Vultures

I shot this on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 while doing about 70 mph on the Florida Turnpike in Port St Lucie (don't tell the cops). I was alone, and just pointed my not so sophisticated digital camera out the passenger side window, hence the quality. Those are mostly vultures, either black or turkey, flying over the dump. The smaller birds are seagulls. [Click To Enlarge]

Turkey Vultures feed on carrion found on highways, pastures, and at dumps. Occasionally, they will eat vinyl materials such as roofing covering, pipe insulation, and boat seat cushions, even though such materials contain no nutritional value. Apparently these materials emit an odor, which to the vultures, at least, is similar to that of rotting flesh.

The Black Vulture's diet consists chiefly of carrion found along roads, in open countryside, and at landfills. Occasionally, it will take live young mammals and birds and, more rarely, piglets or calves as they are being born.

You can see images of the birds and get more information on the Florida Fish and Wildlife website.