Approximately four months ago, I shared the story about the discovery of a female turkey hen in my neighbourhood who laid a clutch of 12 eggs.
At then end of May, 10 eggs out of the original 12 hatched.
Two weeks after the poults (baby turkeys) hatched, we caught out very first sighting of them.
All 10 had survived their first 2 weeks out of their shells in the wild.
What I have learned is that wild turkeys have exceptionally acute hearing and sight. It is almost impossible to sneak up on these very intelligent birds. Allegedly, the "intelligence trait" is not shared with domestically raised turkeys.
In fact, I had to take these photos through a window, from inside my house. As soon as the turkeys see you they become hyper-vigilant and are tricky to photograph.
Here's the game, Can You Find 10 Turkeys In The Photo Below?
In total there are actually 11 birds, (if you count the mother turkey). Good luck! I will put a hint in the comments, because turkeys are also masters of camouflage and this is also part of the reason all that hatched this Spring are still alive.
I welcome your comments and I invite you to follow me on my journey...now that we're all counting turkeys for fun!
~ Rebecca Ryan