Saturday, October 31, 2009

Camera Critters

It's Camera Critters time and
it's Halloween.

That calls for a special post.
It's back to the Houston Zoo photography day.
It rained lightly all morning.
I met this gentleman early that day and thought
Halloween!






CINEREOUS VULTURE
(EUROPEAN BLACK VULTURE)




A large bird, the cinereous vulture can measure more than three feet in height and has a wingspan that can extend up to ten feet. Cinereous vultures have dark brown feathers with a dull blue head, neck and bill.

Their status is seriously threatened globally due to hunting, poisoning, habitat destruction and improved stock management. The international trade of this species is regulated by law, since it may become endangered without regulated trade.

These vultures build their nests in trees and on cliffs high above the ground, using sticks and twigs as building materials. Males and females cooperate in rearing young.




This particular vulture was hatched in captivity in a special breeding program. The Houston Zoo is well known for its amazing birds, many of which are never on display -- behind the scenes in special breeding programs in an attempt to maintain the particular species.

If you enlarge on the photos, you'll see this bird liked the rain!

Happy Halloween

Be sure to check out other critters at Camera Critters!



21 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Wow, he is big and what a cool cirtter he is! Great photos and post for Halloween.

Anonymous said...

Quite appropriate for Halloween, he scared the creepers outa me! hehehee

Have a wonderful weekend & Happy Halloween!

Carletta said...

Super Halloween post!
The way the fence wire is positioned along his beak in the first one it makes it look like he's smiling. :)
It's pouring rain here today and I'm not sure I like it at all.

Teena in Toronto said...

He looks mean!

I played too :)

Chubskulit Rose said...

enormously big!

BOO! Here's my Camera Critters entry. Have a spooky one!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Happy Halloween to you TOO. That's a perfect bird to share on Halloween. He's not the prettiest bird I've seen!!!! ha

Have a wonderful day. It's pouring rain here this morning and the yard is covered with leaves --even after using the leaf blower yesterday. Oh Well!!!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Sherry said...

This is truly a critter fit for Halloween!! It's actually a nicer looking bird than I realized...most of what I think of when I hear vulture is the old cartoons!!

Carolyn Ford said...

They are not very handsome critters...but, you photographed them very well. I think a vulture is just about perfect for Halloween! Great post.

Jenn Jilks said...

Fabulous shots! I will link to your post. We have turkeys: wild and vultures here. And your cats... precious!

Tes said...

Hi Snap! Nice post. I haven't explored our Zoo yet, but I plan to one of these days. Thank God for good weather today, would hate to see the dripping Trick-or-treaters! Happy Halloween neighbor!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Snap: Neat shots of the vulture, I love to see the Turkey Vultures flying above.

Cezar and Léia said...

wow he is huge!Perfect choice for Halloween date! :)
For sure I will be scared about this critter!
Happy Halloween and Happy Camera Critters!
and a beautiful weekend!
purrs
Luna - We love Luna

( and mommy Léia )

Anya said...

HEHE
Its a perfect choice for Halloween
He looks scary ...... LOL
Happy Halloween :)
hugs from
Kareltje =^.^=

Anonymous said...

Appropriate indeed! I m sure he was quite flattered when you told him he would be the star of your Halloween post-you know those ravens and crows have been stealing his close ups for years!!!
Happy Halloween!
XOXOXOXOOX

Janie said...

A ten foot wingspan is huge! What a magnificent bird. Thanks for enlightening us on his threatened status.

Ebie said...

Wow! First time to see vulture up close. what a great post for Halloween!

Marvin said...

Nice shots of a none-too-handsome bird that fills an important niche in the ecosystem. Life would not be so pleasant without scavengers.

Nature in the Ozarks

EG CameraGirl said...

Scary mask that bird is wearing for Halloween. ;-)

Barb said...

He is beautiful! Great pictures

Anonymous said...

What a spooky fellow he is!!

Unknown said...

Hi Snap! I am a little late for wishing you a Happy Halloween so I'll wish you a Happy All Saint's Day instead!

That is a big guy!