Owner Log In
  1. Nature

California Condors

The spectacular California Condor, a very rare and highly endangered species adds to it own drama by choosing the awe-inspiring Big Sur Coastline as a hangout. One of the my greatest experiences with nature was a California Condor making a very low, deliberate pass directly at me at eye level, then gliding directly straight over my head, less than 10 feet away. His approach started 100 yards or so away, wings locked in glide, moving directly toward my head, staring me down. I did not know what he had in mind! A few yards away, he slowly started pulling up. Over the noise of the ocean breakers below I could easily hear the whistle of the wind through the 22 pound bird's giant wings as it passed over me. Its huge shadow on the ground was impressive and somewhat menacing. Wingspan is 9 to 10 feet. Most likely it was just curious (a trait they have that can work against them), because I had stood there and watched it and a couple of other Condors for a long time before this happened. When I first took these photos, less than 150 California Condors were flying in the wild- mostly in the mountains and coastline around Big Sur, The Grand Canyon, Pinnacles National Monument, Zion, and a handful in Mexico. I had the thrill then of photographing many of these free flyers-22 of them close enough to read their wing tag serial numbers. (As of October 2020 their numbers in the wild have risen to 337). Their steady glide is rock solid and majestic, with very long intervals between wing beats. The Ventana Wildlife Society (and others) work hard to keep these birds healthy and safe. The bird's locations are electronically monitored daily.  If one appears to be stationary, even over a short period of time, a search rescue is initiated to check on it. Because each Condor's transmitter sends a unique signal with a dimensional characteristic, researchers miles away can I.D a specific bird and, with a twist of the receiver, tell if the bird is on the wing or perched! The Ventana Wildlife Society facilities were devastated by the massive wildfires several years ago, and your donations are badly needed to continue the bird's recovery process from near extinction. (Google "Ventana Wildlife Society").
Read More
  • May 22, 2007. The constant updrafts along the high cliffs of the Big Sur Highway allow the Condors unlimited soaring opportunities, and often right next to the roadway.

    May 22, 2007. The constant updrafts along the high cliffs of the Big Sur Highway allow the Condors unlimited soaring opportunities, and often right next to the roadway.

  • Condor #194, Big Sur, May 22, 2007. This bold, mature male fathered one of the rare chicks to be born in the wild.

    Condor #194, Big Sur, May 22, 2007. This bold, mature male fathered one of the rare chicks to be born in the wild.

  • Big Sur, California, May 22, 2007. There are only about 150 free-flying California Condors in the world. Here are three in one photo, no tricks. We saw as many as 5 at once that day.

    Big Sur, California, May 22, 2007. There are only about 150 free-flying California Condors in the world. Here are three in one photo, no tricks. We saw as many as 5 at once that day.

  • Closeup, California Condor 194, about 30 feet away, May 2007

    Closeup, California Condor 194, about 30 feet away, May 2007

  • March 8, 2007. Condor #171 soars close overhead along the Big Sur Coastline, Calif.

    March 8, 2007. Condor #171 soars close overhead along the Big Sur Coastline, Calif.

  • Condor #303, May 22, 2007. The younger Condors have black faces and the mature adults have pink faces. This one was close to the roadway when I fould it and allowed me several shots before leaving.

    Condor #303, May 22, 2007. The younger Condors have black faces and the mature adults have pink faces. This one was close to the roadway when I fould it and allowed me several shots before leaving.

  • Calif A, 3-07, Condor 171

    Calif A, 3-07, Condor 171

  • Z3Calif, Condor 56, Dec 5, 2006, 104A, small file

    Z3Calif, Condor 56, Dec 5, 2006, 104A, small file

  • Condor #251, named Crush, May 22, 2007. The regal bird died in the summer of 2016 at age 15.

    Condor #251, named Crush, May 22, 2007. The regal bird died in the summer of 2016 at age 15.

  • Bird #171, March 2007

    Bird #171, March 2007

  • Condor #311, March 19, 2007, Big Sur

    Condor #311, March 19, 2007, Big Sur

  • Condor #251, May 2007

    Condor #251, May 2007

  • Condor, California, 3-07, Bird #171

    Condor, California, 3-07, Bird #171

  • California Condor # 194, Big Sur, 5-22-07

    California Condor # 194, Big Sur, 5-22-07

  • March 2007, Big Sur Coast. The two large numbers are the last two numbers of the bird's I.D. number, or 71. The single dot under them is the first digit. This is Condor 171.

    March 2007, Big Sur Coast. The two large numbers are the last two numbers of the bird's I.D. number, or 71. The single dot under them is the first digit. This is Condor 171.

  • Condor, California, Dimage Z3Calif, Dec 06  Bird #311

    Condor, California, Dimage Z3Calif, Dec 06 Bird #311

  • Condors,Calif A, 3-07, Birds #171 and 06

    Condors,Calif A, 3-07, Birds #171 and 06

  • Big Sur Coastline, 5-22-07

    Big Sur Coastline, 5-22-07

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.
    March 2007, Big Sur Coast. The two large numbers are the last two numbers of the bird's I.D. number, or 71. The single dot under them is the first digit. This is Condor 171.
    Condor, California, Dimage Z3Calif, Dec 06. Bird #311.JPG
    Condors,Calif A, 3-07, Birds #171 and 06.JPG