Our Vulture Experience!

Jim Stafford’s song "Spiders and Snakes" brings to mind two of those most misunderstood creatures. Many folks may have a difficult time demonstrating quality caring when they come face to face with a snake in the garden.
I recall this caring aspect of our lives became evident on an evening trip- many years ago- to Cedar Creek State Park.

As we were returning to Glenville the girls spotted a lump of feathers in the middle of the road. We stopped and upon examination discovered a turkey vulture - a vulture who had been feeding on a decaying groundhog before it’s demise. I said "Dead bird"

At once the bird raised it’s head and it looked up directly at the girls.
"Dad we have to save the buzzard! It needs to have care and treatment."
Knowing the vulture was on it’s last leg and death was imminent, I moved the beast from the middle to the edge of road.

Darn..at that moment the bird stood up and the girls excitedly yelled ...."we really need to CARE for him and can not leave him here to die!"
Wife’s face showed concern. She knew of the defensive behavior of these fine birds. Anyone who has seen baby vultures soon realizes their fine defense mechanism - vomiting - regurgitation is very effect in defense if you are the recipient of such action.

I assured wife- all will be well. Critter is in shock and it’s defensive mechanisms will most likely not be utilized by this animal. I placed the crumpled vulture in back of our station wagon.

At the bridge coming into Glenville, the worst happened. Regurgitation! The smell of decaying ground hog permeated throughout our car. Driving with head out window and all occupants covering their noses with heads hanging as far out of the windows as possible.

Recuperation occurred in basement. This vultures, I learned, was a good critic of popular music. At the time the Pop star called Prince had a song entitles Purple Rain. Everytime that the song would be played by our girls..the bird reguritated! The vulture was returned to the wild. It sat in tree in our back yard for the next two days then flew off.

The girls demonstrated that even those creatures that seem disgusting need care.