Fowl Play

[Ben70_imp]

I was enjoying my loop through the foothills west of Willows and Orland when I spotted a trio of turkey vultures enjoying a roadside snack. I began slowing as the two on the outside hopped off and the one on the inside jumped up and took a couple quick flaps in front of me. I zigged and just caught the end of a wing on my left mirror with a light thump.
A quick glance in the mirror showed no apparent damage to the bird, and I stopped shortly after to get this photo of Stony Creek.

Lots of water for this time of year after our wet winter last year. I spotted roadside deer lounging in the shade of the oaks, a flock of turkeys, a ground squirrel perched on a fence post and doves were weaving across the road, all close to the creek in the otherwise dry landscape.
West of I-5 there was no traffic today, had a very enjoyable ride.

Ben
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[the Ferret]

Luckily you didnt take on that bird head on. Chances are he'd have cleaned off that newly painted windshield lol

[Ben70_imp]

Yeah, I spotted them in the middle of a curve and slowed from 60-ish to 30-ish by the time I got there. I watch for wildlife all the time, it's not just the Geico squirrel out to get me.

Ben

[GoldOxide_imp]

Maybe the animal circus was just trying to make you stop so they could gawk at your CB.

[Cormanus]

Punching a large bird into that screen would be a sad thing.

Feel free to send any surplus rain our way. God knows we need it.

[Foxcroft007_imp]

Very lucky you weren’t hurt. I’ve hit one at 70mph. Went right through truck windshield and knocked me out cold.

[Vic_imp]

Good thing about missing the bird head-on. Nice picture. I like your windshield!

[Chuckk_imp]

I like that windshield too.. what kind is that ? .. did you paint it, I would imagine.. winter is coming.. it looks like that gives you lots of protection..

[Obleo]

We have turkey vultures here. You need to be on your toes if you happen up on them. Sometimes they won’t fly away until you get real close,or other times at quite a distance.

[Chuckk_imp]

here too in ventura.. but I haven't had any wait till the last minute to fly .. I have hit smaller birds though.. can't remember what kind they were.. they were flocking birds and their instinct to stay in formation was their demise..