Eagles and Vultures, Oh My!
An incredible nature show presented itself just outside my back door featuring bald eagles and vultures, an impressive combination for photography.
Mother Nature can be both magnificent and cruel at the same time. We had one of those moments this past Sunday when a dead raccoon just outside our fence inside the salt marsh became the target of both bald eagles and vultures. The vultures numbered in the dozens, but only two eagles were part of the crew. Both a mature bald eagle and a juvenile (probably 3-4 years old) visited us that morning.
Bald Eagle watching the marsh for food 
Bald Eagle and Vulture Sharing a tree 
Juvenile bald eagle eyeing photographer 
Juvenile Bald Eagle sitting on abandoned Martin house 
Bald Eagle Landing on Tree
Legend has it Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey to the bald eagle as our national symbol. Whether or not true, we do know that Franklin thought the eagle was more scavenger than hunter. Our photos of the eagle in the midst of the vultures does little to dissuade that belief.
Vultures in a tree waiting their turn 
Vulture staring at the photographer 
Vulture coming in for a landing 
Vultures drying their wings.
Since I am sharing some photographs, here are some random pictures taken over the last few weeks around Murrells Inlet. Hope you enjoy.
A gorgeous sunrise in the salt marsh. 
Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning – the morning before Nestor hit. 
Visitors aren’t restricted to cars and boats. 
A young alligator slipping through the water. 
Double-Crested Cormorant 
Brown Pelican 
Tri-Colored Heron 
Great Blue Heron
P.S. – Amateur birder here, so feel free to let me know if I have a bird identified incorrectly.
Beautiful bird series! Are you going to make a calendar?
We have 20 acres and the turkey vultures love the farmland. We have had them land in the yard to pick up apples from the apple tree. It so cool. You take such good pics. I don’t know if I would like my privacy being invaded by a plane tho.