Turkey Buzzards

Capistrano has it’s swallows that signal the return of summer with their black sparkling wings and flashing yellow chests.  Throughout the mid-west and the great lakes states flocks of purple martins remind everyone that summer is just around the corner.

            However, here in Mariposa the majestic Turkey Buzzard can be seen soaring in ever-widening circles in groups of three to five signaling to us that summer is coming.  On the ground there are few things on this earth as ugly as a Turkey Buzzard but in the air they are unsurpassed in their grace and seemingly effortless soaring only occasionally flapping a wing to glide over to another thermal to ride for another two or three miles.

            Ugly as they are I still much prefer to look up and see them gently soaring high above the trees than to see sparrows flitting about doing nothing.  The buzzards within the mountain shadows are the undertakers of the wild, removing the dead things from our sight or smell while sparrows and martins simply fly around playing with each other.

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