C&T Publications Eye on Fine Art Photography - June 2014 | Page 81

Encounter with a California
Condor
by Armand Sierras
So here's the condor story. The California condor is the largest bird of
the North American continent and once dominated the skies above it.
During the 20th century, the population declined at an alarmingly
rapid pace and by the 1980's, only 22 existed in the world. In 1987,
the last of the free flying condors was captured and taken into
captivity to preserve it from extinction. Thanks to re-introduction
programs, there now exist over 400 of these birds. Many free flying.

California Condor in the distance, sitting on the edge of an outcropping. ©
Armand Sierras

So, I had heard about the condor and never expected to see one in my
lifetime, captive, let alone free. My wife and I visited Bearizona in
Williams, AZ and on a spur of the moment decided to see the Grand
Canyon. Taken by the beauty and awesomeness of the canyon, I saw
what I thought was a turkey vulture and began to shoot it. While they
are related, the condor being a vulture, this was no turkey vulture. It
was the California condor. Talk about the STOKE of a lifetime. I actually
shot a free flying California Condor, (Gymnogyps Californianus)!!!
http://www.defenders.org/california-condor/basic-facts

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