CALIFORNIA CONDOR
California Condors
birdfotos.com
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About one week later 05/21/05
I do believe I have hit the mother load of Grand Canyon California Condors here at the South rim.
Just over the south rim and on the rocks just a few feet over the edge
and flying over head there must be at least 16 or 17 Condors.
So, let's start with a condor with a rather unusual wing tag number " -4 "
"The bird's number is 314,
but since we already have a 114 (tag number 14),
and a 234 (tag number 4), we used a dash 4 for 314. "
The above text in quotes is directly from the number 1 man in charge of the condors in Arizona.
Trying to figure out the condor numbering system gives my brain a severe pain.
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There's a rock wall about 2 feet high along the canyon's edge just out in front of the
Bright Angel lodge north entrance or on the canyon side. It a very nice place to sit and view the canyon.
So, sitting there snacking on a tid bit of food, this huge black bird comes gliding in and lands on one
of the rocks jetting out from the canyon wall no more than 20 feet from where I was sitting.
Yes, as a matter of fact, I did have my camera right handy and ready to take a photo, there's only one thing wrong,
I had a 600 mm lens on it. That's not going to work in this case. Moving as inconspicuously as possible plus as fast as possible I was able to change to a 70 to 300 mm zoom lens I happened to have in my camera bag. Putting lens on 70 mm I was able to frame or compose a few nice shots.
This was my first. not to good but I did get an image up close.
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Well, I didn't have to climb down there and break that old limb off after all.
As you can see this condor has a black head meaning it is a young bird.
I will find out when it was hatched and add it later on.
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I believe if I move around this tree/bush towards Kolb Studio another 15 feet west of the bird
I might be able to get a few better images.
If it doesn't fly away while I move that is.
OH yes this is a much better place to get the photos.
I do believe its looking me over quite closely so I had better not make any sudden moves.
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It sees another condor just a few yards down the canyon wall
and I think its going fly away to join that bird. And it did.
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CONDOR CALIFORNIA