This is just a quick unscheduled post to show you something I've never seen before. A turkey high up in a tree!
I was outside with our old Beau-doggy around 6 pm today, when I heard a loud noise that sounded like someone falling off our roof. It turned out to be the flapping of a turkey's wings as he flew up and perched in a tree at least 35 feet up. I didn't know that turkeys could fly, and I certainly have never expected to see one in a tree.
I had seen this handsome bird, with four lady friends, behind our house earlier this afternoon. It's not like we live in the country, either. We live in a regular suburban town, with average-sized lots.
This year we also have a fox with a new litter and at least one huge raccoon in the neighborhood. And I've smelled a skunk. I'm not happy about that skunk! But I'm always amazed at how much wildlife we see in our own backyard, and how certain animals are trying to adapt to living with us humans as we encroach more and more into their territory.
It's been a very strange month here so far anyway, with temperatures in the 80s this week, when we usually still have snow. Things that usually bloom in May are blooming now already. . .
Anyway, did you know that a group of turkeys is called both a "rafter" and a "gang"? I found a wonderful place on the internet where they list the proper term for groups of just about any animal, bird, reptile, fish, etc. you can think of here at the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center website. I need to know things like that! Teehee!
