I was sitting on the balcony talking to a friend in Geneva when I saw a large bird fly by. I’d often seen a red tailed hawk in the meadow but this one looked substantially larger. I didn’t want to break my conversation so I didn’t immediately rush in to get a camera, thinking that by the time I got back the bird would have gone anyway. So I finished my conversation and then went to get the camera. To my surprise the bird was still there when I returned: it had alighted on the branch of a nearby tree and was sitting some distance away in deep shade with very bright sunlight behind it. I still couldn’t really see it very well. As you can see it turned out to be a Turkey Vulture. It’s not such a great picture (focus off, too noisy), but considering the conditions I was pleased that I got anything recognizable at all. Not the most attractive bird I’ve ever seen.

Taken with a Sony A77II and Tamron SP A08 200-500 f/5-f/6.3 IF di