Turkey Vulture

Preparing to take wing after checking out one of our local roadways is a Turkey Vulture, which we sometimes call it a Turkey Buzzard.

These birds, the ultimate street cleaners, help keep our roads and streets free of carrion. They normally cruise high overhead with a flight that rocks from side to side. They reportedly have a keen sense of smell that is attuned to rotting flesh.

Note the small naked, red head and huge wingspan.

This shot was taken through the windshield using ISO 800 and required noise reduction, increased contrast and saturation and some sharpening.