Tom

For the first time since we've lived here (19 years) we have a resident Wild Turkey who visits every single day. We've named him Tom - not original since male turkeys are called toms, but it suits him.  Today he was in the yard preening and attending to his feathers which is how I caught him in this rather odd pose.  (See Extra for him looking more normal).  You can very clearly see his big "beard" in this shot, which helps to identify him as a boy (along with his size, much larger than the females).  

Usually when we see wild turkeys, they are in large groups of 20 or more in the dead of winter.  Tom showed up with three hens last winter and has continued to come around pretty much every day.  He still runs from us (which is good) but he also will approach to within 10 feet if I'm very still.  He makes a startling loud gobble and a surprisingly soft chuckle. He's a complex fellow, our Tom.

It's been raining off and on all day so no kayaking for us.  Instead, I made a trip to get some milkweed for my current batch of 9 big fat monarch cats.  They are all in their 4th or 5th instar phase now so eating non-stop.  And while I was scouring my own milkweed patch, I found a half dozen eggs which have all be collected and put in a container.  I've released 24 hand-raised monarch butterflies so far this year.  Another 20 or so to go before we call it a season and put the enclosures away.

Gearing up for another jaunt in our motorhome.  We leave Monday for 3 days - looking forward to it.

You know what's next... stay safe, continue to be kind and loving.

xo
Debbi