Sara and I, volunteers at Montaña de Oro State Park, were on the Bluff Trail headed toward Spooner's Cove Overlook. The day before, Sara with her photographer husband Gary, experienced an unusual bird sighting.
When Sara and I reached the overlook we could see a wake (group of Vultures) about 17, peacefully perched at the end of the bluff. Fortunately the area was cordoned off with single wire fencing which kept visitors on the trail and away from the Vultures.
On the jagged rocks below perched 8 more Vultures. Lower down the rocks a lone Vulture was pecking on a deer carcass. The carcass was in the shadows and nearly impossible to see from the top of the bluff. Fortunately, the day before Gary had taken a photo. Notice the beautiful deep brown feathers. Vultures have a keen sense of sight and smell.
What we wondered was why only a single feeder, and what had caused the deer to fall off the cliff? Our best guess - the deer was chased by Coyotes or a Mountain Lion. What ever the cause of the deer's demise, the Turkey Vultures, natures recyclers, had a fine feast.
