With a winter storm set to hit, I kept things local yesterday, not wanting to venture far from home. I found our local rafter of turkeys in their usual spot and part of that was this funny scene.

On one side of the fence, the toms, on the other, the hens. Both could catch glimpses of each other through the gaps in the fence and they were most upset at the separation. They stood there gobbling up a storm at each other as these wildlife Romeos and Juliets found the barrier baffling.

This is their main hangout area and they routinely hop this fence plus the end of it was only 10 feet away. On this morning though, they just couldn’t seem to grasp what needed to be done to be reunited. 🙂

Wow. That is one serious look from this dude, eh? 😉 

Despite the bad attitude, he did look really cool. His face was brilliantly flush in color and that iridescent plumage looked awesome. I managed to capture some crazy detail of him, right down to the hair on his head.

Taken on New Year’s Day, he is one member of a rafter of turkeys that hangs out in an area of suburbia not far from where I live. They have managed to do pretty well despite increased human encroachment. A new commuter rail line and the development it is spurring could spell trouble for them though.

Perhaps only a face a mother could love? 😉 

On New Year’s Day, a quick trip to the grocery store turned into a photo op for me. I take my camera with me just about everywhere and on this day, I was heading to the grocery store so I threw my bag in my truck.

After shopping, I took a detour through an area that has a nice open space and there I found the resident rafter of #turkeys hanging out in the neighborhood. They were very active, hanging out on an office building patio, walking on the sidewalks, giving some great poses, all with a suburban backdrop.

This particular tom was perhaps recovering a bit from too much partying bringing in the new year as he was quite tired.

Absolutely insane detail with my Canon EOSR5 camera and RF 100-500 lens. Taken in the Eastlake area of Thornton, Colorado.

Certainly you could have probably guessed what the subject would be for my photo today.

This handsome fellow is part of a rafter of turkeys that hangs out at a local open space. Coming home one day this past June, he was showcasing his awesome plumage and letting the other toms know who was in charge.

Certainly this year has been a hard one for everyone due to COVID and an election that seems to have only widened the divide in the nation. Here in Colorado, wildfires caused so much devastation this fall.

Despite all we have faced, I have to believe better days lie ahead on all fronts. The pandemic will, eventually, go away. Our nation will, I pray, remember that there is more that unites than divides us. The forests that have been burnt to the ground will grow again and our children and our children’s children will walk among a green landscape.

Yes it has been hard, and while it might be less obvious, there is much to be thankful for. I do wish all of you a very happy – and safe – Thanksgiving. God bless you.

Springtime means love is in the air and this handsome fellow was making sure the hens knew he was ready and raring. He would alternatively puff up and strut for the ladies then chase off a few other toms that were in the area.

It was a fun little ritual to watch and while their faces might not be much to look at, these guys really are cool looking.

This rafter of turkeys lives in the middle of suburbia at a local open space not far from where I live. Certainly it is a challenging environment for them and I do hope they continue to thrive as they are fun to see. 

A fun bit of action for #TurkeyThursday.

Last weekend I happened across our local rafter of turkeys and stopped to grab some pics as the toms were really putting on a nice show. While I got some good pics of them fluffed up and strutting, it was more fun watching them chase each other away from the ladies.

It was a cool little bit of action and I was kind of surprised at how fast they can move when they want. Women do have that effect sometimes.

This was a pleasant surprise yesterday afternoon. I had to run a quick errand and, as always, took my camera with me just in case. It turns out that was a good thing as I happened across a local rafter of turkeys that hangs out in suburbia not far from my house.

They were working their way through a field, nibbling on the foliage. There wasn’t a lot of action but this tom was kind enough to put on a quick display for me, showcasing its beautiful plumage. That face, well, it might not win any beauty contests but the colors are just awesome.

I think this turkey might have been a bit concerned about being dinner. 😉

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, from my family to yours. May you enjoy a blessed and safe holiday season!

He may not look like much to you and I but I bet those hens think he is absolutely to die for. 😀 

I happened across a rafter of these cool birds recently and while they didn’t care to get close, I managed a few decent shots.

Old Benjamin Franklin thought the turkey would make a fine national emblem writing to his daughter, “For the truth, the Turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America… He is besides, though a little vain and silly, a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his farm yard with a red coat on.”

I’m not sure about you, but I think we came up with a better choice.

It is a good thing Turkeys taste good because they sure aren’t much to look at, eh? 😀

This handsome fellow is one of a rafter of wild turkeys that hangs out not far from my home, right in the heart of suburbia. Last April I happened across them as light snow fell and was able to get a bunch of cool captures of them, including this one as one of the toms marched straight at me. Yes, they are ugly, but they are fun to watch.

From my family to yours, I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving and blessed holiday season to come!