There was a pleasant consistency in seeing the eponym and its namesake in quick succession. First seen was the Wild Turkey; next was the Turkey Vulture. The vulture was named for the resemblance of its featherless head and dark plumage to those of the turkey.
A flock of Wild Turkeys was foraging in someone’s yard.
Soon afterwards, three Turkey Vultures were seen flying over open fields as they looked for carrion. This is one.
This is another.
I am always surprised and delighted to see you capture both these birds in your intrepid photography. Surprised because in 29 years of living on the West Arm, I never saw a Wild Turkey or Turkey Vulture! Granted, for about 10 of those years I probably was too young to notice… but after my first encounter with a Turkey Vulture (on Texada Island) I promise you, if I had seen one I’d remember it. Have they enjoyed a resurgence since my youthful Kootenay days?
Marie, in fairness to you, I note that the Wild Turkey is not native to this region. It began flowing over the area in the 1960s and 1970s as a result of its introduction in Washington State. They are now part of the life of the West Arm. The Turkey Vulture is probably a different story. It is not partial to the forested country of the West Arm. The ones I showed here were soaring over the more open country to the south — but, I have seen them on the West Arm a couple of times.
Ah, that explains it. Looks like the Wild Turkey has done well in it’s new habitat; they wander on lawns now! How lovely.