There was none of the fanfare from the crowd that normally accompanies a fight, in fact, no crowd, period. I just happened to glance out the kitchen window, saw these two young tom turkeys in silent combat, and grabbed the camera.
Thinking my presence would send the boys off into the woods, at first I kept my distance, but these two were serious and so intent that I was no distraction at all. None of these pictures were taken with a zoom lens. Following them around the yard, at one point I actually bopped one on the back to break them apart or at least call a time out. They didn't even blink.
There seems to be a two-part strategy in a turkey battle: grab the opponent's beak in your mouth, hang on and pull him around, or wrap your neck around his and push as hard as you can. As an up-close and personal spectator, I can say it is an amazing sight. This was not a fight to the death, but a display of dominance. Realizing I was not going to dissuade these toms in any way, I left them to it and went back in the house. Some while later, I saw that two older males had joined the younger and were obviously coaching them on technique, sparring and then breaking apart while the young ones watched. They all walked off together, lessons learned.
I see the darnedest things.
1 comment:
You do INDEED see the darndest things! Who knew...about turkey tussles or demonstrations by the coaches. What fun - maybe not s'much for the young'uns, but for US!
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