On March 4, 2023, I photographed a Black Vulture nest site at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. A familiar pair was checking a hollow tree they had used before.
A Familiar Black Vulture Nest Site
Over the years, I have watched this pair return to the same location. During this visit, both birds appeared interested in their usual nesting spot.
The cavity sits inside a hollow tree. Its opening is close to the ground, giving the vultures direct access to the interior.
I paid close attention because I recognized the location. Seeing the birds return added more meaning to the encounter. This was not simply a vulture resting near a random tree.
Returning to a familiar nesting location is often called site fidelity. In this case, I had seen enough activity over several years to recognize the pattern.
The vultures were still checking the cavity during my visit. I did not see eggs or young, so I could not confirm what was happening inside.
For another detailed look at this species, see my American Black Vulture Portrait.
Photographing the Vulture at 800mm
I photographed the vulture at 11:39 a.m. at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. The close view shows why these birds make such interesting portrait subjects.
A long focal length helped me frame the bird tightly while observing the activity around the tree. The fixed f/11 aperture required a higher ISO to maintain a fast shutter speed.
Camera and Settings
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM
- Aperture: f/11 (Fixed)
- Shutter speed: 1/1250 second
- ISO: 2000, Auto
- Exposure compensation: +2/3
- Focal length: 800mm
- Date: March 4, 2023
- Time: 11:39 a.m.
The 1/1250-second shutter speed helped account for any movement. Auto ISO selected 2000 for the exposure I had chosen.
Watching This Pair Return
I enjoy finding new wildlife subjects, but familiar birds can tell a deeper story. Each return visit adds another piece to what I know about their habits.
This pair has made the hollow tree a dependable place to watch each year. Seeing them inspect it again gave me another close look at their seasonal routine.
I will continue checking the area during future visits. It will be interesting to see whether the pair keeps returning to this same hollow tree.