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October 29, 2016

More Scenes Along Skyline Drive

Mary's Rock Tunnel

Vultures are not pretty when seen close-up but they can soar beautifully. Many people find these large birds creepy not only because of their appearance but because they eat road kill. However, wildlife experts point out that they serve us by disposing of carrion. They are a protected species. I like watching them float along on the winds.


A Dog Walks his Owner on Dickey Ridge

I also like seeing deer and there are plenty of them in Shenandoah National Park. Sometimes you see them along Skyline Drive, and usually you can view them by walking in Big Meadows in the central section of the park. Unfortunately deer are now threatened by a progressive disease called chronic wasting disease. The park has a management plan in place and the state game commission is publicizing precautions for hunters.





14 comments:

  1. Anni 6:29 AM, October 30, 2016

    Pretty deer! And that tunnel is awesome. Do you know why they named it Mary's? Yes, I agree the vultures are not a handsome bird but when they find those thermals they can glide effortlessly!

    We birders appreciate your participation this weekend at I'd Rather B Birdin'!!! Thanks for sharing this!!!

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    1. Linda11:28 AM, October 30, 2016

      There are several legends about the name Mary's Rock. One is that an early settler with the last name Thornton named it after his daughter. The gap that 211 runs through is Thornton's Gap.

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  2. Bill6:52 AM, October 30, 2016

    Lots of wildlife in Shenandoah and plenty of opportunities for photos as you have shown us. Nice set of images Linda!

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  3. eileeninmd7:00 AM, October 30, 2016

    Hello, I love to watch the vultures soaring. Cute doggie and the deer are beautiful. Great shots from Shenandoah! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your Saturday and the weekend!

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  4. Out on the prairie7:22 AM, October 30, 2016

    Love to watch the vultures. One day I was fishing a secluded cove and thought I heard people, it turned out to be vultures roosting

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  5. Optimistic Existentialist8:18 AM, October 30, 2016

    I love the way vultures gracefully soar - I have always admired them :)

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  6. The Furry Gnome8:45 AM, October 30, 2016

    Lots of Vultures around here, but they're gone til next year now. Ithink I remember that tunnel.

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  7. Connie12:47 PM, October 30, 2016

    I enjoyed your photos. I have always liked watching the vultures soar and float in the sky. Seeing deer makes me smile too.

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  8. Breathtaking12:54 PM, October 30, 2016

    Lovely photos, of everything. Loved seeing the soaring vulture, and the deer. I wish we had them roaming around where I live.

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  9. William Kendall1:58 PM, October 30, 2016

    Vultures certainly are graceful up in the air.

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  10. Linda W.3:43 PM, October 30, 2016

    Love the fall colors in your first photo! Too bad about the deer getting ill.

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  11. Lowcarb team member6:30 PM, October 30, 2016

    Six very nice photo's.
    I love the two last ones of the deer.

    All the best Jan

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  12. Michelle8:41 PM, October 30, 2016

    This is such a beautiful area. Wish I could visit it more often.

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  13. Yogi♪♪♪9:09 PM, October 30, 2016

    Beautiful shots, I love seeing deer in the wild.

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