The spread wing pose may have a number of purposes, including drying the wings, warming the body, and allowing the sun to kill off bacteria.  It's quite impressive to see a flock of fifty or more individuals do this in perfect unison.  Paul

Don't ask me why, but I have this sneaking feeling that it may smell funny too. And I'd probably pay admission to see them do this on the same field as a rookery of penguins cooling themselves off.

On the other hand, what do we think about the band name, Fifty Drying Vultures?

Thanks, Paul!

dale

OK, that one is almost cute, I'll admit. Patti

Cute for a bottom-heavy dinosaur, huh.

Least Bell's Vireo

http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es/animal_spp_acct/LB_vireo_kf.htm

photo of baby vireo removed from nest for banding, as well as a chipped french manicure,
by Po-Hon Liu for the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Service

dale

Faces only a mother could love...but I suppose that's equally true of the adults.

Awwww... don't you think this would sell Coke?

(photo from http://www.eaglevalleyraptorcenter.org/rehabilitation.asp)

Now that my hiccups from looking at baby turkey vultures have almost subsided,
let me venture that perhaps...

V is for the VERY HIGHEST and LOUDEST THING in the NEIGHBORHOOD

there are a number of birds in this family; two examples:

One is a banded Very-High Laridae showing off in Prague; the other, a Cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis cardinalis (cardinalis...) birdie birdie birdie birdie birdie - photographed right where he makes us look at him, by John Mosesso, Jr. (wiki)

dale

OH! what a lovely hummingbird!!!

OK, let's go for maximal contrast, then:

Here are what seem to be two baby Turkey VULTURES.
I have no idea where I got this thing, but it makes me nervous.

Dale

I can look at a hoopoe all day. And to add to its charms, that Old Testament abomination has a U Latin name!  Is he gorgeous or what.  Thanks Aafke!  dale

If I had that thing in my hand I don't think I'd forget it either!  Patti 

I don't know what to say except that someone had a few tall ones before designing that, and had a blast designing it.

Blown away by the sheer numbers of cranes. I like the subtle, creaky sound, too.
How close were you? They aren't disturbed by people?
Very neat imagery to start my day with...thanks.

GIANT EXTINCT STORK, really giant, just discovered

They're also calling it Marabou, oddly.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101211/ap_on_sc/as_indonesia_giant_stork

Ultramarine Kingfisher

Solomon Islands and New Guinea.

Nice little picture if you scroll down on this page:
http://www.pittasworld.com/Site/Jewelthrush_Diaries_Blog/Entries/2009/10/31_Aug-Oct_Trip_part_4%3A_MANUS,_VARIRATA_AND_SANTA_ISABEL.html

OK I give up now.

dale

Uniform Swiftlet

http://www.calacademy.org/blogs/jdumbacher/?p=165 (scroll down)

picture from wikipedia, this too: "The Uniform Swiftlet is a gregarious, medium-sized swiftlet with a shallowly forked tail. It is about 13 centimeters long with a wingspan averaging around 27 centimeters. It weighs about 11 grams."

Where did Hannah go? Anyone heard from her? She always had great snail stories!

I exchange email with her semi-regularly...she's out there!

my turkey vultures are waiting for the V's!  Patti 

My turkey vultures are waiting for Patti's turkey vultures...at the TV Tap. They're going to have a brewski and go pound on the door to see if Carol's turkey vultures want to come out and play.
Darn those vultures when they get all likkered up.

Twist my arm Dale!  Here's brave Kaver going after a Turkey Vulture that got way to close to his babies on the Kodak Tower.  You can actually see the dander falling off of the TV after Kaver hits him/her.

oooh. eewwwww.  Head and Shoulders ad in the making!