Storyful
One vulture figured out an easy way to take a quick break while up thousands of feet in the air … and it’s all thanks to a couple of paragliders.
The incredible video was shot late last month above Algodonales, Spain and while it might appear to be an incredible encounter with nature … there’s actually a method behind it. The technique is called parahawking and it’s practiced by paragliding instructor Scott Mason.
Parahawking includes a trained bird of prey to guide paragliders through thermal columns in the air. Participants don’t just get to be up close and personal with the animals … but the aerial trips also last longer and feel more “bird-like.”
Mason has been training birds since he was a young kid and says his goal is to bring awareness to the animals about the role they play in their ecosystems.