Babs Young was out and about in the wilder reaches of Antrim County. She writes: As these boys strut their stuff, the girls don’t look too interested. But then what do I know about turkey sex.
When you come right down to it, really, what are the turkeys thinking? But wait—what can I be thinking? Since when has thinking had anything to do with it? Ah, Springtime, you make fools of us all.
Posted in: Babs Young photos
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
April 11, 2011
Okay, don’t get the wrong idea, because it isn’t that I’m interested in acquiring a turkey mate, but their strutting impresses me. I think the hens are playing coy. Surely they are impressed, too.
Gerry
April 11, 2011
I can accept that. I have to say, though, that they seem to me to be more interested in pecking away at the insects in the dirt. But that’s just me.
Belinda
April 11, 2011
Are they wild turkeys? They are pretty looking.
Gerry
April 11, 2011
They are–and hoping to get wilder. I think they’re attractive, although Miss Sadie and the Cowboy do not.
margie
April 12, 2011
The first spring after I moved up here, I looked out my window one morning to see a circle of male turkeys, surrounding a lone female. A big tom was STANDING on top of the poor hen! Just standing there, squashing her completely flat. She looked dead! I thought it was some kind of ritual killing. Demon-possessed wild turkeys? I threw on my robe and rain out there, swinging my arms and yelling, “HEY!!!!! Get outta here!!!”
Somebody told me later that it’s how turkeys mate. Glad I’m not a turkey!
Gerry
April 12, 2011
My ears are pinned back in wonder and astonishment. OK, I went googling and discovered a very fine post by a woman who actually raises turkeys in rural Kentucky. Her post on the subject is hilarious, and I recommend it—Let’s get it on: Turkey husbandry in the 21st Century—but for a full and complete description she refers you to Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which is unaccountably the only Kingsolver book I haven’t read. I am positive P.J. Grath would be happy to sell us all copies over at Dog Ears Books. Think of the book club meeting we could have.
Nye
April 12, 2011
It’s the same with Rooster and hen. I was taking pictures of the hen at my mother in-law’s yard and suddenly I saw a rooster jumped on top of the hen and pulled the feather from her head backward, it only lasted for a few second. I was dumbfound by the sight and found out later that they were mating.
Gerry
April 13, 2011
They probably laugh themselves silly at mammal habits.
Fee
April 12, 2011
Having seen turkeys up close at various animal-park type places, they really do look better from a distance. Actually, they look even better in a roasting tin, sans feathers and head, but maybe that’s just me?
Gerry
April 12, 2011
I am inclined to agree, although I do like to watch the wild turkeys. You think they’re just ambling along, but they have a way of flowing over the landscape like fog, and then they’re gone. You can follow all you like, but they will always find a way to disappear. OK, “you” really means “I.” “I” can lose an entire flock of turkeys in the time it takes to pull the little camera out of my pocket.
thedailyclick
April 13, 2011
You know what I’m thinking? “Mmmh, dinner!” 😉
Gerry
April 13, 2011
Yup. With a side of roasted parsnips.
thedailyclick
April 13, 2011
Nah… stuffing and sweet potatoes!