Saturday, July 9, 2011

More turkeys in the yard

I haven't blogged much lately -- I think it's mostly been from a bit of "blog fatigue". (Hopefully, that's not just a rationalization for laziness.)

I suppose part of it too may be due to the fact that it is summer, and we're finally having some stretches of good weather after all of the rain in the spring.

Anyway, at the risk of inducing "turkey fatigue" in the readers of this blog, I have to share at least one photo from yesterday. When I came home, I spotted our flock of turkeys nonchalantly strolling past the front of our house, and I managed to quickly roll down the window of my vehicle and get my camera out in time to capture some images. This was my favorite.


I kind of like the fact that this group of birds feels comfortable enough in our yard to make it part of their weekly perambulations. -- PL

2 comments:

Mark H said...

This is a great picture. Look at all the young ones! How cool is that. I just showed my wife this picture. She loved it.
Since we are talking turkey, sorry could not help myself, did you know that Ben Franklin would have preferred the Turkey be our National Bird?
After Congress adopted the Bald Eagle on the Great Seal Franklin wrote this to his daughter:

Franklin's Letter to His Daughter (excerpt)

"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

"With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country . . .

"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

I agree with Franklin, his arguments against the Bald Eagle are sound. The Bald Eagle is a beautiful, majestic looking bird but, the Turkey is strong bird with it's own unique beauty. Plus the Turkey doesn’t run from little King Birds. ;) What a funny observation by Franklin!

Thanks for sharing Pete. I don't get to see Turkeys with their young that often.

Chris said...

Mama Turkey probably hasn't explained Thanksgiving to them yet... ;-)