Daily 2019
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Learning to soar
The Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) do not nest at the condor cliffs, but when their juveniles are old enough the adults bring them to the cliffs so they can learn how to ride the updrafts. The cliffs are very steep and the condors can appear very suddenly above the edge of the cliff. I was lucky to catch this juvenile learning to soar. Rio Nireguao O Coichel, Patagonia, Chile.
Andean condorVultur gryphonsoaringoutspread wingsriding updraftsRio Nireguao O CoichelPatagoniaChile
Terry Allen
on December 4, 2019Thanks so much for the nice comments, Bill, Gene, Janet, Judy, JohnC, Janet, Bruno, Rick, Kevin, Loyd, Elizabeth, Byron, Judith, Greg&Rose, Linda, Wayne, God's Child and TruImages!
TruImages
on December 4, 2019Baptism by fire! But he seems to have the hang of it already! Great shot!
God's Child
on December 3, 2019Excellent capture!
My "Daily Photo" is here:
https://godschild.smugmug.com/DailyPhotos/Daily-Dose-of-1-A-Day-2019/i-WbKQX7b/A
12/3/2019
Wayne Wendel
on December 3, 2019That is one big bird, outstanding shot Terry.
Lgood
on December 3, 2019This is such an excellent capture! To see them riding the updrafts would have to be thrilling.
Greg&Rose Photography
on December 3, 2019Beautiful definition in this BIF shot
Judith Sparhawk
on December 3, 2019What a wonderful moment! Great to see the young learning to fly--those thermals are really necessary for these very big and relatively heavy birds. The California Condors have, of course, had huge survival issues in recent decades, and the captive breeding programs in several locations have been mostly successful. I have on rare occasions seen them flying in the Grand Canyon, on the Big Sur Coast, and on one trip to Vermillion Cliffs in Utah, saw 10 or 12 Condors soaring above the cliffs on the updrafts.
Byron Fair Photography
on December 3, 2019Awesome capture.
arctangent
on December 3, 2019Clearly you were ready to take advantage of such sudden appearances. Awesome shot of a magical experience
Loyd Dalton
on December 3, 2019Excellent BIF image of the Condor!
How thrilling it must have been to just witness this big guy gliding through the air! Great job, Terry!