Tekakwitha Woods wildlife encounter

I took the kids to Tekakwitha Woods in St. Charles on Monday. This is a smaller-ish forest preserve with a very nice nature center to explore. In the past, I've taken students there on field trips and the staff there is always so helpful and willing to help answer any questions about the animals or plants we come across. Today was no exception. Adam and Lucy and I prepared for walking in the woods by packing way too many snacks. Adam, as always, felt the need to dress the part by putting on a camo hat, bandana, walking stick, and we had to stop for rubber boots that could get muddy. Lucy was just happy to be outside with us. We park the car and head on the path that goes through the woods, to a wooden footbridge, across a "ravine" and on to the nature center. There are a few sidepaths to walk on to go to different areas of the forest preserve, this just happened to be our first destination. We hadn't gone too far into the woods when I saw a shadow of what I thought was a hawk. "Quick kids, that hawk has to be HUGE, it's shadow is so big! look up!" As soon as I saw it, I instinctively grabbed Lucy (who was closer to me, Adam was running on ahead) because this was no hawk.
It was a turkey vulture. And it was soon joined by a second one. They were just off the path between where we were and the 2nd sidepath, not even 1/2 way to the footbridge The two of them flapped their wingspans at us and generally just perched on the top of a lightning-struck tree to look tough. It was VERY cool, but a bit intimidating with their size. The forest ranger seemed surprised to know we had seen not just one, but two of them, and so close to the path. I showed my pictures to confirm what we had seen and she disappeared for a bit. A few minutes later, out came her birding books and ranger reference materials. :) She was excited to share our siting with the others she works with and although we thought maybe they were nesting in that tree, it seems that turkey vultures aren't that bright. The randomly lay their eggs on the ground and hope for the best. I started thinking that although I certainly prepared a much better "nest" for MY babies, I'm not too far off in the parenting department. No matter how well you think you are protecting, preparing, teaching and guiding your chicks, sometimes you just have to put them out there and hope for the best. Today....I think we did pretty well. They are smiling and enjoying each other! Happy Turkey (vulture) day!