Well, I am up this morning, checking in with all of you, and look out the window towards the raspberry patch. And what do I see? Competition!
3 VERY large wild turkeys and 11 (at least) chicks!
I have seen signs of large something being in the patch, and I always thought the berries on the edge looked like they were being gotten by something.
So I grabbed my camera, ran out and took pics. While I was doing that, one of the adult turkeys came within 10 or 15 feet of me. Just strutting toward me clucking. I was a bit afraid I'd get charged...but I guess I did the right thing and took one step backward, at which point it turned around and strutted off in another direction. It was pretty obvious during that time that one of the other adults was telling the chicks to be motionless. I'll send Sally some pics after I download them.
Katy
Competition
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
-
kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
Hi Katy,
That was a very interesting experience. I've never known wild turkeys to be that aggressive, but it sounds as if that was definitely an offensive move designed to keep you away from the chicks. Usually, they will just run. Those turkeys apparently are not that afraid of humans.
Most people probably don't think that a turkey could do much damage to a human, but they can create some pretty good bruises with their wings, and, of course, gobblers sometimes use their spurs to case fatal wounds on other gobblers during serious disputes, but I don't recall ever reading or hearing about them using their spurs on a human.
Usually, the main threat from wild animals, is females becoming aggressive while protecting their young. You were very wise to take a step backwards, rather than to turn your back. I assume that's the best policy with any animal confrontation.
That's an interesting way to start a Sunday morning. Thanks for shariing that.
Tex
P S I didn't change my avatar because of your post--Peg insinuated that I was a turkey, in another thread. LOL.
That was a very interesting experience. I've never known wild turkeys to be that aggressive, but it sounds as if that was definitely an offensive move designed to keep you away from the chicks. Usually, they will just run. Those turkeys apparently are not that afraid of humans.
Most people probably don't think that a turkey could do much damage to a human, but they can create some pretty good bruises with their wings, and, of course, gobblers sometimes use their spurs to case fatal wounds on other gobblers during serious disputes, but I don't recall ever reading or hearing about them using their spurs on a human.
Usually, the main threat from wild animals, is females becoming aggressive while protecting their young. You were very wise to take a step backwards, rather than to turn your back. I assume that's the best policy with any animal confrontation.
That's an interesting way to start a Sunday morning. Thanks for shariing that.
Tex
P S I didn't change my avatar because of your post--Peg insinuated that I was a turkey, in another thread. LOL.
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
Well, they didn't do much damage. I just picked a pint for our admin guru at work (she supplies me with blueberries in exchange) and there are plenty more for me out there. I'm also doing my part for propegating this patch because I swear for every 1 or 2 I pick, 2 or 3 drop to the ground.
Now I'm off to wash some dishes and make some blueberry muffins for Geoff, and a pie for me (gf crust of course). Actually not sure how the top crust will come out. I use the Glutenfree Pantry mix and its so crumbly that there is no way to lift an intact crust. So I think I'll just put crumbs of it on top. There is enough butter in it to melt down into a crust I think. If not, it will be a cross between a pie and a cobbler....there's an idea...maybe I'll just make cobbler with the crust mix. That might be less time consuming and still taste great.
Well, must get at it. Also need to do some laundry.
Katy
Now I'm off to wash some dishes and make some blueberry muffins for Geoff, and a pie for me (gf crust of course). Actually not sure how the top crust will come out. I use the Glutenfree Pantry mix and its so crumbly that there is no way to lift an intact crust. So I think I'll just put crumbs of it on top. There is enough butter in it to melt down into a crust I think. If not, it will be a cross between a pie and a cobbler....there's an idea...maybe I'll just make cobbler with the crust mix. That might be less time consuming and still taste great.
Well, must get at it. Also need to do some laundry.
Katy
There's nothing wrong with cobblers. I've always preferred cobblers to pies, (cause you're not restricted on serving size, by the limitations of a slice--you can just take what you want. LOL)
Tex,
P S The turkeys might be back every morning, if they take a liking to the offerings in your garden.
Tex,
P S The turkeys might be back every morning, if they take a liking to the offerings in your garden.
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
What happened to the cigar????
Katy, that's really cool about the turkeys. Yes, send them to me toot sweet and I will make a "Katy and Her Turkeys" album. Cobbler? Yum. I like that better than pie, too. For exactly the same reason as Wayne said. And it's so simple. Crumbles on the bottom, fruit on the crumbles, and more crumbles on the top. Who needs to fuss with pie crust?
Lots of love,
Sally
Are those wild blueberries you are talking about? Have you ever made Blueberry Molasses Pudding? I used to spend all summer in the raspberry and blueberry patches in Sunapee, NH.
Never saw any turkeys, though. Except maybe a cousin or two......
Katy, that's really cool about the turkeys. Yes, send them to me toot sweet and I will make a "Katy and Her Turkeys" album. Cobbler? Yum. I like that better than pie, too. For exactly the same reason as Wayne said. And it's so simple. Crumbles on the bottom, fruit on the crumbles, and more crumbles on the top. Who needs to fuss with pie crust?
Lots of love,
Sally
Are those wild blueberries you are talking about? Have you ever made Blueberry Molasses Pudding? I used to spend all summer in the raspberry and blueberry patches in Sunapee, NH.
Never saw any turkeys, though. Except maybe a cousin or two......Mitakuye oyasin
(Lakota for "We are all related")
(Lakota for "We are all related")
-
annie oakley
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3859
- Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 5:56 pm
-
kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
Well, I went out and picked another pint for my blueberry supplier...Sally, they are cultivated, but fresh! Our Admin Assistant at work has 11 bushes and her family tires of blueberries after a while so she shares. Plus she does not have access to raspberries of her own, so I've been giving her those in return. Didn't even get halfway down one of the paths through the patch, so the turkeys haven't done too much damage.
Funny story about pie servings. I had a math teacher in HS who told wonderful stories and one was about her Aunt who absolutely insisted on cutting pie in 5ths! Her rationale was that 6ths weren't big enough (sounds like you guys opinion) but 4ths was obviously too piggy! Cobbler it will be, and I'd better get too or I won't have any tonight.
Katy
Funny story about pie servings. I had a math teacher in HS who told wonderful stories and one was about her Aunt who absolutely insisted on cutting pie in 5ths! Her rationale was that 6ths weren't big enough (sounds like you guys opinion) but 4ths was obviously too piggy! Cobbler it will be, and I'd better get too or I won't have any tonight.
Katy
Shirley