Jeffrey A. Gordon

Few people like to be reminded of the practical aspects of mortality. When we encounter death, we like to do it in a church, funeral home or a similarly sanitized, perfumed setting. It’s easy to understand. So I’ll take no offense if you don’t want to look at this photo series. I promise you, though, there’s nothing too awfully bloody here.

I’m posting these because I do think they have a beauty to them, albeit of a somewhat grim variety. I don’t think they need much in the way of narration, just a caption or two.

White-tailed Deer carcass, found by the roadside just west of the Junction & Breakwater Trail

Turkey Vultures, with their unusually keen sense of smell, usually arrive first

Vultures are such good gliders, I’m not sure how directly they could swoop down, even if they wanted to.

A final hesitation before deciding the coast is clear enough to approach this bonanza.

Black Vultures, not as gifted in the olfactory department, are thought to use Turkey Vultures as guides, often displacing them from their finds.

And here, gentle readers, I’ll draw the curtain. May we all learn to keep our eyes open to all the wonders of nature.

Tags: carrion, deer, scavengers, vultures

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