Wildlife, living next to nature

xoxoxoBruce · 06-09-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carruthers

In this corner of SE England the has been re-introduced in recent years having been persecuted almost to extinction by Victorian game keepers.
With a wing span approaching six feet, it's an impressive bird even if it does lack the gravitas of the vulture.

Gravitas? Vultures?

Look at the video, 60 Fagins.
Ill mannered, noisy, squabbling, garbagemen. Useful, even valuable, part of natures balance, but they ain't got no stinkin' gravitas.

Carruthers · 06-09-2016, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Gravitas? Vultures?

Look at the video, 60 Fagins.
Ill mannered, noisy, squabbling, garbagemen. Useful, even valuable, part of natures balance, but they ain't got no stinkin' gravitas.

Yes, you make a valid point!
Perhaps 'avoir du pois' might have been more fitting!

Even if it is French.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-09-2016, 10:29 AM

For me, the word Vulture prompts many more mental images than any other bird, none soaring gracefully, and some of them a quite disgusting.

Gravdigr · 06-09-2016, 12:12 PM

You don't see the gracefulness of a soaring vulture?

xoxoxoBruce · 06-09-2016, 01:31 PM

I said that isn't an image that comes to mind when I hear the word vulture.
I use to do a lot of freshwater fishing in southern Delaware where there are tons of chicken farms. The only things I saw every damn time was vultures and Frank Purdue's trucks. Soaring they looked birdy, but on the ground they look ominous.
If you make them move when they are fine dining on roadkill, they don't fly away, they waddle to the edge pavement, not even onto the shoulder, then turn around and glare at you. Since their head is about window high to a car they look you in the eye and you can almost hear the curses.
Or when there's no roadkill... yet, they'll perch on something by the road and licking their beaks, watch you like a Warner Brothers cartoon.

Did I mention on hot sunny days they shit on their own legs and feet for the cooling effect?

They're the swamp buggy of birds, all about function, no frills.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-10-2016, 11:37 PM

Found a feather in the yard, obviously a wing feather. It's a medium brown. 13½" long, about 2¼" wide, has a bow of about 1", and the quill at the fat spot is 5/16". The two notches don't look like damage, but normal for this feather.

As you can see the barbs thin out near the tip. What isn't as obvious, is the lighter shade along the trailing edge curves up toward you about 3/8". At first I thought it was the curve causing the light to make it look a lighter shade but it's not. Holding it up to the light, the barbs, or rather the barbules, are less dense than closer to the shaft. The lighter shade is the paper reflecting light through it.
I tried sticking in my cap, but the tomato sauce ran right off.

06-09-2016, 10:29 AM	#3
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	For me, the word Vulture prompts many more mental images than any other bird, none soaring gracefully, and some of them a quite disgusting. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-09-2016, 12:12 PM	#4
Gravdigr The Un-Tuckian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: South Central...KY that is Posts: 39,517	You don't see the gracefulness of a soaring vulture? __________________ These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, EPA, FBI, DEA, CDC, or FDIC. These statements are not intended to diagnose, cause, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you feel you have been harmed/offended by, or, disagree with any of the above statements or images, please feel free to fuck right off.

06-09-2016, 01:31 PM	#5
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I said that isn't an image that comes to mind when I hear the word vulture. I use to do a lot of freshwater fishing in southern Delaware where there are tons of chicken farms. The only things I saw every damn time was vultures and Frank Purdue's trucks. Soaring they looked birdy, but on the ground they look ominous. If you make them move when they are fine dining on roadkill, they don't fly away, they waddle to the edge pavement, not even onto the shoulder, then turn around and glare at you. Since their head is about window high to a car they look you in the eye and you can almost hear the curses. Or when there's no roadkill... yet, they'll perch on something by the road and licking their beaks, watch you like a Warner Brothers cartoon. Did I mention on hot sunny days they shit on their own legs and feet for the cooling effect? They're the swamp buggy of birds, all about function, no frills. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-10-2016, 11:37 PM	#6
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Found a feather in the yard, obviously a wing feather. It's a medium brown. 13½" long, about 2¼" wide, has a bow of about 1", and the quill at the fat spot is 5/16". The two notches don't look like damage, but normal for this feather. As you can see the barbs thin out near the tip. What isn't as obvious, is the lighter shade along the trailing edge curves up toward you about 3/8". At first I thought it was the curve causing the light to make it look a lighter shade but it's not. Holding it up to the light, the barbs, or rather the barbules, are less dense than closer to the shaft. The lighter shade is the paper reflecting light through it. I tried sticking in my cap, but the tomato sauce ran right off. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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