Egyptian Vultures by Ken _Gilliland
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Description
I've been updating some of my older birds to use the latest renderers... it's a pretty big job considering I've created over a 1,000 different species... here's my take on the Egyptian Vultures in Iray. It seemed like a good choice to post since Vultures fit a Halloweenish theme.
The Egyptian Vulture is the first ever recorded bird ever to be protected by law. The Egyptian Pharaoh felt a kinship to this vulture and feeling that their job as natural cleaners was very important to the health of his kingdom, he forbade anyone to kill this bird. This crime was punishable by death. After this ruling, the bird came to be called "Pharaoh's Chicken." At least five different species of vulture (neret) lived in ancient Egypt. The vulture was also a symbol of the goddess Mut, as well as Isis and Hathor. The bird also served as a symbol of the feminine, often in opposition to the scarab who signified the male principle.
This vulture flies with more wing beats than most vultures, but takes off much more gracefully, as it is built lighter and smaller. Once gliding, the bird holds its wings flat, shifting them very little. The bird possesses great endurance, and is able to fly up to 70 kilometers in search of food.
The Egyptian Vulture is declining in large parts of its range, often severely. In Europe and most of the Middle East, it is half as plentiful as it was about twenty years ago, and the populations in India and southwestern Africa have collapsed entirely. In the case of India, this apparently is attributable to the widespread use of the NSAID Diclofenac. Many famers poison vultures believing they promote disease—in fact, vultures do the opposite by cleaning up potential sites for diseases to spread.
Rendered in Iray without postwork. Credits: Shaaramuse's High Coast Canyon,
Comments (11)
Kordouane
It's so well done that you'd think it was a picture
Greywolf44
Wonderful bird and great info as usual, Ken. You did forget one thing - this bird is a tool user! Breaking eggs with rocks. Keep up the great work.
mininessie
great!
miwi
mtdana
Awesome looking bird and great lighting!!!
crender
Excellent !!!
KarmaSong
A most fascinating composition and render ! this is truly excellent !
Shawn21
This is so realistic! Your birds are so amazing! Great job!
Flint_Hawk
Wonderful setting for these realistic birds!
A_Sunbeam
Diclofenac is fed to cattle - and when they die (in India) their corpses are lef for the vultures. Diclofenac kills vultures, so there is a breeding programme now. Diclofenac also causes stomach ulcers; This I know from bitter experience ... It was given me as a painkiller (for arthritis), never killed any pain, though; I ended up in Emergency with a perforated ulcer!
minkura
another amazing render from your gallery. awesome job. 5 magic stars for you (⊃｡•́‿•̀｡)⊃━★★★★★