The blue head means that Tom is in the mood for love. . .or maybe lust. He was over in the pasture, wheeling in slow circles and putting on a mighty show -- plumped up, wing and tail feathers displayed.
Eight turkey hens were a little ways off, totally ignoring him as they looked for good stuff to eat.
He was so elegant and handsome . . . and they were so unimpressed.
This went on for about forty five minutes. Eventually all but one hen disappeared into the woods. The one hen moved closer to Tom, who was still doing his slow Kabuki dance.
She didn't look at him but she got closer .. . before disappearing into the brambles lower down. At which point, so did Tom.
I hope that all that blue face and fancy featherwork did the job.
16 comments:
Blue face? Obviously I've had a very sheltered life... I had no idea!
What a handsome guy. I am constantly amazed at the size of the turkeys that visit your farm compared to those we see in our area. They make ours look like outcasts.
Sam
My mind just wandered off thinking about human displays similar to this. And, what if human males became Blue in the Face (is that where this saying came from?) when they were looking for love/lust. Teenaged boys would have to wear makeup instead of the girls wearing it. Oh, my, there goes my stream of consciousness again.
Haha, I was having similar thoughts to Mary Anne. Not sure I could fancy a blue face but then I'm not a turkey.
Ladies!...and on a Sunday!
Ladies!...and on a Sunday!
ha. so cool...usually i will start seeing them along my drive to school....i havent yet, but i look forward to it....
Just met a guy who went turkey hunting last week...and "bagged" one...and paid someone else to clean it before bringing it home for his wife to cook. I think this may be our way of "sharing the blue face."
Terrific photos! And what a great 'story' line to go with it. All the effort and he found an admirer! What a guy!
What a grand Tom. Love is definitely in the air. After all, it IS spring.
I followed a bunch of wild turkeys down a mountain road last week and had a good laugh. They spread across the road, about five of them, and one decided they should take to the woods and let me pass, I suppose. But none of the others would go with him, so he scurried back and ran to catch up with them. They kept me creeping along until they found a fork in the road, and thankfully, they took the one I didn't. I do enjoy your posts Vicki.
Ah those turkeys sure are colorful -- barbara
Vicki, you've made me smile. Thank you for this primer on turkey courting techniques.
Another sign of spring.
(Not all that many courting turkeys here on the Upper West Side, so I count on you to keep me in this particular loop.)
xo
How fun!
Love is in the air and buds everywhere.
I hope poor Tom was successful in finding a girl friend.
At least the lovers were discreet.
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