Vulture, Vulture

With an impressive wing span of 72 inches, turkey vultures are a neighbor in our neck of the woods.  The species spends only summers with us, and then heads south during the colder months.  You will find them year round in parts of Mexico, Central America and all of South America.  Sounds like a smart bird to me, as outside the weather is more conducive to snowman building.  This picture was taken over the summer, and I found him perched upon the branch of a cottonwood in our backyard.  Thankfully, this bird is more interested in rotting flesh, thereby giving our trio of furry creatures a break from being hunted.