Close Encounters of the Turkey Kind
This photo was taken at a distance far too close for comfort.
Originally I had stepped out to feed the crows some old popcorn and take some pictures of measurements of turkey tracks in the snow. However, my mindless monotony was quietly and very disconcertingly interrupted by a rather large turkey off my port side who was closing steadily. In my distraction I'd accidentally broken one of my cardinal rules - give wild animals lots of space and leave them alone, and everything will be cool. Oh goody...
(Before I tell the rest of the story, let me step up on my soapbox for just a bit. IMHO, there's something extraordinarily selfish in the "exploits" of "experts" who insist on capturing creatures just so they can get a pic or a video shot and perhaps some ratings on TV. Science is one thing... narcissism wrapped in science is another. I say that unless it's absolutely necessary to handle wild animals (tagging, etc.) leave them alone. And if you do have to tag, do it and release the animal ASAP without mugging for a camera. Think of it this way... A bird probably feels the same sensations of hopeless fear during tagging as we do during a car crash. Show some empathy.)
There... That off my chest... The big gobbler was approaching fast. He wasn't charging, but he definitely wanted to get to know me and that was not good. (As a kid I was attacked by a 2 lb. rooster, and he drew blood. Imagine what a 10 lb. turkey could do.) Thankfully, old instincts kicked in - I drooped my head slightly to the left without losing all eye contact, slowly backed up, and spoke very softly in a medium/high tone. (If you really want to learn how to back away from a confrontation with a wild animal, do what I did and learn with skunks. You'll know when you make a mistake.) And with that, the turkey changed course at about 3'. I backed off enough to take this quick shot of the fellow.
As for the original mission? The crows got their popcorn, and the turkey track measurement is below - 3" to 4" front toe to back spur. Like I said... Oh goody.
See you by the feeders,
CapeCodAlan
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