The Cleanup Crew 1
March 12, 2017
While I was photographing the upended tree, Lynda called from further down the path. Was I interested in photographing a dead alligator, or was that too gross. This photograph shows my answer. Up north the turkey buzzards keep our rural roadways cleared of carcasses, and I have often thought of them as the cleanup crew. It’s hard to tell how much cleaning up these black vultures can achieve with such tough hide to work through. They were certainly doing their best.
Romancing Reality 
I’ve passed on shooting road kill, mostly because by the time I happen upon it is pretty gross. But this is very tasteful.
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March 12, 2017 at 9:53 AM
Thank you, Ken. A tasteful dead animal, eh? Maybe it’s a good thing I keep putting off buying a real telephoto lens. (The lens I’m using just goes to 80mm.) I’ve photographed quite a few dead animals, but I admit that I pass on the gross ones. I like to take photos of dead animals as my way of mourning them.
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March 12, 2017 at 9:34 PM
I know exactly what you mean. I photographed a bird that flew and hit my window. I didn’t think the shots were very good but I decided to bury the bird in my back garden. After I dug the hole and was about to place the bird in it the bird woke up. It fluttered around for a minute and then flew off.
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March 12, 2017 at 10:23 PM
That’s amazing. So glad you didn’t bury her first. Must have been a bit of a shock to you, though.
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March 14, 2017 at 7:26 PM
OK, my question is answered, that’s what happens when I go backwards!
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March 15, 2017 at 4:22 PM
You wanted to know why I photograph dead animals? Mourning is just one reason. Another is to document the reality of death. (It’s my continuing rebellion: I was raised in a cult religion that didn’t believe in death.)
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March 15, 2017 at 9:23 PM