It was such a silly moment. A yard full of turkeys where I hadn’t expected to see them. In all the years I’d lived around here, I’d certainly never seen a live turkey, but then I lived in a city — and who sees turkeys in cities (other than at watering holes and meetings, padumpum)
And then to do the research and find out that they’re in 49 of the 50 states. (Five sub-species in the US.) The same question asked of Google didn’t give a similar stat on eagles, but there are a whole lot fewer eagles.
Sort of an interesting thought to reconsider the Franklin suggestion that the turkey be the national bird. There they were, waddling around in a congress, adults and juveniles. And eagles have huge solitary territories. — This just in: Oh, Man… a myth… Franklin never suggested it. Better google late than never. Here’s an excerpt from his letter to his daughter. (find the article here):
“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
With all this injustice, he is never in good case but like those among men who live by sharping & robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our country…
“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. 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 & 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.”
Caught! well, better sooner than later! Better I should figure it out than you and have to say… hey… Ann…
But turkeys may have stuff to teach us, if only about sticking together.
One way or another, there they were… filled with Peace on a very hot afternoon. And they made me laugh as they waddled slowly, proudly away.
