It's no secret I like checking out abandoned buildings.  It's interesting to see what life was like generations ago, and how easily our built environment decays back to nothing.  Usually I don't run into much more than a mouse or random Santa Claus.  In the summer of 2024, I discovered something I'd never seen up close before: adaolescent vultures.  TWICE!

My first encounter was on a paddle trip along the Roselawn, Bluff, and Sucker Creek system stemming from the Bond Flowage.  I hopped out to inspect a lost UPPCO camp in the woods when a vulture flew out of the window.  "That's kinda strange, wonder what that's doing here..." I thought as I went inside.  In a back corner of the cabin I spotted a wheezing little creature sitting on a pile of porcupine poop.  I thought it might be the vulture's prey, but when I got closer it turned out to be a baby vulture!  It was one of the ugliest things I'd ever seen.  I later learned that vultures set up nests in abandoned buildings and occasionally caves.  Huh!

Later in the summer, I was again exploring the backwoods of the U.P. when I came across a dishelveled barn at the end of a long-closed road.  When I poked my head into the basement, I could hear skittering footsteps upstairs.  That was kinda weird because I hadn't seen a way up to the second floor for a critter to get into.  I scaled a ladder and to my surprise there were TWO teenage vultures hopping around!

These vultures didn't like me interrupting.  One immediately puked up its lunch all over, which smelled ripe in the confined space.  I have a bad sense of smell and even then I could tell it was gross.  The second vulture ran over to the ladder and unfurled its wings in a defensive display.  Vultures don't have much in the way of actual defense beyond intimidation and vomiting rotten, half-digested food near you.

Eventually I was able to sneak out of there.  I vowed that 2024 was the Year of the Vulture.  I've visited hundreds of abandoned places in my life but until that summer had never found a vulture before.  Hopefully this is a sign of things to come!