day, stop what you’re doing. Look up. I’ll be there — an ugly head on tender wings. A messenger, a reminder." An excellent reminder, Bryan and thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Neil. I'll admit: I kinda like that line as well 😀
So many wonderful lines! I especially loved: “But I can smell the lies of a weasel and the promise of wild leeks.”
Well done. Embodying death in her full spectrum of color and glory.
Thanks, Kimberly -- that means a lot to me. And I must say that your notion of "death in her full spectrum of color and glory" does indeed have me thinking -- a lot -- this evening.
Wonderful imagery.
I feel lucky to live where turkey vultures glide over my yard and surf the westerly breeze running up the hill towards the house. When they come in low, banking and stalling, the rowdier of our two dogs watches, barks and runs to the fence. Sometimes they land on the peak of our old barn/shed to rest and air their wings. Once they’re spotted, that triggers both of our dogs and the birds lift off again.
Oh, this is indeed entertainment! Thanks, Brian. (I wonder when a few might start over-wintering. We're seeing them more here in VT.
Love the ‘Vulture’ narrating the story. Maybe a couple of raspy/hissy,coughing sounds, combined with some throat clearing would be a bit more realistic . I have gained a healthy respect for Vultures over the years. As long as they’re not circling above me. Glad to report the first choir warm up of a Vernal pool. Crazy, off key, and music to my ears. I slowly, and quietly, as quietly as a human can be, with snapping branches underfoot, recorded one with my elaborate equipment, my iPhone, just two days ago. I will always remember your post every spring;
https://substack.com/@bryanpfeiffer
4/16/2024.
Yeah, you did indeed capture their vocalizations, Lor!
I waiting to hear wood frogs here in Montpelier!
While they are much more common here than hawks and eagles, I never overlook them. They have only been common in my area in the past 20 years, and I like watching them ride the wind.
I think they've been increasing here in VT for the past 40 years or so.
I wave hello to the TVs when returning after the snow finally melts. I also give them a goodbye wave in the fall when they are drifting south in kettles. I love watching them cruise over our farm in between knowing that they are recycling and giving new life to all those nutrients. They are welcome here! Now I’m going to read your essay again! Thank you.
This is beautiful -- thanks so much, Diana!
I’ve been a little behind on my reading… But that was poetry in the form of prose:)… beautiful and deeply touching about a creature that superficially is not classically beautiful. A feathered Cyrano perhaps 😉Your reading gave it humor, chiding humans to really see and sense our world . We needed that!
I’d love to know more about how indigenous people maintain(ed) their connection and understanding and respect of the natural world. They have been able to live in communion without conquering / controlling the nature around them. What do the indigenous think of us; what would they like to teach us ? How would they change the world if given the chance?
There are movements returning to the indigenous ways to restore the health of our forests and prairies and rivers and the animals who rely on them. Might even help with fire control.
Thanks for this. Yep, we have much to learn -- even from indigenous vultures!
This is beautiful! I love it (and turkey vultures). I once saw one yawn like a kitten. They are so much more than an "ugly head on tender wings."
Wonderful! Thank you for putting vultures in the spotlight for an evening, in such a lovely way. I find myself compelled to pause and watch as they soar (grateful for this pausing) and I always offer my thoughts of gratitude when they are busy, roadside, making sure what was taken by humans isn’t going to waste. They are magnificent. They are my hero birds.
I have so many heroes in the world -- I'm glad you invoked that!
Goodness, Bryan, so great to read, and thank you! This line hit me hard: "I can smell the lies of a weasel and the promise of wild leeks."
When we lived in New York, turkey vultures were around all the time. I love them!
Sitting on the dune sand awaiting sunrise on the beach at Cape Lookout
Too early for the vultures but later maybe
Thanks for making this morning better
Stan
Oh, but I'd love to see what else is flying past you! :-)