Wild Turkeys

It is occasionally my custom to take a backroad or two on my drive to work. It was a beautiful morning and I had the feeling that there was something neat out there waiting for me. The photographer's endless optimism!

This is a pretty little road called Loveville Road. You've seen this road before, as it goes past the burnt cabin I have photographed on an occasion or two or three. The road also runs past a farm property with cows, where the light can be very lovely in the mornings.

But before I got to any of that, I rounded the corner and there, standing on the road, were two turkeys. I believe the taller one to be a turkey tom, or gobbler; and the smaller one to be a female, or hen. There was no traffic, so I pulled to a stop and took numerous photos.  Who knew I'd start my day with a couple of shots of wild turkey before breakfast?!

The soundtrack to accompany this image is a tune called Turkey in the Straw. It's a favorite among banjo and fiddle and dulcimer players, and is one of the oldest American folk songs. It's a sprightly little tune and I'm including two versions. The first is by Bill Monroe and Doc Watson. The second is by Cousin Emmy, from Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest.