Skip to main content

Gobblers & Bushytails

By JIM NIGRO

\

The turkey pictured above is roosted in a cottonwood tree normally patrolled by a little red squirrel we call "Meany," so named because he routinely harrasses the much larger gray squirrels. Photo was taken Tuesday afternoon. The turkey had a companion in a neighboring ash tree seen in photo below.

This turkey is looking at the camera.  Still no sign of Meany, and while he remained out of sight, a pair of gray squirrels thought it a good time to drop by.

 

Checking to see if the coast is clear.....

Eyeing up the remains of last fall's apple crop...

Apparently not bad!

 

Mardell Lamb

Great pics Jim! I have never seen a turkey in a tree. I've had to hit the brakes a few times as they trot/fly across the road. They're much larger up close than far away. And shame on "Meany!" Ha.

Apr 9, 2010, 6:42pm Permalink
Julie Morales

What a cute little squirrel!

Mardell, I think you are confused. Meany the Squirrel causes trouble with larger grey squirrels, not with the turkeys.

I’ve never seen a turkey in a tree before, either. Maybe Meany had something to do with that after all …

Apr 9, 2010, 7:26pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Thanks Mardell - turkeys come through frequently but thIs is the first time we've seen them in the trees right next to the house.

Julie, the squirrels are a treat to watch, especially when they try climbing down the small chain that holds the bird feeder. Come late summer, when the apples start falling, woodchucks and cottontails join the squirrels for a fruit feast.

Apr 9, 2010, 9:07pm Permalink
Barbara A Nigro

Hey Jim, We have turkeys on rooftops here. Wanna talk about a mess. The squirrel reminds me of a particular relative of ours that used to say, "go outside Jimmy, the squirrels are looking for nuts!" Oh the miracles of Spring......

Apr 9, 2010, 9:10pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Julie - While the squirrels and rabbits tolerate each other, the woodchuck is more secretive, waddling/skulking slowly across the grass until it comes to an apple. It then grabs the apple and waddles quickly back to the edge of the lawn where it uses day lilies as cover. There it sits on its haunches while holding the apple, rotating it with its claws while munching away.

Apr 10, 2010, 7:10am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Just an FYI the reds move in and eliminate greys by chasing them down and castrating them. I looked it up when I was told this and found out it's true. Watch Mr. Meany and see if he does this when catching a grey, I'm interested in directly hearing if this is true.

Apr 10, 2010, 8:18am Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Hi Kyle - For the last four decades, whether from a tree stand or looking out the window, I've seen red squirrels in close pursuit of grays. I've often heard of the "castration" theory, but I've never been witness to a red actually running down a gray.

Apr 10, 2010, 10:04am Permalink
Julie Morales

Kyle, how funny you called him, “Mr.” Meany. I had pictured him a Robert DeNiro type, tough but appealing. Now that I know what he’s really all about, I’m thinking Hannibal Lecter! I hope it’s just an ugly rumor.

Jim, I will look forward to seeing a pic of your woodchuck. :)

Apr 10, 2010, 12:58pm Permalink

Authentically Local