Tag: wildlife

A Perfect Carcass – Every Time

The Gourmet Vulture: A Culinary Journey in the World of Carrion

Vultures might not have Michelin stars, but they sure are the connoisseurs of the animal kingdom when it comes to dining on dead things. These winged gourmands have turned scavenging into a fine art, knowing just when to swoop in for a meal and when to pass on something that’s past its prime—or, ironically, not dead enough yet. Let’s take a peek into the culinary habits of vultures, where the timing of dinner can make all the difference between a gourmet feast and an indigestible disaster.

Scavenging: The Original “Street Food”

Long before humans were raving about food trucks and street vendors, there was scavenging. The word “scavenge” comes from Middle English and was all about cleaning up the streets, which, let’s face it, was probably a job that involved dealing with some pretty gross stuff. Fast forward a few centuries, and vultures have literally taken this concept to new heights. These birds are the ultimate street food critics, cruising the skies for the perfect carrion pile to sample. If Yelp existed in the animal kingdom, vultures would leave reviews like, “Two talons up for the tenderized deer carcass by the highway!”

Fresh Meat? No, Thanks—I Prefer It Aged

You might think vultures would be first in line for a fresh kill, but no, these birds prefer their meat with a bit of age—think of it as nature’s version of dry-aged steak. Freshly dead animals are simply too tough for these guys. They don’t have the tools to tear into a fresh carcass like their more glamorous cousins, the eagles. Vultures are more about finesse. They wait until decomposition does some of the hard work, softening up the meat and releasing those mouth-watering (well, to a vulture) aromas that say, “Dinner is served!”

It’s all about finding that sweet spot where the meat is tender enough to tear into but not so far gone that it’s turned into vulture repellent.

Can Meat Be Too Aged?

While vultures are happy to let nature marinate their meals, they do have standards. Yes, even vultures can find meat that’s too far gone. If a carcass is more maggot than meat, or if it’s dried out like a piece of jerky left in the sun too long, these avian food critics will pass. Sure, vultures are tough, but they’re not immune to the dangers of spoiled food. Even they know when to say, “Nope, not worth the tummy trouble.” They’re picky eaters, in their own way, balancing the need for nutrition with a healthy dose of self-preservation.

The Art of Knowing When to Eat

Vultures might not need reservations or menus, but they’ve mastered the timing of their meals. Their highly tuned senses tell them exactly when a carcass has hit that perfect stage of decay, where it’s not too fresh and not too far gone—just right for a satisfying meal. It’s like they have their own internal clock that says, “Wait for it… wait for it… now!” And in swoops the vulture, ready to feast on a meal that’s neither too tough nor too toxic. They’re not just eating; they’re ensuring the whole ecosystem stays healthy by cleaning up what other animals leave behind.

Conclusion: Vultures, The Unsung Culinary Heroes

So, next time you see a vulture circling overhead, don’t think of it as a grim reaper. Instead, imagine a discerning diner waiting for just the right moment to dive into a meal that’s perfectly aged to its taste. Vultures may not be glamorous, but they play a vital role in nature, keeping the environment clean and healthy by knowing exactly when to feast and when to fly on by. They’re the ultimate scavengers, ensuring that in the grand buffet of life, nothing goes to waste—but only if it’s just right.

Vultures

Bear Lake, Baldwin Lake and Big Bear Lake

In the summer of 1845, Benjamin D. Wilson, who owned part of the interest in the Jurupa Rancho, the site of the present city of Riverside, led a troop of Calvary in search of cattle rustlers.

Setting out from San Bernardino Valley, he divided his command. Most of the men he sent through Cajon Pass, keeping only 22 Mexican troopers with him to follow a trail across the mountains. Two days later, Wilson and his men reached the lake, where they sighted scores of grizzly bears.

Big Bear Lake

Most of the soldiers had been vaqueros. They formed in pairs and drew reatas, each pair attacking a bear. One looped a rope around the bear’s neck; his companion roped the same bear by a hind foot. Then, the men drew apart to stretch the rope taut and hold the bear a prisoner. They bagged and skinned eleven bears, stretched their hides, and continued across the mountains to join the rest of the command on the desert at Rancho Las Flores, on the Mojave River.

Here, the reunited party engaged Indians in a fight, after which Wilson and his 22 vaquero-troopers returned home by the lake. They again found the place overrun with bears, and the same 22 soldiers brought in eleven more bears—enough to give them a bear rug apiece as a trophy. It was then that Wilson gave the little body of water the name Bear Lake.

Years later, the name was changed to Baldwin Lake. The name survives, however, in Big Bear Lake, which was created at the site of the Talmadge Ranch in 1884, when a dam was built to provide a constant water supply for the Redlands District.

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Adapted from ~ Pioneer Tales of San Bernardino County – WPA – 1940.

The Intriguing World of Side-Blotched Lizards

Introduction:

Side-blotched lizards, scientifically known as Uta stansburiana, are a remarkable species of reptiles that inhabit the arid regions of North America. These small, agile creatures have captured the attention of many researchers and reptile enthusiasts due to their unique characteristics and intriguing social behavior. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of side-blotched lizards, exploring their physical attributes, habitat, feeding habits, and the fascinating dynamics of their social interactions.

Physical Attributes:

Side-blotched lizards are relatively small, measuring 2 to 3.5 inches long. They have slender bodies covered in scales, providing protection and aiding their movement across rocky terrains. These lizards are known for their distinct color patterns, with males displaying three primary throat colors – orange, yellow, or blue – each representing a different mating strategy.

Habitat and Distribution:

Side-blotched lizards are native to the western regions of North America, ranging from Oregon and California to Mexico. They are well-adapted to arid and semi-arid environments, including deserts, rocky slopes, and shrublands. These habitats provide them with an abundance of crevices and rocks to hide under, allowing them to regulate their body temperature and protect themselves from predators.

Feeding Habits:

As opportunistic predators, side-blotched lizards have a varied diet. They primarily feed on small insects, such as ants, beetles, and spiders. Due to their small size, these lizards need to consume significant food to sustain their energy levels. They rely on their keen eyesight and quick reflexes to catch their prey, making them efficient hunters in their habitat.

Social Behavior:

One of the most intriguing aspects of side-blotched lizards is their complex social behavior. With their distinctive throat colors, the males employ different mating strategies to ensure their successful reproduction. The three primary throat colors – orange, yellow, and blue – represent different strategies: orange-throated males are dominant and defend large territories, yellow-throated males are sneaker males that mimic females to gain access to mates, and blue-throated males are territorial and monogamous.

These different mating strategies create a dynamic social structure within the population of side-blotched lizards. The success of each strategy is dependent on various factors, such as the number of available mates and the presence of other males with different throat colors. Researchers have found that these lizards can undergo rapid shifts in their mating strategies depending on the prevailing conditions and competition.

Conclusion:

Side-blotched lizards are a captivating species that exemplify the diversity and complexity of the natural world. Their unique physical attributes, habitat preferences, feeding habits, and intricate social behavior make them a subject of great interest among scientists and reptile enthusiasts alike. By studying these remarkable creatures, we gain valuable insights into the intricacies of evolutionary adaptations and the fascinating dynamics of social interactions in the animal kingdom.

Walter Feller – 2023