Photo of the Day (and its story)

I didn’t know we had a sanctuary for birds of prey so close by, but learned about it when my friend Angie became a volunteer.

It’s a beautiful place, and the turkey vulture (purple vulture) is her baby. When she introduced me, she mentioned that vultures were kind of ugly, which is interesting, because the first thing that came to my mind was “Oh, how beautiful.”

Vultures, the birds that don’t kill, but clean up nature. Not skilled enough to be a predator, not built to kill. How could we not love them?

Holding a bird of prey has been on my bucket list for years, but I changed my mind. Just being around them, seeing them so close, was good enough.

I felt happiness to see all these beautiful creatures at a place that takes care of them. The goal: to release them into the wild if possible and /or to give the older birds a nice retirement home.

What a place! What a day! What a bird!

20 Comments

  1. Unknown's avatar leigha66 said:

    Wow, look at those talons! I imagine they are a powerful creature to watch in the wild. I always thought they were supposed to be an ugly bird that attacks. Glad to see that I was wrong on both accounts.

    October 18, 2025
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  2. Turkey vultures are fascinating to watch when a whole flock roosts in the same trees. They look comically large for doing that, 🙂

    October 13, 2025
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    • I saw them once in Africa, during my first safari. A flock of vultures were ‘cleaning up’ a buffalo. They are impressive and yes, you are right, they are a bit comically looking. But I really thought the “turkey vulture/purple vulture” is beautiful.

      October 14, 2025
      Reply
  3. Unknown's avatar Eha Carr said:

    You have given me a worthwhile lesson – I had somehow unfairly always seen these birds as ‘ugly’ and ‘somewhat dangerous’ . . . love the fact the ‘golden oldies’ are gently looked after 🙂 !

    October 12, 2025
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    • Reading your comment made me happy. I am glad you got to see my post.

      October 14, 2025
      Reply
  4. Unknown's avatar Michele Lee said:

    Very special. Thank you for sharing. I came across a bird sanctuary in Scotland, at the back of a nursery. Incredible to stumble upon. 🕊️

    October 12, 2025
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    • Just like you, I didn’t know they were existing. It should be mentioned more. It’s so close by, yet nobody knows about it.

      October 14, 2025
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      • Unknown's avatar Michele Lee said:

        They do great work. 🦅 Sammi volunteered at a bird rescue in Tucson years ago. 👍

        October 14, 2025
        Reply
  5. A home for old birds…have you put your name down for later years?

    October 12, 2025
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  6. Unknown's avatar Not all who wander are lost said:

    So cool !!

    October 12, 2025
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  7. Unknown's avatar Debbie Hill said:

    Very cool, what area is this in? We visit a bird sanctuary in Florida when we visit, lots of sea birds and tropical birds. Thanks for posting!

    October 12, 2025
    Reply
    • The Rapture center is in Spencer, Ohio and you’re welcome. I enjoyed posting about it.

      October 12, 2025
      Reply
  8. Unknown's avatar Sheree said:

    Magnificent

    October 12, 2025
    Reply
    • Beautiful word choice for such a majestic creature.

      October 12, 2025
      Reply

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