LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – When I first moved to California from the East Coast, I remember thinking how amazing it was to look out my window and see wild turkeys wandering around the hills outside.
More than a decade later, I still love seeing them. And with turkey prices like they are today, they’re looking mighty tasty now, too!
Of course I’m not about the chase down a wild turkey for my dinner. But early residents of the East Bay felt rather differently.
Here are 8 photos of our wild turkeys to get you in the mood for Thanksgiving week. (Photos credit Thomas Smith)
It’s the male turkeys that get all puffed up like that, and have the iconic turkey look.
Turns out, they’re also the only ones who “gobble”.
Catch one close-up and without its feathers fanned out, and you’re looking at entirely different bird.
Our turkeys don’t stick to open spaces, either. They’ve very comfortable wandering around housing developments and suburban yards, too.
I remember living in a gated community in San Ramon, and having a flock wander in the gate. It took them weeks to figure out how to get back out!
Now we’re not to this season yet, but in Spring, you might get a glimpse of the cutest thing–a mamma turkey with her chicks!
Want to know more about how these turkeys ended up in our area? Here’s an article I wrote about it.
