The harem arrived today...

[LakeArenal]

[hedda_foil]

1. They remind me of The Handmaid's Tale, but what are they?

[LakeArenal]

2. 🦃 Turkeys. We are very non-threatening.

[Frustratedlady]

3. I have a hen nesting in the timber behind me...

She comes out every morning to pick at the birdseed that was dropped under the feeders. The male comes around every couple of days to do the same. The other day, I walked thru my dining room to see a huge blob standing outside the sliding glass doors. It was the male turkey in all his glory window peeking. He had walked up the steps and was on the landing. He stayed there for 15 minutes or so taking in the sights. When he left, he stepped down the steps like a 5 year old. Massive legs and feet.

I figure she should hatch around May 20th, so I'm keeping an eye out for the brood. Sources say she normally would lay 12-15 eggs but that only 10% make it to adulthood.

[LakeArenal]

4. You also must be very non-threatening. 🤫😊

[Frustratedlady]

5. I try to be. Our yards open up into a timber and, with the exception of mowing, no one disturbs her

No dogs or cats are loose, so there are no threats except wild animals. The only predators I've seen are 4 huge crows that check her out everyday. They have never come around before, but do now. They sit up in the trees for 15 minutes or so and then leave.

The pair checked out the area pretty thoroughly for several days before she nested. With all the bushes and grasses leafing out, she is quite concealed.