LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

These Turkeys are Already Thankful

Wild turkeys live amongst us in our community.  And this year seems to have been a very successful breeding year for them.  In the late summer we saw large flocks of hens and poults together wandering through our woods.  Now that the poults have grown up, we see fewer large flocks but still a lot of turkeys.  They are pretty much indifferent to our cars and it is not uncommon to find a car stopped in the road waiting for the turkeys to cross.


One of the turkeys prepares to cross the road in front of us.





 The other one soon follows.





 This one does a turkey trot on the way.



These turkeys will not be Thanksgiving dinner for anyone and I think they are already thankful for that.  A vegan friend visited us and remarked on the beautiful turkeys we saw.  I knew she was silently thinking, "How can she eat such a beautiful intelligent bird?"  I have a confession to make.  I have been in the midst of Thanksgiving dinner only to look out and see a wild turkey or two.  I was doubly thankful for the turkey in the yard and the one on my table.  We buy a fresh organic turkey every year, from a local farmer who raises them with compassion.  They live a comfortable life.  (Well, up until the time they are slaughtered.)  Thanksgiving dinner is without a doubt my favorite meal of the year.  And I am thankful for the turkey that makes it possible. 



Can you stand another couple of photographs of the Bass Pond?  The day was so calm and beautiful that the pond was like a mirror reflecting the opposite shore.













16 comments:

LoieJ said...

You caught your view of the pond at the perfect time. Wow. We are too far north for turkeys. But I see them sometimes near my mom's house in Wisconsin. It is interesting that we can see so many birds that didn't used to be common. I'm thinking especially of the bald eagle and Canada Geese.

Boondocks Love Shack Pack said...

Great pictures!!

AROOOOF!
Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

Taradharma said...

more Bass Pond photos! They are splendid.

I've never seen turkeys in the wild...they are weird looking birds. Almost were our national bird, I guess.

I'm not a big enthusiast about their meat, but of course I eat it (dark, smothered in gravy) and Thanksgiving is also my favorite holiday. Focus on food and simple things to be thankful for. No presents, just good eatin' and lying about afterwards. Here here.

Ms. A said...

I like turkey if it's cooked right... and I don't have to do it. If I had to do the killing, I'd starve.

The bass pond is gorgeous!

carolina nana said...

There are an abundance of wild turkeys in our area also this year. I am thankful we don't have to hunt ans shoot our Thanksgiving turkey !!!
Blessings
Marilyn

troutbirder said...

Beautiful pond for sure. Any bass om Bass Pond? I used to hunt pheasants a lot. Turkeys were nonexistent in souther MN. For decades actually. Then the sloughs fenceline were all drained and removed. Pheasants and ducks are about totally gone. We now have wild turkeys everyplace....

KB said...

I love your Bass Pond photos. Just like a mirror, and the colors are gorgeous.

If I had to hunt my own food, I'd probably starve... I love seeing our wild turkeys (and your great photos) but I also eat turkey.

Andrea said...

Thanks for the wonderful photo reflections, very serene and tranquil scenes. Those turkeys are so lucky to be living in those areas, they will not survive in poverty stricken areas.

Ginnie said...

Your area looks so much like where my daughter and husband live in upstate New York ... complete with wild turkeys !

Busy Bee Suz said...

"Why did the turkey cross the road....."
I remember seeing a lot of wild turkeys when we used to vacation in N.C. I actually saw one here a few weeks ago; strange.
I love that you purchase your turkey from a local organic farmer, that is the best way to do it.

btw: Thanksgiving is my fave meal of the year too....should eat it more than once a year!

Arkansas Patti said...

It is odd at how smart the wild turkey is and how mentally challenged the domestic one is. Seems like we breed the brains out in favor of a plump breast.
I think it was Ben Franklin who wanted the turkey to be our national bird. Then what would we eat for Thanksgiving--Eagle??

Rudee said...

Those turkeys are interesting. I do love the reflections of the trees in that pond photo. I think it would be fun to turn it into jigsaw puzzle.

GOOSE said...

Wonderful Photos!! When I lived in VA the turkey's would just walk across the yard. It was amazing.
Thanks for the training advise. MOM did take me and I passed. I just wanted to be funny with the photos.
Goose

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

We saw many wild turkeys along the roadsides during our recent NH visit. Hopefully, they will not be on someone's dinner table.

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

PS - It was indeed a perfect time for the pond.

Tara - We love turkey, not just at Thanksgiving but all year round.

Carolina nana - Yes, it is a lot easier to buy them than to shoot them.

Troutbirder - I don't think there are any bass in the pond now, but the Vanderbilt's used to stock the pond so guests could catch large bass.

KB - I'm with you. I know they have to be slaughtered in order for us to eat them but I don't think I could do it.

Andrea - Our community is quite large and protects all wild animals and fowl. The turkeys seem to know that they are safe here.

Tipper said...

Love the view of the pond. We have many wild turkeys here too-sometimes they cause a slight traffic jam : )