Well, the wild turkeys who would flee months ago as soon as we opened a door have now made themselves entirely at home here. They wander around the farm at will, up the drive, past the dog yards, through the gardens, under the apple trees. The dogs don't even pay any attention to them any longer. Alayne took that photo of some turkeys on the other side of the fence in the front yard. Dogs were in the yard and up on the porch, but no one cared:
One evening after dinner we were sitting on the back deck and enjoying some quiet time when the resident flock of turkeys started flying up into the trees to roost for the night:
(Click on the photo for a larger image.)
This was the big aspen tree just below the house. Other turkeys had taken to the trees in the woods behind it, and we could hear them rustling around as they worked their way higher and higher into the trees, fluttering from limb to limb. That's what the ones in the aspen did, too -- they flew up to the lower branches and then hopped from limb to limb to get farther up the tree.
Peaceable Kingdom :-)
Posted by: Lisa Brown | September 25, 2012 at 09:30 PM
Reminds me of an old guy with acreage east of Kalispell next to the mountains. He had barn cats and a Newfoundland watchdog (to warn about marauding bears) who couldn't care less about the dozens of wild turkeys that settled on his property. The dear old man carried dog kibble in the pockets of his coveralls and the turkeys would follow him around begging, plucking the kibble right out of his hand. Shy? Hardly!
Posted by: Debbie Burke | September 23, 2012 at 01:29 PM
Turkey see, Turkey do! Awesome!
Posted by: Linda | September 23, 2012 at 12:54 AM
I'm jealous - I've been rather fascinated with wild turkeys since watching the PBS special "My Life as a Turkey"; you should check it out :)
Posted by: Amber Lipari | September 22, 2012 at 08:24 AM
I can just imagine our furry friends saying"Pst,Pst I just wanted to tell you this is a fabulous place to live and our people take such wonderful care of us come on over" Thanks for sharing the whole spectrum with us!!
Posted by: Mae - Jefferson City | September 21, 2012 at 05:36 PM
They know a great place to hang out when they see it! Loved the latest newsletter. Great photos and wonderful stories.
Posted by: Tonya Allen | September 21, 2012 at 05:25 PM
Glad to hear the neighbors are finally warming up to the "new people" on the block! Does anyone else think turkeys look odd sitting in trees?
Posted by: Mary H./Washington state | September 21, 2012 at 09:44 AM
That's so nice they now feel at home. I didn't realize they slept in the trees at night. I had a guinea hen who came to live in my yard and become one of the crew and she slept in the tree at night, too. I'm sure they must help with the insect population or have another job they perform in exchange for living at RDF. Very lucky birds indeed.
Posted by: Barb Ribinski | September 21, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Isn't it interesting when they feel safe---it is pretty darn amazing. Hopefully they don't multiply and take over. Reminds me of Trooper and the chickens.
Posted by: Shirley * James/Portland, OR | September 21, 2012 at 01:14 AM
Those turkeys know a good place when they've got it! :)
Posted by: Ann | September 20, 2012 at 11:07 PM
Ah, the sign that you've finally "arrived!" Congrats!
Great neighbors, great distant early warning system (http://www.porticus.org/bell/dewline.html).
Yes, turkeys can fly. Not their best feature, but doable.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | September 20, 2012 at 08:55 PM
How fascinating! They must feel really safe there.
Posted by: Leila K. - Western Wash. | September 20, 2012 at 07:44 PM