Do you mean because vultures look for dead things to eat and since he's turning 40 he's on his way? LOL

Cute, I got it too.
Leslie

I get it, I just think it's too corny to be funny. JMO

I get it. Sounds like a cute idea!

I got it!

I got it right away.

I dont get it....

I get it. I used to do decorated cakes and often did one with a big stone 40 with a buzzard sitting on it.

I got it and I think it's a funny and original idea. Good for you!

sooey

I got it and I like it.

Linda

I got it. Go for it.

Linda

Do it. It will make him laugh.

Yea, I get it but I just don't think it's funny, sorry. vique.

A cartoon I saw years ago that I still remember. Two hungry Buzzards sitting on a fence.

The caption:

"Patience H*ll! I'm gonna kill something".

Gayle

I get the joke, but I don't like it -(sorry, Alisande). It would depend on Dave's sense of humor, but personally I'd be kind of offended if someone gave me that...
Suzan J

Okay, you asked for honesty. I get the joke, but I just don't much like it.

His great sense of humor means he will certainly "get" it, but will he want it hanging on his wall? I suggest using it as a birthday card, and getting him a small gift.

Forty isn't as old as it used to be.

Sue

I think it must depend to some extent on your age. Since I'm 25 years older than he, and think of 40 as practically a kid, I figure I can get away with this without people thinking it's an actual dig about being old.

The writing, BTW, will be small and written in light pencil, the way fine photographs are sometimes titled and signed. I may be mistaken, but I think he wouldn't hesitate to hang it on his wall. I'll let you know. Since most of you understood the line, even if it didn't make all of you laugh, I'll probably go ahead with this.

Thanks!!

I think it is a hoot and would laugh my butt off if someone were gifting that to me.

I get it. I would laugh and be pleased that you gave me a photo that you took yourself.

I got it but I don't like it sorry. Why not take an old cane and put a squeaky horn on it and a rearview mirror

I got it right away, too. Another idea would be .... -not too much longer until dinner!
I love that kind of humor.

Oh I got it too. It wasn't difficult and I think you probably know your friend fairly well. I'd do it.

Minnie - your suggestion is exactly what my girlfriends gave me when I turned 40. And the cane was so nice I saved it for the day when I might need it.

Oh - and they stuck signs in front of the parking lot at my daughter's grade school announcing that Melissa's Mom was turning 40 that day. Then they took me out to lunch but drove me past the school so that I could enjoy their work.

I got a big kick out of it. And of course I vowed revenge.

So watch out Susan - Dave just might get even with you.

I got it and I think it's a lot funnier than most of the stuff out there. I would bet he'd really like it. I doubt a 40 year old male would take offense to it... unless he knew someone that died form a vulture attack or something ;-)

When I turned forty DH put my senior picture in the paper with the caption LORDY LORDY Look Who Turned 40!
I'm sorry I don't care for the buzzard.

I get it and I think it's funny. When I turned 40, I got a lot of cards with semi-cynical remarks on them, like 40 is near death, ETC. It hurt my feelings a little, and I decided to send only friendly , uplifting cards on birthdays from then on!

I got it, but don't think it's funny. A vulture is waiting for him? I'd rather a card emphasizing youth, rather than "getting older". I don't much appreciate all the "now you're REALLY old" cards, "over the hill" cards, etc.

Count me in the "got it, but don't think it's all that funny" category.

I love good black and white photos. I think just a picture of an old buzzard (vulture) is great.

I got it right away, but failed to see the humor - of course, I'm 58 - the vulture would offend me, as well.

This is just MY humble opinion, but perhaps something to emphasize his youth would be taken in a better light - go to your local party store and look at some of the really cute cake decorations they have - many are funny, even rib-wracking!

Some people don't take teasing easily, and might secretly be offended.

Thanks for all the input!

My friend and his family go in for some heavy teasing, and I really don't see him getting his feelings hurt over this. I am, however, considering an alternate wording:

So Dave turned 40 Â I suppose it's still too soon for a practice flyover . . .

My vulture doesn't exactly fit the image of an old buzzard (I don't think):

Buzzards are beautiful and graceful birds, and yours is no exception.

Maybe you could word it:

Dave, you turn 40 today - we can't call you an 'Old Buzzard' for at least 20 more years, so here's to the next 20 years - may you feel as young as you look today!

Hey, I think it's funny. If he has a good sense of humor, he'll love it!

Did you know that vultures are protected species by law in America (Canada, US, Mexico, also Japan and Russia)? We had some that love to pick through the roof shingles of the buildings at work. The maintenance guy told me that the vultures were protected and they were advised to come up with a friendly way to get rid of them in order to save the roof. I think they ended up putting some sort of non-poisonous substance to discourage the vultures from coming down on the roof.

So, you can add to your original wordings something like this: "Oooh, Dave turned 40? it's time for a practice flyover! Hey, but at least he'd be protected the rest of the way!". Or, something in that meaning.

Ok... never mind about my suggestion on the wordings. It made no sense now after I read it over. Silly me...

Sorry alisande,I didn't like it either.
There is a dry creek bed behind our church and the Buzzards nest there.Have for the more than 30 years that I have been a member.It's really funny to drive up to the church on Sunday morning and see the Buzzards circling the roof!LOL We jokingly tell people we are the church with the Buzzards waiting for us to die!

You guys are so kind-hearted! That's good, except Dave has such a wicked sense of humor . . . he wouldn't know what to do with a sweet and gentle message.

Ntt_hou, I agree, but appreciate the thought! LOL

When is the birthday? Is there going to be a big party? Will you keep us posted as to Dave's response?

I think it is very rude, unless you use wording like kayjones suggests. Then I think it would be great. Just my opinion of course!!! It is a very, very nice pic.

I get and think it was funny. The picture is very good! The first thing I thought when I saw was "Only 40? But I'm hungry now!"

I guess I must be very rude then . . . and to think all these years I thought I had good manners. :-)

I would write the Hallmark Card version of a birthday message to certain people, but not this guy! He has a great laugh, and I have a history of setting it off. I look forward to hearing it this time. If I'm wrong, I'll tell you and take my punishment.

Mcmann, the party is in early August. I'll be back with all the details!

Chiroptera_mama, I missed your post. I like that! A lot. I may rethink this . . .

This modern preoccupation with youth is a guaranteed losing proposition.

You spoke of his appreciating a good joke ... probably a rather (so-called) "sick" joke even better.

I say, "Go for it"! You can apologize if he becomes offended.

Maybe you could have the vulture musing along the line of, "Maybe if I offered to do a face-lift for him, I could come up with a down-payment now"!

Some like gallows humour - some don't.

I think that he does.

ole joyful