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California Condor

Gymnogyps californianus

Description:

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.

Habitat:

Rocky shrubland, coniferous forests, and oak savannas.

Notes:

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.

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20 Comments

maplemoth662
maplemoth662 6 years ago

Photo No. 1: is very beautiful....

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 9 years ago

Thanks again Desmond!

Desmond.E.S.O
Desmond.E.S.O 9 years ago

Incredible Series Joshua!

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 9 years ago

Thanks Luis :) I appreciate it.

LuisStevens
LuisStevens 9 years ago

Congrats Joshua, great series!

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 9 years ago

Thanks Tom! Yeah they are really something. They make the local Golden Eagles look small.

Tom15
Tom15 9 years ago

Congrats Joshua. Great pics and the last one gives a good idea of the huge size of these birds.

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 9 years ago

Thank you very much Antonio and Reza! Much appreciated.

Great series Joshua ,congrats on the well deserved SOTW and thanks for sharing

Spectacular !

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 9 years ago

Thank you very much Yasser! I deeply appreciate the honors. And thank you Daniele :)

DanielePralong
DanielePralong 9 years ago

Awesome series Joshua. Congratulations!

Yasser
Yasser 9 years ago

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.

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/projectnoah/pho...
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/5...

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 9 years ago

Thanks Fyn and Rangers :) It's an honor.

Fyn Kynd
Fyn Kynd 9 years ago

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!

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 9 years ago

Thank you AlbertKang and Ashley :)

AlbertKang
AlbertKang 9 years ago

Great series of pictures and information!

AshleyT
AshleyT 9 years ago

Beautiful shots, Joshua!

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 9 years ago

Thank you Jae :)

Jae
Jae 9 years ago

Beautiful pictures and spotting, Joshua.

Josh Asel
Spotted by
Josh Asel

California, USA

Spotted on Oct 13, 2014
Submitted on Nov 6, 2014

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