Turkey Vulture
2009 June 24
Wednesday morning was hot. I launched my canoe at Burke's Beach on the Ottawa River at Point Alexander and paddled up towards Presqu'isle. There was a noticeable downriver breeze when I started but by the time I reached the mouth of Upper Presqu'isle (~ 5 km) it was calm. I headed over to the little beach where the "secret" portage into Turtle Lake starts. As I approached the shore, I noticed a turkey vulture land just upstream. I headed over to see if I could get some pics. I paddled as close as I dared -- turkey vultures are not particularly skittish, so it's a fine judgement as to how close you can approach. I stopped paddling and started shooting. I didn't put the camera down until I eventually spooked the bird. I just sat in the canoe without moving and let it drift into shore, taking 42 shots over the course of seven minutes.
Some guys, with long lenses, can get comely young ladies to pose for them. Me, I get a turkey vulture doing a fan dance.
Related Pages
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Ottawa River Freeze Up
This page documents, through photographs, the freeze up of the Ottawa River
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Photos of a turkey vulture, Cathartes aura, on the Quebec shore of the Ottawa River near Point Alexander.
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Foymount
Foymount is highest populated community in Ontario, located on the edge of the Ottawa-Bonnechere Graben west of Lake Clear in Renfrew County. It was formerly the site of a Pinetree Line radar base, which closed in 1974. Currently it is the home of Black Water Designs, manufacturer and distributor of high quality outdoors equipment and clothing (Sierra Designs).
