What could they possibly have in common? My yard comes to mind at the moment.
It was the turkeys that caused me to grab my camera and step outside. They were headed around the front of the house. I caught the tail end of the parade and since pursuit is a doomed activity, I didn't follow them. I paused instead and looked around. That's when I discovered a family of Eastern bluebirds dining on privet growing at the edge of the yard.
What is glorious about this, I've seen a pair, or possibly more than one pair, frequent the yard to hunt and check out my two nest boxes, one near the house, the other lower in the yard near the woods.
After this pair foraged on berries, they moved about the yard selecting various perches for hunting. I captured the female hunting from the nest box near the woods. Dandy! The more she likes the nest box, the happier I am. Now whether selection as a hunting perch has any relationship to nest box selection, I have no idea. I suspect not. But I'm optimistic just because of the frequency with which I'm seeing them.
As I was watching the bluebirds and snapping images, I noticed movement in the woods. The flock of turkeys had circled around the house and into the woods. But something changed their direction and suddenly out into the open yard they came. Ah! Look at the displaying that begins as the Toms encounter the flock of hens.
I have been privileged to see Toms displaying twice this winter, but this was the most spectacular. The beauty of the morning light against their fanned tails as they puffed up to more than twice their size was magical.
Not a combination I would have expected, bluebirds and wild turkeys. But I will say, it made for a very satisfying morning in the yard! And when I looked through the photos later, I became intrigued with the Tom's faces. What a menacing expression they create by engorging their skin and enhancements.
I didn't quite capture that expression in my sketch, mostly because I think they are so much fun! I'll show you a portrait still in progress. There is nothing like the wonder and the intimacy of trying to capture a turkey's expression in watercolor!
Related Links:
More about the turkey's anatomy with sketch:
A Turkey Work of Art
Click here to see Wild turkey in the snow and learn about their unique
feather characteristics.
More about
Eastern Bluebirds. Watch for my upcoming article on the bluebird and Tree Swallow nestbox trail at Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge in the March/April issue of the
TN Conservationist.
What a great combo to have in your yard..they couldnt be more different.
ReplyDeleteAwesome sketch!
What a delightful time in your garden. Bluebirds and turkeys. I have never had turkeys in my garden. Probably never will since I live at the edge of town. How handsome they look all puffed up. Your sketch is coming along beautifully.
ReplyDeleteFabulous close-up shot of a turkey. I love the blue/black colors of the feathers and the red caruncles on his neck. Very handsome!
ReplyDeleteI showed my husband the wire contraption you have in front of the bluebird box hole, and we are both intrigued! Can you explain how to make one and the purpose/advantage? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteVickie, I'm loving that turkey watercolor.
ReplyDeleteSo much talent! I have trouble drawing a straight line.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki..Your Bluebirds are a delight to see. I probably will not see them for a few months to come...they have nested in my yard or years!!
ReplyDeleteTurkeys are funny fellows,and your photos of them are great!!
You have a great start on that face,but it doesn't look easy...such an ugly face... poor things!!
I am concerned for the Turkeys here with so much snow I don't know how they are surviving!!
The turkey shots are superb but I prefer the eastern blue bird as a bird.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! Those are some very well fed turkeys, by the way . . . Hope you have a family of blues move in safely. I look forward to updates.
ReplyDeleteVicki, I love the soft colors of your water colors. Kelly of Red and the Peanut does a really nice job also. I have not tried watercolors in a very long time. Perhaps I should!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see the bluebirds and the turkeys all in the same day. I hope the bluebirds hang around for you!
BTW, the turky in the photo looks mad but the turkey in your painting looks friendly. Perhaps that is the way your felt about him!
ReplyDeleteIncredibly beautiful photos, Vickie. How lucky you are to have a yard like that (and a very good camera)! I look forward to seeing your completed painting.
ReplyDeletePeggy, the contraption over the entrance hole is a predator guard which is a deterrent to snakes and raccoons that would prey on the eggs and young in the nest. It is made from "hardware cloth". In the next paragraph I am pasting instructions from a friend who makes these for a nestbox trail.
ReplyDeleteThe guards will not work on front-opening boxes.
The wire is referred to as "hardware cloth" and was purchased at Lowes. Make sure you buy the larger gauge wire - raccoons can easily rip off guards made with the thinner variety. Be careful where you mount them - the wires are mean.
Construction is as follows:
1. Cut out a rectangle approximately 14.5" x 8". I normally measure by counting the number of "squares".
2. Remove the pieces to form the mounting flanges and bend the wires on the shorter side to about 90 degrees. I recommend bending with the "roll" of the wire
3. Now roll the wire around a piece of 3 inch pipe and when the ends come together, hook the wires you bent in step 3 through the opposite end and squeeze them around.
4. Bend the wires on the longer edge and the flanges to 90 degrees.
You will need some three-quarter inch fender washers and half-inch screws to mount the guard.
A similar guard is available from Wild Birds Unlimited.
Beautiful photos of the Eastern Bluebirds and the Wild Turkeys Vickie. I'm sure the bluebirds will stay and nest in those nice nest boxes you have there.
ReplyDeleteWhen breeding season comes around they will stake out those nest boxes by sitting atop them just as the female is in your photo.
I am vexed by this constant urge these folks seem to have with killing Sandhill Cranes. I think some people believe that because we belong to the human race we can use and abuse our surroundings to whatever extent we feel necessary. It irks me to no end.
I will be writing letters and passing on the information. Thanks for the update.
...loved the post, and I love the expression you've captured in your watercolor...it's sly and fun!! I'll get a letter going for KY...thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteYou lucky thing to have Eastern Bluebirds in your yard!! You have some cute photos of them! Great Turkey shots and sketch, as well!
ReplyDeleteAn amazing post, Vickie: I always learn so much from my visits to your blog.
ReplyDeleteLove the bluebirds! I keep hoping to get a pair here. Great turkey shots and art. I just saw some turkeys yesterday....such interesting birds.
ReplyDelete