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Gymnogyps californianus
A Critically Endangered animal that came back from complete extinction in the wild and where efforts are still in full swing to bring it back to full potential. During the 1980's, the complete extinction of wild California Condors was all but guaranteed. In 1987, the last wild California Condor was taken to join the remaining 26 captive condors in an effort to boost the population through breeding programs... It succeeded. Today, their numbers, in the wild, have escalated to an all-time high of 430-still a sad blip in the existence of North America's largest land bird. California Condors themselves are visually striking. They have black bodies, near ten foot wingspans, and faces the colors of sunsets. Being vultures, we depend on their ability to cleanse our ecosystems of deceased animals.
Rocky shrubland, coniferous forests, and oak savannas.
Condors are astonishingly graceful fliers. Great thanks to Ventana Wildlife Society, Dr. Joe Burnett and the Condor Rehabilitation Team. Santa Lucia Mountains, Big Sur, CA.
20 Comments
Photo No. 1: is very beautiful....
Thanks again Desmond!
Incredible Series Joshua!
Thanks Luis :) I appreciate it.
Congrats Joshua, great series!
Thanks Tom! Yeah they are really something. They make the local Golden Eagles look small.
Congrats Joshua. Great pics and the last one gives a good idea of the huge size of these birds.
Thank you very much Antonio and Reza! Much appreciated.
Great series Joshua ,congrats on the well deserved SOTW and thanks for sharing
Spectacular !
Thank you very much Yasser! I deeply appreciate the honors. And thank you Daniele :)
Awesome series Joshua. Congratulations!
Josh, growing up in California in the 80s, I remember how close we came to losing these amazing animals forever. It is such a great comeback story and here's to hoping their numbers keep rising. What an incredible bird and thanks for sharing these awesome photos. This series has been selected as our Project Noah Rangers' Spotting of the Week.
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Thanks Fyn and Rangers :) It's an honor.
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Thank you AlbertKang and Ashley :)
Great series of pictures and information!
Beautiful shots, Joshua!
Thank you Jae :)
Beautiful pictures and spotting, Joshua.