" A Turkey Day "

While I was talking on the phone this morning to my oldest son, a large male turkey walked into my front yard. As soon as we finished our conversation, I stepped outside to take a closer look a it. It was calmly strutting around the yard, fluffing its feathers every so often. Now, since it did not flush, I knew it was not wild and must belong to my neighbor Joe. Just a few weeks ago he purchased about six or seven turkeys. During my last visit with him he told me one of his male turkeys had come up missing. So, when this guy showed up, I pretty much figured it was Joes. I called him and he said it probably was his and that it might follow me if I could walk it down our road to his house. He said the bobcats had been after his birds, so he had set a trap for them. As of yet, he had not caught any, so it stands to reason the birds might have had to make a hasty retreat to a safer place. Joe is only here on the weekends, so I decided to try and keep the turkey in my yard so he could come and get him when he gets here on Friday. I closed the gate and called Bill who is coming today to finish work on the bunkhouse and told him the gate would be closed. I ask him to call me if he had a problem and that I was at home trying to keep a turkey from getting out of my yard. Usually when the gate is closed during the day I am gone. I went out and threw some food around. I could tell by the way the turkey was acting that at this point, it was not going to follow me anywhere. It was not excited by my presence just cautious. The front porch feral cats were interested in the big bird but, had enough sense to leave it alone. Gypsy has not seen it yet because she is out in back of the cabin in her angel patch. She on the other hand, if she could, would pursue this big bird with gusto. She has had dreams of going after a big bird. She enjoyed the quail and pheasant, but what she has always wanted was a BIG bird. Her dreams of the sighting, the chase and the final catch have filled her mind for many years. She has obsessed over it. Now, Gypsy does not want you to think just because she caught a big bird that she would just tear it to pieces and cover herself with blood and guts while digesting some delicate morsels. She has respect for turkeys, and believes they have a place in the world. The only problem is that place is in her mouth after a fun, fun, chase and catch. She has no idea that a bird of this size could wreak havoc on the likes of her. When this scenario plays out in real life we will know for sure. Until then, Gypsy will continue to dream her dreams about the big bird that got away in a pursuit so close she ended up with a mouth full of feathers. When she is on her bed sleeping soundly and her feet and eyes are twitching and quivering she is in hot pursuit of this wiley bird, the one that got away. I hear the turkey calling, I wonder if Gypsy will hear it. As I look for her I see she is on a solid point. Oh my, what a day this will be, a turkey day.