hiking alone—
above one turkey vulture soars
five others zoom in
We're learning more and more of the fragility of nature, its vulnerability especially under massive resource depletion and CO2 emissions, but one thing that fascinates me about nature, is how perfectly tuned so many of its systems are: rain to field to creek to river to sea to cloud to rain again. Also, the way vultures sense our and other animal's vulnerability. How often have you driven down a country road to discover crows already feasting on a freshly-killed squirrel? They fly off as you past, then swoop down again.
Once in Florida my sister and I canoed the Rainbow River. At dusk, we headed back to the Marion County Park. As we paddled near, hundreds--if not thousands--of vultures were returning from hunting. They landed on every tree, every fence, even the concrete steps down to the lake. The park closed at sunset and we were the only people around. It was eerie seeing their large bodies float down over us, hearing their cries and the sinister thrashings of their wings. But it was also reassuring to discover them all gathered there, leaning into each other, seeking rest and comfort from the night.
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