Day 3.

This morning we edited some pics and the afternoon was on our own. I chose to hike on and near a part of the Assateague Island wildlife loop drive. Jim had talked about the need for a wildlife photographer to get to know his/her subjects so I decided, if I saw some wildlife, to try to get to know them better.

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 human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
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 human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
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 human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
So I kept watching to see what it does with its time.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Sometimes it watches the birds fly by.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
And watches.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
And watches.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
It didn't seem bored. Or maybe it did.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Sometimes it just stood there.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Sometimes it fidgeted and I got excited thinking it might fly.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
It didn't.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Except when I got distracted again.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Then it moved to the top of the tree.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
And more birds came by.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
It watched.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
And watched, as did I.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Till I got distracted.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
So I moved on. I found this tree.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island Virginia
And the dark secret of the area.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Assateague Island Explanation Sign Information Virginia
And then I came upon this vulture. Same one??
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
So I set up my tripod again and watched.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
It spent a lot of time fidgeting on its limb.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Or having trouble staying in place, though it didn't seem windy.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Or maybe exercising?
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
At last if flew a little!
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Bird in flight!
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Black Vulture Virginia Vulture
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Asian elk Assateague Island Bovids Cervids Elk Mammal Sika deer Sika elk Virginia
Oh, and I saw a great egret, too. What it did was walk around and eat.
Assateague Island National Seashore
Animal non human Assateague Island Bird Egret Great Egret Virginia Wading Bird

UPWaterfaller

Day 3.