Field notes, v1400
Page 347
Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library. Contributed by Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. | www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Transcription
Gymnogyps californianus April 9, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. perched at Big Cave area but frequent shifting. saw an adult leave fast of pool. 4:55, at least 1/2 at Big Cave area & much shifting still - 1 atop lost tree, now at pool, 1 circling fut down, 5 on whitewash ledge, 2 on ridge over cave, 7 atop cliff (2, 2's). 5 p.m. - also 1 adult flat on top branch of Flat Ro. & another circling above W. West Ridge. Light breeze still, smokey haze in deep Canyon. So - at least 15 condors seen. Returned to base camp. April 10, 1946 Hopper Canyon, Calif. At 7:25 I was in car blind about 1/4 mile E. of the horse carcass. 3 ravens & 3 turkey vultures were feeding on the carcass at that time. Sky clear, fair E. breeze, very dry 54°F. 7:55, 6 ravens & 5-6 turkey vultures constantly at carcass - occasionally a t. v. pecked at a raven & drove it back. I saw 1 adult - then 2 adults & we min. at 7:58 - over the Rim SW of carcass. They soared 100 ±' above the brush & rocks to N. rim, than cut back & skimmed 50 ±' above rocks near the carcass (8:03). 8:09, the 3 skimm'd 30 ±' over the carcass, min. especially close, but not down, min. following pair. 8:12, one adult alighted atop the rock point about 50 yds. S. of the carcass, 4 min. beside it. Ravens & t.'s continued feeding. The min. launched to edge of the cliff almost imme- ediately & by 8:15 was (?- down near carcass?). Neither dist was landed. Adult stood alone, puff ups. A turkey