This puts a whole new spin on "peeping Tom." This turkey seems to feel we have a relationship. Not finding me at the computer in the afternoon, he carefully walked the railing all the way around the deck, looking in all the windows on the way. Finding me in the living room reading, he seemed content to just stand and watch, even waiting while I went to find the camera. Two can play this game, and having him so close was an opportunity to really inspect this bird. What I'd thought were unruly feathers from the toms' chests is really a group of hanging hair-like strands. I can't even imagine the purpose, but all the toms have this; the hens do not. Also, they have a blob of red tissue sprouting between the eyes that hangs down over the beak. I have no idea what it's called, but I found that the bird can raise and lower this to a degree when startled. I will be the first to admit that the head of a turkey is perhaps not a thing of beauty, although they do have large, dark, pretty eyes. The feathers of these wild birds, though, are glorious in the sunshine...glowing bronze, turquoise, purple, green...absolutely as gorgeous as a peacock. I can understand why Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey declared the National Bird...but then it would probably have to be taken off the menu at Thanksgiving, so it's just as well the eagle was chosen instead. Getting close to nature is one thing, being stalked is quite another. I do know this is not normal turkey behavior. Having a chicken stroll into the house...well, I could deal with that. If I find a turkey....
1 comment:
OK, that IS kind of creepy! I was thinking that this fellow might let you even touch him, but when you put it in terms of being stalked, then he is way too big to be cute and cuddly. But I suppose if it were a fawn on the deck peeking in, I'd feel differently and want to pet it like a dog. How long do you suppose Mr. Tom will keep up this behavior? Maybe when he sees a buddy on your dining room table, he won't be so amorous!
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