September 7, 2019
Today I went to Cedar Breaks National Monument to check up on an Ebird report of California Condors. For a few hours I watched from an overlook and I did see a couple, but from a great distance, and took some photos that were at least identifiable. Then I stopped at an overlook by the visitor center and was talking to a Park employee who told me that about 20 condors had been seen roosting on Forest Service land nearby. I went up there and watched for a couple more hours when suddenly I saw four condors flying and landing on a tower, then two more landed in the trees. They aren't afraid of people and I could walk up as close as I liked. I had to deal with clouds and poor light but I got some in nicer light too. So, California Condor is my 600th species of bird in North America. These are far better than I was hoping for, mostly photos that I see are taken from great distances so I feel pretty fortunate.
This one was the largest of the group, I'm not
sure yet if males or females are bigger.
Tight crop of a juvenile perched in a tree.
Ugh! I should have had a V8.
Poor light for flight shots but I got some decent ones.
Juvenile.
Adult
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