I've been into raptors for 25+ years, and at age 54 saw my first California condor. We were driving back from the North Rim and I saw this massive bird, then ca

I've been into raptors for 25+ years, and at age 54 saw my first California condor. We were driving back from the North Rim and I saw this massive bird, then caught sight of the white underwing. Pulled the car over, into a couple small shrubs (I was excited, ok) and grabbed my camera. I didn't have my good binos (vintage Leica) but the camera had decent zoom. It was blasting wind and the condor was riding it like a roller coaster, sometimes straight over me, then seconds later a half mile north, then back, high, low. In the zoo, they just sit; here, it was in its element and full of life.