A Congress of Proper Decorum

I see them everywhere I go at home, in the southwest, in the northwest. A big, dark bird soaring high on warm, thermal air. It turns just so and you see the silver lining on the wings....a vulture. A common sight. Here on the central coast of California, where the pickins' must be delectable and numerous, there is almost a vulture on every fencepost. I have become fascinated with them since a few years back when there was a dead elephant seal on the beach and we watched a 'congress' of vultures feeding on the carcass. Patience being their game, this was not like watching the "Mine-Mine-Mine" of the seagulls. These mannerly vultures, took turns feeding without noise or pushing or butting in line. With as much grace and dignity as they soar through the skies, they stood in line at the buffet.