Feathered Vistors.2

In addition to the usual birdfeeder species, we also have larger feathered visitors. Wild turkeys abound in these foothills. This family had a morning route that took them through my front yard and into the vacant lot next door.

They look a bit prehistoric and not very quick on the uptake. They start out with a dozen or so hatchlings, which dwindles to about 3 or 4 by the time they get big enough to survive a year. But it's always fun to see them casually moseying through the tiny police department parking lot in my town and see the reaction to tourists who come through on weekends.

There are the usual scrub jays also. These fellows were hungrily clamoring for food from their parents, who were flying themselves ragged to feed chicks as big as themselves. Ah, parenthood...

And what birdfeeder would be complete without the regular vistations by another sort of feathery-tailed species? Argh!

Well, squirrels are just doing what comes naturally: eating what's easiest to get first!