Crestline Soaring Society

I arrived late to launch at 12:40. It was blowing in perfect. The back flag showed blowing down from the west. I didn't play around. I launched at 1:50 and went left to the house thermal. Worked that, the middle bump, and The E cone for 20 min and got to 1K over. Another 20 min got me to 2K over. I finally got over 6K msl back over the ranches south of launch. I looked at the South towers and my heart lept in my chest, I saw at least 10 vultures turning in a big fat circle. As I kept looking, (and turning towards them), I saw them coming from every where. By the time I got to them there was at least 50 birds in a huge circle. I started going up as soon as I headed their way. I went from 6K to a little over 8K in just a few minutes. I turned down wind and was going 41 mph, (in a paraglider?), In no time at all I realized that, a.) I was over half way over the lake and b.) I had no ride. Rats, my XC trip was cut short. So I turned around and headed back to land at my personal LZ at home. It was pretty bouyant and I made it all the way back over launch with 1K to spare. From there I chose to top land on the PG launch next to my car. It was blowing down at about 10 - 12. Made for an easy landing. 1 hour and 50 min. 870 fpm lift, 8K+, and a good top landing. Thanks to the vultures for showing me the convergence.