So today was an early day because I had to head to the office. I was already running late when Camera Girl walked out of the kitchen and said, “Don’t react or the dogs will start barking but there are a couple of momma turkeys at my bird feeder with about eight young. Go take a look.”
So, they were under the bird feeders looking for seeds on the ground that the normal birds spilled out of the feeders. But eventually they weren’t satisfied so they headed out into the fields. Camera Girl saw them heading for the gardens and said, “They’re headed for the raspberry patch. Do you think they’ll eat any of the berries.” I answered knowledgably, “No they only eat bugs and small critters.” Of course, they immediately attack the patch and clearly start picking ripe berries off the canes. I didn’t look back at her but I think there was a look. And I think there might have been a derisive sound. I came back with her own famous statement, “Well, everybody’s gotta eat, right?” So, I announced that I had to leave for work and made a show of ignoring the prehistoric creatures that had invaded my domain.
When I got home, I got the update. They had not only picked all the ripe raspberries but they then cleaned up the ripe blueberries too. Then they went down by the swamp and annoyed Moe and the rest of Camera Girl’s murder of crows that hang out there during the morning. Finally, they walked the perimeter of the fields until they ended up near the road and then made a nuisance of themselves for the motorists until they finally crossed the road and headed for the next swamp in their path.
I’ve always been interested in the turkey population because they provide an opportunity for interesting photographs. But here they were adding insult to injury. They not only didn’t eat any of the copious beetles that are afflicting my vegetables and flowers but they went out of their way to pillage my favorite summer fruit crops. This is the thanks I get for never hunting them or setting the dogs on them or even making fun of their homely appearance, clumsy walking style or spastic flying abilities.
Well, truth be told they’re still in my top five species of birds I like to see around the place. I like seeing the vultures (turkey and black) in the trees. I like to try and get a shot of a Great Blue Heron fishing in the swamp and I also hope one day to lure some of the local ravens into a closer arrangement. I’ve always thought they were fascinating creatures.
But there’s something appealing about a flock of turkey hens with their young walking around in Dunwich in the summer acting like they own the place and livening things up.
Yep, that’s true. However, if they come near the berries again, I may just get some rocks and help them to move along at high speed. At this time of year, I have my priorities.