This week I had the opportunity to shoot a few images of vultures with one of our readers, Ray Miller. He has been kind enough to provide our readers with some of his favourite photographic locations in the Niagara area and once again shared his expertise. There are quite a few vultures at the Niagara Gorge and they can be easily viewed and photographed from the Locust Grove Picnic Area.

NOTE: click on images to enlarge

The entrance to this scenic outlook over the Niagara River is located about 100 meters south, just prior to entering the traffic circle at the entrance to the Queenston Heights Park. There is a small sign marking the entrance (keep your eyes peeled – it is easy to miss).

We arrived about 10:30 in the morning on a bright, sunny day so the thermal updrafts were already attracting a number of vultures.

We were quite fortunate that some of them came reasonably close to our vantage point, allowing some decent image captures.

All images were captured hand-held using a Nikokn 1 V2 and a Nikon 1 CX 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 lens. I shot in Manual mode with auto-ISO. Most of the time I used AF-C with subject tracking, utilizing 15 fps bursts.

The vultures have a couple of favourite perching branches and we were able to capture a few usable images as we shot through various branches and leaves.

Caution must be exercised towards the edge of the gorge as there is nothing beyond the wooden railing to protect you in case of a fall.

While vultures are far from being considered attractive birds they are quite large and if you can get close enough are great subjects to practice your bird-in-flight technique.

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Article and all images Copyright Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, duplication of any kind, or adaptation is allowed without written consent.