Monday, November 22, 2021

California Condors on Navajo Bridge, Arizona

I've always wanted to see a California Condor.  This largest of all North American land birds nearly went extinct in the 80s.  They captured all the remaining animals, bred them in captivity, and then began re-releasing them.  One of the main release areas is the Grand Canyon and the Vermillion Cliffs area of Arizona.  I'd read that you can sometimes see them at Marble Canyon / Navajo Bridge.  When we stopped there this summer I thought, "Yeah, I won't see condors."  But I did!  

Sitting on the bridge.

Flying above us.

Awesome!      

Here's 54:A male born in 2004, released in 2006.  


If you spot one and can get its number, ask at the information center to get the details.  I also spotted 2Y, a juvenile female born 2019 and just released last year, plus a couple of others.  

At one point four were flying in circles above us at the visitor center, a couple quite close for a time.  It was awesome.  Everyone there was just standing, looking up.  I loved it.  




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