h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It definitely looks regal - lord of all it surveys.
You did well to get such a clear picture.

These pine cones are mine, and mine alone!

They are regal birds, yes, even though they are sometimes "sitting in the tree like some pigeon"

My parents are very fortunate to have buzzards in their garden so I have taken some great photos myself A87902571

I saw what *we* call a buzzard over the farm on Memorial Day. Unfortunately, I was in the pool at the time, so no photo.

Here's a US buzzard:

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Turkey_Vulture/id

They are beautiful in flight, and we are happy to see them, because they are scavengers and don't mean alarm for any of our domestic animals.

I learned about Turkey Vulture Buzzards in h2g2 the other week A2430244

I like vultures, too, as they do a great job of preventing diseases spreading because of their strong constitutions (I was fortunate to be able to visit a vulture sanctuary http://libertyscentre.com/ in the UK a couple of years ago, and that was very educational). My favourites were two disabled female vultures who had made a nest together with an egg one of them had laid but the flying displays were very impressive too, that other types of vulture approached surprisingly close to the audience.

that you have sanctuaries for them. They are vitally important to our ecosystems - and they get a bad press.

Raptors are also important, don't mean to diss them, but we watch closely during kitten season.

Yes, raptors have their place but can get a bit close for comfort in certain circumstances... I can well imagine kittens are at risk...

The kittens are safe with me...