I have never seen as many turkey vultures on a daily basis than those in Loudoun County.  They seem to be everywhere.  Your kids may call them hawks or raptors, but often the turkey vultures circle in groups of three or so, their wingspan is pretty distinct with black and some grayish tones.

Turkey vultures have a sense of smell for rotting animal flesh (unlike other vultures that wait for the turkey vulture to smell the carcass and then descend and eat the decaying animal).  I used to think the turkey vulture was a useless opportunist, but they actually serve a purpose in preventing the spread of disease by consuming carrion.

I have seen them up close a number of times because I know where they nest on some trails I frequent.  They do not scare very easily, as I have been within 15 feet or so of their perch.  They are often in pairs, while one timid one will fly to a higher perch.  I have never seen one of their eggs, though.  They like to nest in old trailers or structures like that to the right of the below picture frame.  Two of the birds live in that trailer and are most likely nesting a couple eggs in there.  When my dog and I approach that trailer one vulture will fly away before we reach the sight line, flying to nearby trees, while another typically waits for me to crest the hill and then flies to a group of trees closer to the trailer, taking watch over the dog and I as we move past the trailer.  It is a fairly consistent routine.

Anyway, here is a link from the Audobon Society if you are interested in more.