Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sometimes a Great Gobble...

The sound of gobbling caught my attention yesterday morning and I looked out the bedroom window to see two big boys strutting their stuff,
We counted over thirty turkeys in all and I was far more fascinated by the gobblers than were the rest of the flock.

The two big boys stayed side by side much of the time and wheeled and advanced on the ladies with a slow and stately step.
It was like some ancient ceremonial dance, involving large fans.  I snapped and snapped, wishing I were closer.

Then some of the flock noticed me and took wing. Amazing to see how well these big birds fly!

The courting gobblers were not to be deterred. They just herded their harem away from me and continued with their dance.
 

24 comments:

Brian Miller said...

how cool to see that...see them sleeping in the trees every now and then...

Martin said...

You managed to get some good shots, Vicki. Thanks for cutting us in on the event, too.

Pat in east TN said...

What an incredible sight for you to see Vicki, and thanks for sharing the pictures. Wow! I don't believe I have ever seen a turkey in flight.

chiccoreal said...

Dear Vicki: Great pics! How'd you get them, you have great skill with the camera. We see the ocassional turkey family always without a "Tom". I'd love to see a Tom! Especially when they do their "strut" and show their fine plummage. Oh Vicki, you're lucky to get those pics!

Elora said...

Lovely!
Elora

BB said...

I can't get over how fast wild turkeys can run too. Great pics.

Louise said...

Wow! Your gobblers are courting already. I'm green (or maybe white) with envy. I'm fretting about the turkey ladies up here. I haven't seen them in several weeks. I hope that they survived the miserable cold and snow of this winter.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

We see a lot of wild turkeys in our mountains as well. Like you, I'm amazed how well they can fly.

Great shots Vicki. Seems we're always without our camera in these moments.
Sam

Jill said...

What a treat to see those gobblers!!! Love the shot of the turkeys flying. I have been seeing lots of tracks, but no turkeys.

Brenda said...

Your turkeys are much more "wild" than our city turkeys. I have to run right into the middle of the flock, waving my hands or a broom like a crazy woman to get them to fly off. I am in awe of that photo you got of the turkeys flying. Wow!! Double wow!! And that hilarious photo of the two turkeys strutting side by side brings to mind a day last year when I watched two toms strutting and gobbling and carrying on like nobody's business for these three females - who staunchly ignored them the entire time. It was so comical. You had to feel kinda bad for those toms - they were trying so hard!

By the way, I chose you as a recipient for the Stylish Blogger award, cause I enjoy your blog so much! Check out today's post for details if you get a chance. It's just a fun little "pass it on" type thing. :)

Tess Kincaid said...

I've see a wild turkey or two in my neck of the woods, but never with tail fanned out in first grade construction paper glory!

Suz said...

Oh I love the wild turkey
but have never seen one fly..seen them in trees but never caught them flying..oh I take that back..one did fly up onto our deck...but didn't actually see the flight..just the landing
I think you have seen spring coming for sure...

Christine said...

How lucky to see those beautiful Toms right out of your window. It's always awesome to watch wildlife.

Reader Wil said...

Gobbler is good word. It imitates the sound the male turkey makes. My daughter in Oz had one gobbler and two hens.Your turkeys are wild ones! Amazing! Great photos!

Liz said...

Absolutely awesome! I too have never seen the Tom's show their "stuff" off! I use a turkey call, and I'll get a few close by but they won't come too close because or dogs start barking at them.

Friko said...

A totally alien image for me. i have never seen wild turkeys, so thank you very much for the pictures.

Deanna said...

Gorgeous! A beautiful dance. Those two big boys strutting side by side... wow.

Thank you!

jennyfreckles said...

These are wild birds? Oh wow! You introduce me to so many things I don't know. Thank you!

Vicki Lane said...

They were back this morning -- the two gobblers doing the synchronized strut and all the hens ignoring them.

When we moved here 35 years ago, we never saw turkeys or deer or even squirrels. Now, as fewer people farm or keep cows and the fields all around grow up, there's lots more wildlife.

I was lucky on that flight photo -- a bunch of them flew and I had time to catch the stragglers.

Many thanks, Brenda, but I've had to say I don't accept awards -- too time-consuming, alas!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I've never seen turkeys in flight- very cook!

Tipper said...

Great shots of the turkeys!

Darla said...

Beautiful how you shared the "ancient ceremonial dance" of these unique creatures. And thanks for the flying shots!!!!!! In all the times I've seen turkeys around here, I've yet to see any of them fly so this was very cool! :-)

Margaret said...

Ha! The shot with the two toms together almost makes it look like they are presenting themselves as a valentines gift (heart shaped). :)

Kath said...

Clearly your turkeys are much better fliers than mine. When I startle our visitors, and they take off flying through the trees and down the hillside, I hear so many thumps as wing meets branch. Ouch!