Once the snow disappears, and that was just a month ago, we watch the emergence of wildlife upstate. We have three acres, hundreds of trees, and many animal visitors.
There is a family of wild turkeys that patrols our neighborhood. At any time, anywhere from one to seven turkeys can appear on the meadow in front of our house. It might be difficult to tell from this picture, but this bird is at least twenty pounds and it’s just May.
No, we have never had one of our wild turkeys for Thanksgiving. I think about it, but I’m not a hunter. And if I asked Suzen to “go out and kill the turkey” I think that I would not receive a positive response.
It’s an odd thing but we view these critters as more than wildlife. They really are part of the neighborhood and we’re going to give them a pass all year long. They are not pets, but they aren’t strangers either. We watch those chicks in the extended family add weight month by month at a rate that amazes us.
The wild turkeys for sale at our local butcher? Well, they are not neighbors. Totally different story.