Dark Skies

Cholla Cactus at Sunset

Black Vultures.  My big break with the rare bird alert people/gurus.  And then it happened. I felt legit as a birder.   Rare for Tucson this time of year, I found over 50 in an area near the recharge ponds in Avra Valley on Mile Wide Road.  But they wouldn't believe me unless I took my pictures!

And so it began.  It wasn't the Groove Bill Ani I was chasing that would get me on the rare bird alert...but the Black Vulture!  Of all birds that would get me notice, it would be Black Vultures!  And they weren't even a lifebird for me! You never know when or where luck will strike, but I'll take it:)  I scheduled my morning to find the Crested Caracaras, Ani, and Northern Parula.  2 of the 3 birds I'd find, but forget about the Caracaras. 

It was an early morning to be on the road alone.  But I drove listening to inspirational music to keep my spirits high.  It was cold and I was almost at my destination when these birds flew out from under a bridge.  I nearly crapped myself.  What the.....??!!!

I got out of the car and smiled from ear to ear.  This was one for the record books.  10 had been reported but I counted over 50 around the area.  Which could have meant only one thing.  Death.

Black Vultures

I parked my car and prayed to the gods that it not be a human.  It went something like this, "Please please please let this not be a person."  I held my cell phone close.  You see, in Arizona anything is possible.  It may sound funny in this writing but I assure you....it's not. I prepare for that mentally everytime I go to strange and isolated areas.  And I am now thankful that I have a cell.

I walk closer to the bridge but something spooks the birds.  I hear howling and yipping.

The mass of vultures fly off and I spot why they're quick to leave.  Cell phone is held closer.  This time it's on.

I take a pic of them on the line and I see coyotes running from under the bridge.

The question is.....what in the world is this?  I am still puzzled.  The Vultures were there for the carcass, but is this a coyote?  I didn't want to get too close because the ravine was deep.  Were the coyotes feeding on this carcass or were they mourning the loss of a member from their pack?  I left the scene just as confused as I had been when I got there.  Whatever happened, I made it on the rare bird alert watch.  However I was lectured about my JPEG size when submitting photos:) I guess I'll never win:) But all that's goofy nonsense.  What do you think really happened here?

More tomorrow....