Rondeau Ric

This white tailed deer wasn't amused with the wild turkeys eating the seed under the bird feeders. It tried to drive the turkeys away. While he chased this one three others came in behind the deer. We ended up with four deer and five turkeys and an assortment of birds. And one squirrel. The photo was taken through the Wonderful Wildlife Window.

To all my non Canadian friends it is Canadian Thanksgiving on Monday. The traditional meal is turkey with all the fixings which vary by family. Hope everyone has a great day and lots to be thankful for. Ric.

A road less travelled , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. This has been a hard winter at Rondeau. The snow keeps coming and the temperatures stay well below freezing. Being a natural area they don't like to use salt to clear the roads due to the damage it causes. Of course being this cold salt wouldn't work any way. Below -13c it doesn't work. Nature brought it and nature will take it away. In the mean time just drive carefully and watch out for turkeys flying down from the trees. They can ruin your day if they come through your windshield.

Hello. I'm up here. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Normally we see wild turkeys on the ground, once or twice flying down from a tree. This is the first time I've photographed one in a grape vine. Obviously looking for food, it was having a hard time hanging on to the vines. Eventually he flew down and walked away. Actually it looked like it feel out of the tree, but I'm sure it would say it had done it on purpose. .Meleagris gallopavo

Snow turkey , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Obviously the wild turkeys don't migrate as they aren't strong flyers, but it does seem odd to see them walking around in the snow. This hen walked through our yard this afternoon but wasn't interested in the seed under the feeders. Turkeys were extirpated from our area and were re-introduced about 12 years ago. They are thriving and can be seen throughput the area in places like woodlots and corn fields. Photo was taken through the Wonderful Wildlife Window. Meleagris gallopavo The Wild Turkey and the Muscovy Duck are the only two domesticated birds native to the New World. When they need to, Turkeys can swim by tucking their wings in close, spreading their tails, and kicking.

Wait for me, wait for me, , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. While going along one of the trails at Rondeau Provincial Park we came across a flock of turkeys. As we got closer they moved away but one lagged behind. When it realized it was separated from its fellows it half flew, half ran to catch up. Scientific stuff Meleagris gallopavo The Wild Turkey and the Muscovy Duck are the only two domesticated birds native to the New World. When they need to, Turkeys can swim by tucking their wings in close, spreading their tails, and kicking. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wild_Turkey/lifehistory

Morning commute worsens at Rondeau , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Reports indicate that some drivers are being real turkeys about sharing the road.

Checking out our front yard. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. We had a group of seven turkeys come into the front yard the other day. They stayed a few minutes then something spooked them and they flew up into the trees. Turkeys were reintroduced to our area about 10 years ago and seem to be doing very well. Always fun to watch them fly. Taken through the kitchen window. Meleagris gallopavo

Thank you for being my friend. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. There was a raptor show Saturday at Rondeau, sponsored by the Friends of Rondeau. This turkey vulture was the last of the birds to be presented. It kept putting its wing around the handlers neck as if it was giving her a hug. Actually the bird lost a wing in an accident.