Hey, they perform a service…

On my way back from the lake today, this scavenger was, um, working on removing a dead raccoon from the small country road. They may not be God's most beautiful creatures, but as suggested above, they perform a service…

I'm told this is a Black vulture, or American black vulture; see https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Black_Vulture/id
It seems my location is at the northern edge of their range.

1 year ago (“Buddleja (Butterfly bush)”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-06-11
2 years ago (“Water Willow”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-06-11
3 years ago (“Jenny’s choice”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-06-11
4 years ago (“Circling the tower”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-06-11
5 years ago (“New towels”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-06-11

[ IMG_0965S8x12tm :: f/5.6 :: 1/250" :: ISO-200 :: 232mm ]

[Maggiemae]

Yes, these carnivores of the skies get needed food from animals who fail to cross the road safely! Good shot!

[Myrna O'Hara]

wow, you've been on 356 a long time!! congrats. Good thing we have these to clean up the road kill since they closed down the cafe.

[Thom Mitchell]

@sailingmusic Maybe too long, Myrna. Some days it's a "photo journal opportunity" and some days it's an "artistic outlet" or "educational outlet" as I learn about the world around me. But to be honest, with a broken dSLR — dirty sensor, broken LCD panel and a broken 18-55mm lens — almost 2,000 posts in, I've lost some passion for the art. At least for now…

[GaryW]

We have lots of these "cleaning up" around here. Nice capture!

[Rick Schies]

Yeah they do serve a purpose