My first flying bird :)

[tamplum]

There are about 20-40 living along the wetland area behind our house. I am constantly on alert, trying to get a good shot of them in the air, but they always stay just out of range.
Yesterday on the way home, I thought I saw an Egret by the water, so u-turned to take picture. Got out of car with my 55-200mm vr attached.. :eek: nope, just a white plastic bag :Curved:
Turned to walk back to car and who flies out of the trees about 200-300 feet away... the elusive bird. And flying right to me. I start snapping like a nut hoping just 1 turns out.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a327/tamplum/3-16-08-puthuff-party164.jpg
This is one of the better from the batch. Still learning but pretty happy with it.
What do you think?
ETA: anyone tell me what kind bird this is, will be grateful. :)

[DonRicklin]

We just had almost the same shot in another thread. First Hawk Try (http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=87705). You got in closer!

Turkey Vulture.

Good capture.

Don

[Maestro]

Turkey vultures just love to catch thermals and soar. They are good practice for BIFs. Also try to find some gulls. They are usually much more habituated to humans and are rather slow moving flyers. You have a nice lens but that focal length will be taxed with most bird photography.

[Harryb]

That is a good ole turkey buzzard. The bird is sharp but it's underexposed. When shooting a darker bird against a lighter background you need to do a positive EV adjustment (I would guess about a full stop here).