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| Its sinister eye, looking and searching in the windy sky - For whatever it might see below -- |
| Out of the Cold North Sky it came --- Its Naked Red Head obvious --- Contrasting against the dark, gray-blue clouds ---- |
| Breaking into the Sunlight --- Wings Dipping --- Mastering the wind gusts as it glides --- A Magnificent Bird --- in a sense --- defying its reputation ---- as easily as it defies gravity. |
| Photos Taken on the morning of April 11, 2008, Troy, MO. A very windy morning as a cold front was moving through. We were having our morning coffee, watching the feeder birds when Nancy, my wife, yelled; "John - Big Bird - Get your camera!" |
| All Photographs, Copyright John Hitzeman, 2008, Troy, MO |
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| Since the Turkey Vulture feeds on carion (dead animals) its head is featherless, and this acts as an aid against infection. Note how the trailing primary and secondary wing feathers are gray, compared to the dark brown/black of the wing's leading edge. |
| The Turkey Vulture's wingspan is approximately Six Feet wide. |