my neighbor made the news

After watching deer out of our windows for years, I have to conclude that they are pretty smart, and without a doubt can just be playing because it makes them happy.

I know a lot of folks used to attribute this self-awareness and emotion only to humans, but a little bit of close observation of any animal quickly dispels that notion. It takes a lot of smarts to make it on your own, out in the open, without a supporting civilization. It takes smarts to train your offspring where to go, where to rest, where to find food and what is edible in each season, and how to avoid cars and people. I couldn’t do it.

 

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To keep on topic, turkeys have appeared on US coins. 2013 treaty with Delawares dollar is an example. Cal

 

Dinner right in your yard. They’re everywhere around here

 

We have a lot of wild turkeys here in central Fla. But, I haven't seen as many this year as in the past. We also have a surge of coyotes so maybe they are getting some of the turkeys. We also have plenty of deer and bears.

 

Scene in front of one of our barns yesterday. Cal

 

We have a terraced front yard with a wooded area on the other side of the driveway. Before a couple of houses were added in back of ours, we would regularly have a flock of 20-30 turkeys use our front yard as a carrier deck. They would start near the front door, run to the first terrace and then fly up into the trees to spend the night. Mostly harmless, but sweeping off the turkey crap off the front walk wasn't fun, and a tom did get aggressive with a house guest once.