Day 3.
Then I came across this vulture. So I set up my tripod and set about watching it. And I figured I could photograph it taking off if nothing else. How hard could that be?
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Well people came by and cars came by and the vulture was very good at changing position when I was distracted.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Jim said one thing to look for is species-specific behavior. I figured this counted as species-specific behavior.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
So I kept watching to see what it does with its time.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Sometimes it watches the birds fly by.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
And watches.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
And watches.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
It didn't seem bored. Or maybe it did.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Sometimes it just stood there.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Sometimes it fidgeted and I got excited thinking it might fly.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
It didn't.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Except when I got distracted again.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Then it moved to the top of the tree.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
And more birds came by.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
It watched.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
And watched, as did I.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Till I got distracted.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
And then I came upon this vulture. Same one??
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
So I set up my tripod again and watched.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
It spent a lot of time fidgeting on its limb.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Or having trouble staying in place, though it didn't seem windy.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Or maybe exercising?
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
At last if flew a little!
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Bird in flight!
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdBlack VultureVirginiaVulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAsian elkAssateague IslandBovids CervidsElkMammalSika deerSika elkVirginia
Oh, and I saw a great egret, too. What it did was walk around and eat.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non humanAssateague IslandBirdEgretGreat EgretVirginiaWading Bird