Coragyps atratus

vulture profile
The black vulture (Coragyps atratus) also known as the American black vulture, is a bird in the New World vulture family whose range extends from the southeastern United States to Central Chile and Uruguay in South America.–Wikipedia


vultures on the roof
Humans like to anthropomorphize animals. In that vein, the vultures are very mannerly. They wait their turn at the table.


vulture eying morsels
Density (check) City services (check) Food options (check) Walkability (not really a concern) Sustainability (check)


at the table
Connectivity (check) Mixed use and diversity (check) Traditional neighborhood structure (check) Smart transportation (check) Quality architecture and urban design (?)

Author: WmX

I stumbled off the track to success in 1968, started chasing shadows that summer. Since then, In addition to farm-laborer and newspaper photographer my occupational incarnations include dishwasher, janitor, retail photo clerk, plumber, HVAC repairman, auto mechanic, CAT scan technologist, computer worker and politico (whatever it takes to buy a camera.) I am on the road to understanding black and white photography.

3 thoughts on “Coragyps atratus”

  1. Prof. Emory,

    As I’m sure you are aware, the black vulture you so beautifully made a portrait of was, as recently as 50,000 years ago, the brilliant azure color so frequently associated with our Virginia sky. Then Charlie Darwin, with his good eye for observation, came up with the novel idea of evolution, and how individuals can increase their probability of survival in the world by changing over time. Such it was with the Azure Vulture.

    I draw your attention at this juncture to the Bible, which tells us heathens that God took 6 days to figure out a plan. And why did He on the very first day of these 6 days separate the dark from the light? Because He so loved us photographers that he gave us light, without which we are nothing. Man came later in the week. And what is the point, you may ask? The point is, the black vulture you photographed realized long, long, long ago that dropping from the azure sky onto the dead body of an animal was detrimental to their azure feathers, not to mention their egos. It was also messy (from the Latin untidy). So slowly, over the years and centuries their feathers began to shift from blue to a soft grey, then with each 1000 years they became a bit darker, until finally they wore the appropriate attire for funerals, BLACK!

    But not only has their physical appearance changed in todays world, their attitudes have also changed. Black vultures are at their happiest when finding a stale donut in the parking lot at K-Mart. It would be akin to you and I finding the Holy Grail on the downtown mall. So I am unconvinced when you say the American black vulture is a bird in the New World vulture family. Nay! Tis only the Old World Azure vulture of the 21st Century in new clothing.

  2. Prof. Emory,

    As I’m sure you are aware, the black vulture you so beautifully made a portrait of was, as recently as 50,000 years ago, the brilliant azure color so frequently associated with our Virginia sky. Then Charlie Darwin, with his good eye for observation, came up with the novel idea of evolution, and how individuals can increase their probability of survival in the world by changing over time. Such it was with the Azure Vulture.

    I draw your attention at this juncture to the Bible, which tells us heathens that God took 6 days to figure out a plan. And why did He on the very first day of these 6 days separate the dark from the light? Because He so loved us photographers that he gave us light, without which we are nothing. Man came later in the week. And what is the point, you may ask? The point is, the black vulture you photographed realized long, long, long ago that dropping from the azure sky onto the dead body of an animal was detrimental to their azure feathers, not to mention their egos. It was also messy (from the Latin untidy). So slowly, over the years and centuries their feathers began to shift from blue to a soft grey, then with each 1000 years they became a bit darker, until finally they wore the appropriate attire for funerals. BLACK!

    But not only has their physical appearance changed in todays world, their attitudes have also changed. Black vultures are at their happiest when finding a stale donut in the parking lot at K-Mart. It would be akin to you and I finding the Holy Grail on the downtown mall. So I am unconvinced when you say the American black vulture is a bird in the New World vulture family. Nay! Tis only the Old World Azure vulture of the 21st Century in new clothing.

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