#tuvu

"Hornetcloak"

9.5"x14.5" handmade paper, acrylic, and bald-faced hornet nest on reclaimed wood panel

Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura). Family Cathartidae, order Cathartiformes.

Well… they got a glow up :)

The vulture’s name I’ve decided is Cathy (because turkey vulture’s scientific name = Cathartes aura)!!

I’m going to try and add some eyes onto Jimothy in some way, I just didn’t in his glaze because it would have ended up messy.

If you look closely (especially in sunlight) Cathy has a light brown sheen, and Jimothy has a little bit of purple like in the Wayne Larva’s sprite!!

My best bird photos of July 2025*

Royal Tern, Snowy Plover, Turkey Vulture, California Gull, Elegant Tern

Turkey Vulture

Looking for signs of spring? Look no further, the turkey vulture (Cathertes aura) is a herald of spring! Turkey vultures fly south for the winter in a grand migration, sometimes as far as South America! They will overwinter until early March when they start their long journey back to their northern roosts. As adults, these large raptors can be identified by their featherless bright red head and dark iridescent body feathers. In flight, the silvery grey undersides of a turkey vulture’s primary feathers are on full display. Be on the look out for a dark bird soaring in on the spring thermals in a “V” shape. When you see your fist turkey vulture of the season, rest assured that spring is right around the corner!  

Want to learn more about turkey vultures? Go to https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Turkey_Vulture/