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Carrion Luggage  Native to the Americas, the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) travels widely in search of sustenance. While usually foraging alone, it relies on other individuals of its species for companionship and mutual protection. Sometimes misunderstood, sometimes feared, sometimes shunned, it nevertheless performs an important role in the ecosystem. This scavenger bird is a marvel of efficiency. Rather than expend energy flapping its wings, it instead locates uplifting columns of air, and spirals within them in order to glide to greater heights. This behavior has been mistaken for opportunism, interpreted as if it is circling doomed terrestrial animals destined to be its next meal. In truth, the vulture takes advantage of these thermals to gain the altitude needed glide longer distances, flying not out of necessity, but for the joy of it. It also avoids the exertion necessary to capture live prey, preferring instead to feast upon that which is already dead. In this behavior, it resembles many humans. It is not what most of us would consider to be a pretty bird. While its habits are often off-putting, or even disgusting, to members of more fastidious species, the turkey vulture helps to keep the environment from being clogged with detritus. Hence its Latin binomial, which translates to English as "golden purifier." I rarely know where the winds will take me next, or what I might find there. The journey is the destination. |
| How about some dubious travel advice today? From TimeOut, whoever they are. Why Western Montana is best visited outside of summer  Here’s my case for an off-season visit to the home of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. I want to be clear: I'm not ragging on Montana here. I know we have at least two members here from that scenic state. So that's, what, 10% of its population? What I take issue with is "outside of summer." I've driven through Montana "outside of summer." Sure was pretty... until I had to venture out of my nice warm car with its heated seats to refuel, and nearly froze into a statue. Western Montana, in particular, overflows with visitors during the summer, thanks to its proximity to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. I would, admittedly, like to see Yellowstone, preferably at some time when it's not overly infested with tourists. Glacier National Park, though? That sounds cold. Even though June through August might be the most popular months to visit, that doesn’t mean it’s the best time for a trip. "Best" is, of course, a value judgement and an opinion. Because I don't like being in a crowd or following one, I do enjoy traveling in the less-than-peak season. We used to go to the Outer Banks every September, which was still pretty warm but less crowded, especially with most kids being in school and consequently not shrieking and running around. Sure, the hurricane risk was greater, but we only had one vacation interrupted by impending doom, and that's what travel insurance is for. Still, you won't catch me there in December. That's probably why the Wright brothers did their testing there and then: everyone else had the good sense to stay the hell out of Kitty Hawk. Peak season problems don’t end with endless elbow rubbing on the trails and inside restaurants. I know I joke a lot about *shudder* the outdoors, but, shh, don't tell anyone, I do enjoy the occasional stroll out in full view of the accursed daystar. What I do not enjoy is having to deal with other people while doing so. While I'm not in the least bit interested in climbing Mount Everest anyway, pictures like this one  make me want to even less.Temperatures are at their highest, making outdoor activities a little less enjoyable. And you just lost me. I want warm. Hell, I'm okay with hot. Not to mention, the mosquitoes and black flies can be relentless. That's because you ventured *shudder* outside in the first place. Wildfire season overlaps with this busy time of the year, bringing added risk to your trip. Okay, that's fair. Being stuck in the wild during a wildfire would be an actual nightmare. Lest we forget, though, Yellowstone is home to a supervolcano that will one day wipe out most of the life in North America and maybe beyond, and if you're there, you're at Ground Zero. Fine, though, I'll admit that a) being at Ground Zero would be preferable to suffering somewhere on the fringe, and b) the risk of supervolcanic activity is way lower than that of wildfires. One of the best parts of going to a new place is connecting with those who live there. I can name endless trips where a random conversation or even just small talk with a barista has resulted in amazing recommendations and provided important additional context on a place. Now, on this point, I can absolutely relate. Except you need to replace "barista" with "bartender." Montanans will tell you that fall is the state’s most underrated season. Many of the outdoor activities popular in summer are still possible, but with fewer people. I think it depends on exactly when in the fall. Late September? Sure. Early December? Did that, hated it. Winter gets a bad rap, but it’s actually one of the most picturesque times to visit Western Montana. Sure, temps can be frigid, but that’s part of the appeal. No it's not. The author also waxes poetic about spring there. Like I said, the area is worth seeing. It's just that some of it is worth seeing through a window from a climate-controlled space. |
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