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Day 13, 365 Days of Gratitude

January 16th, 2016 at 03:57 pm



I am grateful for the wild turkeys that sometimes pass through here. Like the frogs, they are fun to watch. In past years, I'd get groups of several dozen, although these days, perhaps because of my neighbors' dogs, I only see one or two at a time. One year, I noticed a particular turkey that did not rapidly walk away when I was in the yard. Perhaps because I seemed turkey-like myself, as I bent over to pull weeds in the garden and not unduly interested in the turkey, it kept a safe distance but did not depart.

So I began to keep a handful of seeds in my pocket when I worked in the garden. The next time I saw that turkey, a female I named Claudia, I scattered black oil sunflower seed behind me and slowly retreated. It wasn't long at all that, as I walked away, sprinkling my magic seeds, I sensed a presence behind me, and looking over my shoulder, I spied Claudia greedily catching up with me to catch the fallen seed.

Over the course of the next few weeks, I kept luring Claudia to come closer as I sat or squatted very still. It was a real thrill to have this turkey peck seed from out of my outstretched hand, or to peck, with pinpoint precision, the seeds at my feet.

I fed Claudia as often as I saw her. One day, I saw two turkeys together. I think one of them was Claudia because she seemed torn between coming toward me and sticking with the other turkey. I watched as she hesitated and ultimately she wandered off with the other turkey. I was glad to see her do her thing and so very grateful for the special bond we shared.

(The turkey in this photo is not Claudia, whose pictures I still have but aren't on this computer.)

3 Responses to “Day 13, 365 Days of Gratitude”

  1. Ima saver Says:
    1452961719

    Years ago when Ilivedon the river, a wild turkey came into my yard. I too, feed her some wild bird seed. After that, she would not leave. I fed her every day for a long time and at night, she roosted on my back deck, overlooking the river. Finally, one night we caught her, drove her down the road about two miles (we lived in the boondocks) and set her free. It was neat to have a pet turkey for a while.

  2. MonkeyMama Says:
    1452962263

    Beautiful!

    There is a group of turkeys that live near my office building. I am surprised I have never seen turkey road kill. But admittedly they are HUGE! (They sometimes like to just stand in the middle of the road, and they do not budge for nothing). I've got pictures of them peeking in the door (they probably come up to the glass door to check out their reflection).

    Did you see the "My Life as a Turkey" documentary?

  3. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1453056401

    That is so cool!

    When my brother was married, the house he and his then wife lived in was in a neighborhood with a flock of wild peacocks. It was so cool to go for a walk there and encounter them in various places. Smile

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