Today, at ~ 0900, while turning into the entrance of Saddle Lakes Condos, on the n/s/o Middle Rd. (where we live) out of the corner of my eye, I saw a # of large, dark birds with outstretched wings, standing in the infield of the above school, located at the s/w/c/o Ostrander Ave & Middle Rd.
By the time I finished confusing our "guardian of the gate" by entering and exiting in record time, and before seeing the birds again, I realized my original flash as to species, was to say the least, a cruel twist of one's imagination ! Knowing what they were (Turkey Vultures) before laying eyes on them again, was of little consolation, but I did manage to get some terrific photos...from when most of them were "sunning" at the same time, to when a couple of them looked like they were playing ball ! It seems a soft ball had been left on the field in the vicinity of 2nd base, and some of the roaming birds must have thought it might be edible. At first, they tried pulling at the ball with their bills without success, before pushing the ball a head of them for a foot or so, by again, using their bills. A couple of people stopped as I was shooting to ask what kind of birds I was looking at, and complimented me on the use of my car, in order to get a clearer shot at them. Because of the 5 ft cyclone fence around the field, I had to park my car up on the grass shoulder of the road, as close to the fence as possible, and still be able to stand on the running board, which allowed me to position the camera above the fence, and not through it ! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
