The Vulture

When I was standing outside of Winsom's house that day, I watched a vulture flying onto a tree right across from me, just looking down at me. I loved the way it came flying with those huge wings, completely soundless. He just sat down on a branch and looked over, and after a while I called the others out to see him, too. And then the show began, he started opening his wings and posing beautifully. I had never seen a vulture do that before. And they usually come in groups, not alone, so this was something special. Robbie got some really good shots of it. I looked up some information on it, too and thought it quite interesting.

The Vulture as Totem.
The scientific name for the Turkey Vulture is CATHARTES AURA which means GOLDEN PURIFIER because as it goes about it's lifetime business it purifies the landscape and environment in it's own natural way, ensuring the continued health and life of other living things. The Vulture is a promise that all hardship was temporary and necessary for a higher purpose. Once a Vulture enters your life as a totem or guide, it will remain with you for life.

Vultures live and work together, both in cooperation and friendliness. They communicate with friends and neighbors when they find something to eat. They let the others know where the food is. And when there is a big feast they communicate with neighboring flocks in distant roosts. Also, Turkey Vultures that range within California Condor habitat areas, when they find food they will go to the Condors and lead them to it. More here:

The last paragraph was something to think about as well:
Unlike the needs of nearly all other living creatures, vultures do not kill.
Their prey either dies or something else kills it.