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Turkey feathers
We’re always seeing feathers on the ground at Roundrock. Most of the feathers we find are from turkeys who are finished with them. I suspect that most of the other birds in our woods molt their feathers, but they tend to be smaller and more easily overlooked (though we do find some). But it’s generally turkey feathers we find. We see turkeys most usually in the spring and fall. This time of the year we tend to come upon them along our northern property line. Coincidentally, our neighbor has a large crop field just across the fence, and we often see them gleaning some grain from there. When they see us driving up, they bolt for the protection of the forest, which takes them directly across the very road we’re driving on. It doesn’t make sense to my advanced primate mind, but I suppose those turkey are obeying some command of their instinct to run for cover when danger threatens. There are a few large flocks in the greater area around Roundrock. We often see one of them — numbering close to twenty individuals — at the bottom of the hill after we lurch the truck down the gravel road off of the paved road. They’re always in this same spot. I suppose they could be collecting grit from the gravel for their crops. A large cedar just on the side of the road hides our approach until we are close to them, but they quickly bolt for the trees, some running across the meadow and others flying for the trees. I know it’s too much to expect for them to understand I am not a threat, and I try not to take it personally, but I have feelings just like everyone. We sometimes see another flock at the top of the ridge on the other side of the valley. This places them closer to our 80+ acres, and they may be the same birds we see in there on occasion. My neighbors do a lot to create food plots and habitat for birds, including turkeys and quail. I’m sure they do this so they can hunt the birds, and I understand the sport and the need for careful game management. If some of those birds happen to spill onto our land, I don’t mind. Missouri calendar:
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