Reasons I want to go to Turkey (2 out of 10)

(If you thought this series was about Costa Rica, you were gravely mistaken.)

SICK.

(From Jorge Rubio Photography.)

It's a Lammergeier.  They're massively huge vultures, with a wingspan of up to 10 feet, weighing up to 17 pounds, found only in high mountains to 13,000 feet.  They're scavengers and are able to digest bones.

They're huge.

  (From Wikipedia.)

Daniele Occhiato Bird Photography

While on the hunt for Turkish bird photos, I came across the stunning galleries of Daniele Occhiato on PBase.  The photos from Turkey and nearby countries multiplied my current Turkey craze exponentially.  

Snowfinch by Daniele Occhiato.

(From Daniele Occhiato Bird Photography.)

Be sure to check out the rest of his photos here.

October Bluestem

I really love October.  It's probably my favorite month.  It seems like everything is my favorite color.  The prairie is stunning right now, with big and little bluestems turning to their radiant mahogany-red fall colors.

Little bluestem seedhead.

Big bluestem seedhead.

I was trying to take a self portrait of me jumping, but I jumped too soon.  It looks like I'm giving the prairie a big air hug, which works, too.

Reasons I want to go to Costa Rica (1 out of 10)

(This series is in no particular order.)

A good reason for wanting to go to Costa Rica is to hear a Black-faced Solitaire's song in person.  Recordings (like the one below) give me goosebumps.

(From xeno-canto.)

Not a bad-looking bird, either.

(From Leo Garrigues Tour gallery.)

Unchained Melody