Wild vs Urban Turkeys

Photograph by Bob McCargar
Mattie on the right has her eye fixed on something tasty that's moving. I've a feeling that Esmerelda on the left is the current sentinel. Though not the sentinel of the day as is the case with some parrot species. Turkeys take turns moment to moment

Contributer Bob McCargar was just walking down a city street, minding his own business when suddenly what should he spy but two turkeys on the sidewalk. Here's what he saw--


"I photographed these Turkeys in a south Berkeley, CA neighborhood, about a mile south of the UC Campus. They were just sauntering down the sidewalk as if they were out for an afternoon stroll. They turned the corner and walked up the next block, following the sidewalk, seemingly unconcerned by my presence, but I didn't push my luck trying to get closer to them than 20 feet or so."



Once again we see what a gift urban wildlife is for us humans. We don't have to shoot them, or chase them down in order to get a good look at them. All we really have to do is to be reasonably polite. They are then willing to be reasonably polite back and allow us to gawk and take photographs without mentioning what boobies we are.

I do wonder how two big birds like that find enough to eat walking down the sidewalk. Though I do suppose there is a green space in which they spend time eating seeds, greens, and insects. Or they've developed a circuit, using the sidewalks, of visiting backyard feeders and back doors whose owners give handouts.


Here are the two Tom Turkeys, I saw today. You can tell by the quality of the photographs that I was more like 200 yards away from them, rather than 20 feet. Now keep in mind I'm that far away, and I don't even dare get out of my car. Still, George there on the right, has noticed and isn't the least bit happy about my presence.



While inattentive Tyler is scarfing down the fallen wheat from the harvested field, George is thinking very seriously about fleeing,

How do I know they're Tom Turkeys? They have beards. No, they don't have "beards" on their chins, they have feather "beards" coming out of the middle of their upper chests.

Don't ask, nowhere can I find anyone who's figured out why beyond it's a cue for maleness. Though it isn't unheard of for a very mature female to develop a chest beard too.

George heads for the woods, and Tyler looks up. Huh! Where's he going? (Note, you can see both their beards hanging from their chests. Boy I can't help but think they look alot like dinosaurs in this shot.)

It looks like Tyler goes over and attempts to get George to stay

That proving ineffective, Tyler comes back into the sun and seems to be preening.

Either that or Tyler has forgotten George is a boy, and is hoping a little tail display might be just the ticket to get George to come back. Then, Tyler looks up and stares in my direction. Does he need glasses? Has he just seen me?

The wheels turn...slowly. Tyler walks right, south, and seems to be thinking about the situation.

Either he's decided I'm okay, or perhaps more likely in Tyler's situation, he's just plum forgot I was there.

Donegal Browne

SWIMMING FALCON AND PALE MALE AND LOLA'S VIEW

Falcon photographs by Mary Malec
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marymalec/532945901/in/set-72157600318000524/
Posted by a Tulsa Hawk Forum member...
"I thought people might enjoy this unusual series of a peregrine falcon that fledged from the Oracle Software Building and landed in the San Francisco Bay. How often do you hear of falcons swimming? "

He stopped a couple of times, seemed to nearly sink but each time swam on strongly.

Thankfully there was a place for this exhausted fledgling to crawl out of the water. Once in water birds can "fly" though it for awhile until they run out of strength but they can't take flight again so there must be a place on the bank that is suitable for scrambling from the water or it's all over.

On occasion birds fall into the Model Boat Pond in Central Park. It has steep concrete sides, unless the birds happen to swim to the steps which is the only place they are capable of helping themselves out, they need human assistance out of the water or they'll drown. D.B.

By the time the falcon recovered, it was dark. Nia, working for SCPBRG (Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group) to assist the fledglings if needed, recovered the swimmer.

Did YOU ever dream of seeing Pale Male and Lola's view of Central Park? Here's your chance! Hustle on down to the CP Greensward Celebration and do it!

Here's a teaser from Central Park photographer Eleanor Tauber who captured some of the fun!

Eleanor said--"The balloon rides are still going on. When I was there at 7am it was fun seeing guys in business suits with brief cases going up before work!"

Bon Voyage!

Donegal Browne

P.S. And while you're at it, go and see The Public Theatre's free production of HAIR at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park. From all reports it's marvelous!

Tulsa Red-tailed Hawks! Kevin Camp Gives the Central Park Photographers a Run for their Money

All hawk photographs by Tulsa's Kevin Close
Bringing up a pellet and not just any pellet. This one is huge. In fact big enough to make one's back feathers curl. (Talk about perfect timing on Kevin's part.) Plus here's proof that this bird is eating well.


Does this Mocking Bird look like it's smiling to anyone else? While the juvenile has more of a mix of "deer in the headlight" eyes combined with "Oh no! Not again."

And the chase is on! But those talons may be hanging just in case the Mocker gets too pushy and lays itself open for a grab.

The parent is sitting, taking a break, working on a little foot hygiene...

When who should appear but one's progeny intent on stealing the perch and any possible tidbits as well.

I love this one! GERONIMO! A launch off the pedestrian bridge while no doubt vocalizing at full voice. And we no longer have to wonder where those artists got their stances for avenging angels.

Just look at this beautiful healthy juvenile. A little snake added to those urban rodents in the diet does add a fine sheen to one's feathers and a gleam to one's eyes.

Once again, those nasty second generation rodenticides rear their ugly heads in a park where Red-tails hunt rodents. A heads up on the article from Tulsa photographer Keven Close. He's not only good with a camera but a smart cookie as well.

Which reminds me, if anyone isn't doing anything right now, how about penning a letter to your "take your pick" governmental official about axing these second generation rat poisons or even rat poison in general and thinking about a little more sanitation.

http://www.thevillager.com/villager_240/parkhawlkscouldbe.html

HAVE A NICE DAY!

Submitted by Illinois's Catbird

Donegal Browne

P.S. The next two days are travel days but if I can find WIFI I'll get the blogs up and we'll keep cookin'.