The Society of Bird Bloggers (SOBB) has a few strict rules. One is that once a year a birdish blogger has to refer to, cite, or quote Emily Dickinson's "Hope is the thing with feathers."
And so ...
Male Wild Turkey display. Photo by Arlene Koziol
Sally and I spotted our favorite West Side flock of turkeys a couple of weeks ago. The fowl had not split up and several toms were practicing their displays. To which the hens showed no interest. Two toms stood out. One was huge; he towered over all the other turkeys. He felt no need to practice his romantic blandishments. The other was a small to medium-sized tom who was displaying to beat the band. He was missing feathers from all over his body with massive gaps in what should have been his lovely tail. Clearly he had had a close call with a predator. He was not giving up by any means and clearly hopes to spread his genes about later this spring. I'm rooting for him.
More hope appeared a couple of days ago when I watched a magnificent Bald Eagle settle into one of the nests monitored by our MAS volunteers. Just yesterday, Sandhill Cranes were calling and Wilson’s Snipe, one of my favorites, were booming over a wetland preserved by our friends at The Prairie Enthusiasts. And be careful as you bird or volunteer this spring; tick season is in full swing. A wood tick joined me at that prairie complex.
Female snapping turtle crossing the road. Photo by USFWS Midwest Region
One the drive home, I helped a snapping turtle across the road. Seems early for her to be nesting but perhaps the burst of summer has accelerated her calendar. Who knows what she'll think of the snow tonight and tomorrow! BTW, I assisted the turtle only after parking carefully, activating the warning lights, and proceeding most cautiously with lots of looks both ways. I tried handling her once and she lived up to her name. I finally had a use for my fishing net this spring.
We all need more hope these days, with or without feathers. Spring gives us a shot of it. Another source is volunteering on the land with friends from MAS or other conservation groups. Prescribed burning is the chief primary activity occurring but other cool stuff is underway—Earth Day, for example, will feature lots of tree planting events. Despite an aching back, legs, or shoulders (I really have to lose some weight), I never leave such an event without feeling better than when I arrived. Pitching in with good folks to help Nature and Spring along is a powerful tonic.
Take care,
Topf Wells, Madison Audubon advocacy committee
