5:45 a.m. and three of us had a tee time at the Santa Rita Golf Course in Vail, AZ. We played nine before starting the workday. I thought I was doing pretty well until we reached the fifth tee.
We were greeted by a sight I'd never seen. Donte' Ormsby (who lives on the course) told us that these vultures roost in this huge tree every night. That's Donte' on the right. (He's the man who created my website mikeintucson.com)
The vultures were catching the day's first rays, stretching and talking amongst themselves, when Kevin Wood (left) stepped up to do the honors. Kevin's a REALTOR with Realty Execs in Tucson.
"Ready?" he said. He saw me with the camera pointed upwards, and expected that the birds would take flight when he rocketed the golf ball down the fairway. He was right. The birds didn't hang around.
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That's kinda scarey Mike. I saw vultures at our zoo and they're kinda big
Sally,
They were huge! Thanks for being the first to comment.
Mike in Tucson
Uh, something smells dead. It must have been me as my game really stinks - LOL...
Your building consultant for life in Nashville, TN
Hmmmm, from Hawks to Vultures? Was play all that dead? Glad that you could get out before going to work.
Don,
Same golf course! We also saw four Roadrunners.
Michael,
I see where you're going on this, and you're probably right... LOL
Mike in Tucson
Ummmm - dont' take too long to make that shot ... you might get pecked on to move along. :)
Carol,
Pecked on is something I can stand; it's those other bodily functions I worried about. Got away unscathed, though.
Mike in Tucson
Fortunate that they were just roosting there and not feeding on something.
Lenn,
I did ask them to recommend a good breakfast place, as this golf course is 34 miles from my home as the crow vulture flies.
Mike in Tucson
Great shots! Good you were able to snap them. I'm glad to see you teed off and got moving!! I'm not sure I'd want to get too friendly with that bunch!!
"What Does It Mean When A Dozen Vultures Show Up to Watch You Tee Off?"
Let's see...
Glad you escaped the other bodily function. Kate Ford
Doth quoth the Raven...
How come we dont see a pic of YOU teeing off?? Or, were you driving the beer cart!!!
:)
Kool photo Mike!
D
Another good reason to avoid slow play. Golf can be a dangerous game.
Terry,
LOL.
Darin,
My excuse is that I was the guy behind the camera. Reality is that it's usually four to get on the green and three to get in. :)
Kate,
I'm going with your third suggestion!
Dorie,
They're a somber bunch, aren't they?
Mike in Tucson
There are just too many one liners running through my head!
All that blogging and time for golf too?
I showed an estate home in the country that was 10,000 square ft with 2- acres of land. The home way vacant, and I kept hearing some noise from the chimney. I went out back, thinking that maybe something was loose on the roof. It was a buzzard sitting on the chimney.
While we were driving back, the buyers had forgotten about the house, but not the buzzard. It's just not a good sign.
Years ago after summiting a mountain a group of us were lying in the sun on the flat rocks at the top, resting and cooling off. Some napped, and when we awoke there were buzzards circling us...LOTS of buzzards circling us...creepy!
That's kind of creepy, Mike!
A bit wierd Mike lolol. Hichtcock would have been proud of you.
This reminds me of the movie "The Birds" and I would have been kind of spooked having them up there looking down at me. Cool picture! When you look quick, it looks like bats!
Sharon,
REAL BIG BATS! LOL
Lloyd,
It's the strangest thing I've seen on a golf course!
Ann,
Yes it is! Someone told a birding friend of mine that she didn't like vultures "because they eat dead things." Said my friend, "So do we." :)
Cheryl,
Now THAT's spooky!
Larry,
You hate when that happens!
Dawn,
Yup! Golf, too. Tee time: 5:30 a.m.
Mike in Tucson
Hi Uncle Mikey:
pretty scary. Mom said it gave her the creeps.
Luv, Ryan
Howdy there Mike
Maybe them there vultures roost in that tree, every night. So they can be the first to play a few holes also. Before they head off to work. lol
Dale,
You're right; the buzzards roost in that tree every night. They're stretching and gathering the morning rays before heading off to breakfast.
Hey, Ryan!
Thanks for commenting on my post. I'd like to have you playing a couple of the courses out here with me; you'd probably beat my socks off. Love you!
Uncle Mikey