A Wattle and A Snood

As I drove around the Elk and Bison Prairie recently, there were flocks of wild Turkeys foraging in the meadows. Most were off in the distance, but several were close enough to photograph. I cropped one image that caught my eye. I don't know why but a Turkey's brightly colored head has always been fascinating to me. His wattle, the fleshy skin that grows under his throat, is pink and bright red at the end. I read blood pools in the wattle when a Tom wants to attract a hen.

I read that Turkeys are a form of pheasant. I also read that the Tom's gobble while the females make a clicking sound. Also, that fleshy skin that grows above their forehead is a snood and also pools with blood when Tom is on the hunt. It appears from my photo, that Tom is definitely on the hunt for a lady. A new week is upon us, and need I say it, a new season is around the corner. Oh, Fall where art thou. Please bring us cooler temps soon. ENJOY!

Bobwhite Quail

One early evening last week I made a quick trip to Bernheim to see what flowering trees were in bloom. I found the Crab Apple trees were blooming in full force. Driving the main parameter road that runs the entire circumference of the tall grass meadow, I spotted an animal scurring across the road as fast as he could go. He was about 100 feet in front of my car.

I jumped out of the car and took a few photos knowing they would be poor quality as the little fellow was too far away. To my surprise, after several Google searches, I discovered this fellow is a Bobwhite Quail, not a Pheasant, which is what I thought originally.

I have never seen a Bobwhite Quail before so you can imagine my surprise at being so lucky to see this little guy. Oh, and by the way, he was not alone. There must have been six or seven of these little guys scurrying for cover. He was apparently the last one across the road. Have a great weekend everyone. ENJOY!