Sunday, June 18, 2017

The Buzzards are Invading!

We have a metal roof. I was sitting here this morning, quietly trying to clear the cobwebs from my head, when I heard something land on the roof. I could hear the thud through all the insulation and thought, wth? I heard several more thuds and got up to see if I could see anything. The thuds came from birds that are the size of a wild turkey landing on the roof.

There was a dead armadillo laying out in the yard. Several buzzards were there. One was trying to tear the animal apart, while several of his gruesome henchmen skulked around the yard as look-outs. Guess one or more of the neighbor's dogs had killed it. 

This was not our first rodeo with dead varmints in the yard. I kept an eye out until DH got home to dispose of it. We don't want another pile of ick for J n J to roll in. 


Feast anyone?

The look-out
 Charming characters, eh?

37 comments:

  1. And I thought getting invaded by black birds was bad. I'm glad I don't live near buzzards and armadillos!

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  2. Wow, now that's an unusual sight, very interesting.

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    1. Armadillo are relatively new to our area, maybe 20 or so years. Think the warmer temps are a factor.

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  3. Don't like Amarillo, they dig up the yard, they stink and they carry leprosy, ICK.

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    1. I agree. When they die, they fall apart - scales everywhere. BIG clean-up!

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  4. Ewwwwww. They are ugly birds. But they do serve a purpose. To clean up messes.
    We don't have armadillos here. They look fascinating

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    1. They do have a face that only a mother could love!
      Baby armadillo are cute ...

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  5. Brrrrrrrrrr....

    Very charming.

    Yes, they do serve a purpose.

    But like so many of nature's natural things, please... Not in my back yard!!!!!

    Luna Crone... Not a Nature Girl!

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    1. In the sky, they are so graceful. They can clean up a road kill within a matter of minutes.

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  6. Our invading creature our deer and gophers...They most have propose...Coffee is on

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    1. I actually like to see the buzzards come to clean-up the road kill - helps with the smell of rotting things like dead possum in the middle of the road.

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  7. Black breasted Buzzards live up north where it's warmer - we see lots of raptors on our journeys up there. Cleaning up road kill :)
    They can stay there as well - don't really fancy the idea of them prowling round our garden looking for a feast.
    No armadillos either - Echidnas yes (spiny anteaters) like hedgehogs but bigger and with very long snouts.

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    1. They only show up when there is a dead critter. Otherwise they soar the skies.

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  8. Charming? no. But fascinating.
    After all, something has to take care of Mother nature's trash.

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    1. From the neck down, they are good looking ...

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  9. It's all natural. Nevertheless I am pleased I only have squirrels and birds plus a few rodents in my garden.

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    1. They don't stay around long, do their thing and fly off - looking for more.

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  10. Replies
    1. DH moved the carcass and they left. It was good photo-op. :-)

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    2. It sure was:)
      Have a great, buzzardless day:)

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  11. We have plenty of Buzzards here in France, they keep the place clear of dead things. I feel rather sorry for the Armadillo; they look so nice.

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    1. If I wasn't aware of the armadillo doing damage in the yard, I would think they were cool, too. :-)

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  12. Really charming indeed, and what a surprise that must have been for you. Greetings!

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    1. I have had them in the pecan trees before, but never on the roof! I'll bet they were surprised it was so slippery! ;-)

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  13. That my dear friend is a face only a mother could love! haha.....crazy. I will be driving by the lake and they sit out over that way all the time.

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    1. I hood covering their head would be a kindness, hahahahaha!

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  14. Wow! That's a great photo. Get close to them and the stench is horrible. No wonder, given their diet.

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  15. Wow! That's a great photo. Get close to them and the stench is horrible. No wonder, given their diet.

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  16. Wow! Armadillos and buzzards in your garden! I get excited if I see a fox.

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    1. I would get excited seeing a fox, too! Seldom see them around here.

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  17. You captured some good shots of the buzzards. They are so ugly but I find them interesting. There are two living in an old barn at the ranch. Once a mama laid two eggs in an old building at the ranch John bought and sold. I talked John in to letting them hatch. It was quite interesting for me to see baby buzzards.

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    1. Ohhhh! I wish I had been there to see that! I'll bet even the babies were so ugly only the mother could love! hahahaha!

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