Do you belive in omens?

[sheepdawg]

I live smack dab in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, so this morning I go for my usual walk and lo an behold I see this. I just looked in the mirror, I don't look ill or anything. I've never seen one of these in the city. I'm doubling down on my prayers.

[Maddog 521]

I'd be more worried if it was a Raven.

[venomballistics]

Originally Posted by sheepdawg

I live smack dab in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, so this morning I go for my usual walk and lo an behold I see this. I just looked in the mirror, I don't look ill or anything. I've never seen one of these in the city. I'm doubling down on my prayers.

Its quasi normal here a few states west.
they seem to pass through once or twice in the summer in a flock strung out over a few miles.
The presentation is creepy as anything out of a well written horror novel. First time i saw it, I told the missus "I think i need my riot gun, Sidearm, backup and the chainsaw"
Really, its a normalish event and on occasion one or two will stop for a rest and impose it's unique charm upon the neighborhood.
In actual practice, it's nowhere near the cause for alarm that campaigning politicians and election cycles impose. In fact, they'll just clean up the mess left behind by the cycle of life where politicians tend to bring such messes.

[ACP230]

I've always heard owls are the birds of ill-omen.
According to a Michael Martin Murphy song if they hoot around your cabin for "three nights in a row" something is up.

We have ravens living behind my neighbor's garage across the
street. See them all the time.

[carpriver]

as long as it is not the guy with the robe and a scythe I would not worry. but if he is tapping his foot that is a whole different story.

[DeathGrip]

It was just a movie.

[LVSteve]

Do I believe in omens? No. But, I might believe you unwittingly ran over your neighbor's cat.

[TheHobbyist]

Turkey vulture is a clear sign of an abundance of prey in the area or road kills. I think their numbers are in general increasing, but I do not have any data to support that claim.

[walkin jack]

I dunno about omens.Could be an indication that lots of the critters in nature are losing their natural habitat as humans take over more and more space?

[16thVACav]

In my neighborhood, they clean up the (slow) flat squirrels in the road.

[Tom K]

It's bad luck to be superstitious.

[arjay]

Last time I saw one was on a sign in the Mohave desert on a day well over 100°.A few miles later my old vw started bucking and heaving so I pulled over and spent the night
The next morning it ran fine and I got the hell out of there lol

[rwsmith]

...until they tore up a few hundred acres of woods by our subdivision to build more houses. Now we hear owls. They disappeared for a time, but last week they, or it, was back.

Hootie Hoo

YouTube

[armenius]

I became a “buzzardologist” a few years ago after a flying Black Vulture buzzed my car and puked covering my right half and most of the windshield with a reddish liquid the consistency of Creame of Mushroom soup. I was t about 75 mph and almost wrecked. The wipers were useless .In 15 minutes the paint was etched never to shine again. For 6 weeks my car smelled like I had a decomposing body in the trunk.
In my younger years we had only Turkey Buzzards and they caused no problems, you never saw one in town. About 30 years ago the Blacks migrated in from the Gulf region. They have no fear,come right into town, will rip shingles of the house, and don’t wait on death, but will attack calves and blind them by plucking out the eyes then killing them.
Their numbers are steadily increasing. Some towns have been invaded and damaged and fouled by the birds. It is illegal to harm them and problems are increasing. They are so bad I don’t think they will even eat each other!

[Whitwabit]

As a kid here you would only see one occasionally .. that was 60 some years ago ..

Today you see multiple numbers of them every day all the warmer months of the year ..

They have migrated further north as our winters have warmed over thee years with global warming ..

[sheepdawg]

Originally Posted by LVSteve

Do I believe in omens? No. But, I might believe you unwittingly ran over your neighbor's cat.

No problem then!

[swsig]

We've got a bunch of vultures around here. Our part of Texas is heavily wooded (geologically speaking, it's called "cross timbers"), the result of which is bazillions of squirrels. They, of course, are routinely squashed by automobiles, which makes for a vultures' paradise. Below is a photo of a pair of black vultures in our front yard. They were teaming to clean up squirrel remains in front of our house, so I left them alone. I'd much rather have them do it. They often work in pairs. One will eat while the other watches for cars. (I think that's also a punchline, but I can't remember the joke.)

[6518John]

I try to always be kind to vultures as a matter of professional courtesy.

[S42N8]

Them’s the duly approved FL road kill cleanup workforce.

[soFlaNative]

Originally Posted by 6518John

I try to always be kind to vultures as a matter of professional courtesy.

They circle and perch at Dade Co. courthouse every winter since it was built nearly 100 years ago.
Birds of a feather?

[jack the toad]

Originally Posted by sheepdawg

Do you belive in omens?

I believe in omens and owomens…

I'm sorry... dunno whether my political correctness or smart azziness got the better of me.

[JohnRippert]

They are everywhere here in SE Texas.

[steelslaver]

Hmm, that's an Omen?

I thought those were buzzards.

Thought a guy dressed in robes yelling aaiiiieee aaiiieee with a sword held over his head was called Omen.

[RobertJ.]

We even see them on the beach occasionally. BTW, this photo is just begging for a caption:

[ExcitableBoy]

Originally Posted by RobertJ.

We even see them on the beach occasionally. BTW, this photo is just begging for a caption:

"I just KNEW that Lassie would snap on Timmie eventually!"

[LVSteve]

Originally Posted by RobertJ.

We even see them on the beach occasionally. BTW, this photo is just begging for a caption:

"Why am I here? My doctor says I need to cut back on red meat."

[Rustyt1953]

[brigeton]

Turkey vultures are all over around here now. We didn't used to see that many. There are also bears, porcupines, and other critters I only used to see further north.

[rwsmith]

Originally Posted by brigeton

Turkey vultures are all over around here now. We didn't used to see that many. There are also bears, porcupines, and other critters I only used to see further north.

The screwed up climate is causing many animals and plants to go way out of their former distribution ranges.

We don't want big bears up here and people up north don't want fire ants and kudzu.

[Absalom]

Turkey vulture? Meh. See them around here all the time.

Now owls. Owls are something different. Messenger of Death and all that .....

[Ron M.]

I would be concerned if there were two of them, and one said to the other..."Patience? Ha! I'm gonna kill something!"

[Rustyt1953]

"I'll take 'The Lovin' Spoonful' flops for $200 please, Alex."

[sheepdawg]

I guess this guy will be around soon. He'd fit right in around here.

YouTube

[Rustyt1953]

[Stevens]

Here is a bunch in my yard, a car ran over an Armadillo, there are usually a lot of them when armadillo is on the menu. I don't know if it is because they like it so much or it just takes a bunch to get the darn thing out of the shell!
Steve W

[S&WIowegan]

Since you mention Memphis, it's possible he was attracted by the sound of gun fire and is waiting for his next meal to ripen a bit.

[Kurusu]

Originally Posted by sheepdawg

I live smack dab in the heart of Memphis, Tennessee, so this morning I go for my usual walk and lo an behold I see this. I just looked in the mirror, I don't look ill or anything. I've never seen one of these in the city. I'm doubling down on my prayers.

Yep! Just about as much as Groucho.

[fiasconva]

You must be a really, really slow walker. *s*

[Lonegle57]

Sea Gulls and buzzard----" I told the kids not to cover Mom's head"

[kwselke]

I believe it is an omen that the main ingredients for Flat Fauna Chili are going to be harder to find in your neighborhood.

[Engineer1911]

I'm watching you!

[Watchdog]

Turkey Vutures are very common in North Carolina. There isn't a day goes by I don't see them. Frankly, I'd be more worried if several days passed and I didn't see any. They're an extremely vital part of our ecosystem. We are also seeing more Black Vultures here now.

They're referred to as birds of prey, although they aren't raptors, but they have been known to swoop and bite young calves, sheep, and piglets. They're also a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It's best not to get caught bothering or shooting them.

They are rightfully associated with death.

A couple of years ago, I walked outside and saw five of them circling over my house! Immediately that thing about "Is this an omen?" popped into my head. Hours later, I was still alive, much to their (probable) disappointment.

One thing I've noticed about them. They aren't pestered and chased by other birds like hawks and owls are. At least I've never observed that. Maybe it's because they usually fly so high, other birds figure it's too much trouble to bother them, who knows.

Their vision is extraordinary, as is their sense of smell. It's been shown that buzzards can see a three-foot carcass from a distance of four miles. Perhaps further, depending on atmospheric conditions.

On the ground, they appear clumsy and ungainly, almost seeming to stumble as they walk. But once in the air, they become one of the most efficient flying and soaring birds on the planet.

I've often laid out in a field or pasture and watched them flying overhead...wishing so much that I could join them...soaring, riding the thermals, looking down at us with their own unique perspective.

[GKC]

Originally Posted by Watchdog

I've often laid out in a field or pasture and watched them flying overhead...wishing so much that I could join them...soaring, riding the thermals, looking down at us with their own unique perspective.

Flying with them would be fun...but if they invite you to stay for dinner, uh no.

[joeintexas]

Originally Posted by Stevens

Here is a bunch in my yard, a car ran over an Armadillo, there are usually a lot of them when armadillo is on the menu. I don't know if it is because they like it so much or it just takes a bunch to get the darn thing out of the shell!
Steve W

Why did the chicken cross the road? To show the armadillo it could be done!

[Kurusu]

Originally Posted by Watchdog

Turkey Vutures are very common in North Carolina. There isn't a day goes by I don't see them. Frankly, I'd be more worried if several days passed and I didn't see any. They're an extremely vital part of our ecosystem. We are also seeing more Black Vultures here now.

They're referred to as birds of prey, although they aren't raptors, but they have been known to swoop and bite young calves, sheep, and piglets. They're also a protected species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It's best not to get caught bothering or shooting them.

They are rightfully associated with death.

A couple of years ago, I walked outside and saw five of them circling over my house! Immediately that thing about "Is this an omen?" popped into my head. Hours later, I was still alive, much to their (probable) disappointment.

One thing I've noticed about them. They aren't pestered and chased by other birds like hawks and owls are. At least I've never observed that. Maybe it's because they usually fly so high, other birds figure it's too much trouble to bother them, who knows.

Their vision is extraordinary, as is their sense of smell. It's been shown that buzzards can see a three-foot carcass from a distance of four miles. Perhaps further, depending on atmospheric conditions.

On the ground, they appear clumsy and ungainly, almost seeming to stumble as they walk. But once in the air, they become one of the most efficient flying and soaring birds on the planet.

I've often laid out in a field or pasture and watched them flying overhead...wishing so much that I could join them...soaring, riding the thermals, looking down at us with their own unique perspective.

The birds that are truely clumsy on ground, but make me envious when I watch them fly (and I do watch them for long times) are.

[HOUSTON RICK]

Based on the first thing my wife says in the morning, I know what kind of day it will be.