As the sun’s first rays slant into the depths of Colca Canyon in southern Peru, Andean condors begin to ascend, riding morning thermals on outstretched wings as they scour the landscape for a meal of carrion.
The species is listed by the World Conservation Union as “vulnerable.” One of the world’s largest flying birds, the condor soars on three-meter wingspans and can weigh up to 15 kilograms.
Today, one of the best places to see the Andean condor is the semi-arid Colca Canyon, a marvel twice as deep as the Grand Canyon located about 160 kilometers north of Arequipa, Peru’s second largest city.
