Over in Baraga, Donna MacIntosh continues to have an amazing array of visitors to her feeding station in the backyard. She recently captured these up close and personal photos of the Tom Turkeys that were visiting, complete with the color change of the head. Donna added that the "rough" looking skin on the head is called the "carunculate" skin and from what I could find, it changes color from the lighter white/blue/pink to the deep red for different "moods", such as when looking for a mate or when it might be nervous or unsure of its surroundings.

Perhaps someone with a bit more knowledge about Tom Turkeys can fill us in on the "whys and what fors" of turkey moods and habits. They may not be the prettiest bird at the feeder, but they sure are an interesting one!

Oooooh, some good eatin' there!

That is actually a jake not a tom. A jake is a younger male usually a bird born the year before. You can tell by the length of the beard and the length of the spurs (on the heels).

They are much better to eat than the older toms

Jurassic-looking creatures.

I love the turkey pics. I do not remember having
turkeys around here until a few years ago. They
are very interesting birds indeed.

I love Donna's wildlife buffet pictures! I share
her love for Nature, Bless you Donna!

Last week on a drive just outside of Toronto we saw what must have
been a good sized Tom and a group of lady turkeys. I love seeing
them in the U.P. in the summer.

I agree...some good eating right there...mmmmmmm...turkey

Coinneachadh ri Mr. Tòmas MacBird, maille r'a as fheàrr sporan agus aodach-breacan!

(I hope I got that right, or even close! 😈)

Thanks Janie...And Brion...interesting....I had
a flock in one day, and there was a bird
strutting back and forth, back and forth, while
the rest of the crew ate. He had a beard
down to the ground....I figured he was the "Big
Daddy" of the crew. The red head above was
strutting through for a few days all by his
lonesome...I figured Big Daddy musta kicked him
out for a little while! I gotta figure out a
new method of feeding them too..boy clean up
this Spring...P. U.

Donna...you need some new and improved "Turkey Poop-Bags". Makes clean up a breeze, like a fresh spring day in the mountains...and no "P.U". :-)

Wonderful photos. Thanks 4 sharing.

We have so many turkeys around our home out here in
Minnesota. I love watching them. I had to stop and
let them all walk across the road one day, lol. I
know they can fly for crying out loud. I see
pictures of dead turkeys being held by their hunter
all the time. I'm a softie. I hate to see dead
animals anywhere (unless it's a snake, of course).
I definitely could never have been a hunter, except
with my camera.

Great pictures!!!

Hey Alex...I just received a message from Donna for you, she says:
"Tell Alex I'm not doing turkey pooper scoopers! LOL. ;->