Vernon Holt
Gone But Not Forgotten
I was a witness to a scene this morning that is a testimony to how adaptive wildlife can be when faced with hunger.
While traveling on US Hwy 515 in Gilmer County in a steady cold rain (8 am, commuting traffic heavy), I passed two large longbeards casually feeding on grass on the open shoulder of the four lane. They seemed not to be affected at all by the traffic zipping by.
After traveling about one half mile further, on the same shoulder of the hwy. was a young flock of seven or eight turkeys busying themselves with picking blades of grass. They too were oblivious to the traffic speeding by at 70 mph.
After traveling another half mile or so I was surprised to see still another lone, mature gobbler standing tall within 8 feet of the pavement.
Without hunger as a factor, these birds would have likely still been on the roost, hoping for a break in the weather before even flying down. Instead of this they were braving adversity by feeding in a very unlikely place which just happens to be the only source of forage within perhaps miles of their home range. This area is unbroken forest with no fields or pastureland available to provide diversity for the birds.
The light crop of acorns have long since been gone. There is nothing available for them since the earth under the hardwood canopy is covered with inches of dead leaves and with there being no greenery in sight.
These birds did not grow up in a subdivision in Alpharetta or Buford. They are mountain wilderness birds which by nature are very wild and wary. If one doubts this, try outsmarting them.
My assessment of this is that it pays tribute to the adaptability of wild creatures that have fallen on hard times. It is mid winter. No insects available to them, no acorns or soft mast of any kind. Their only source of food in this area is fescue grass along a busy 4-lane hwy where little wildlife is normally observed other than an occasional groundhog. Keep in mind that Fescue is one of the least sought after grasses and under normal conditions is not utilized by anything but cows.
Long live the Wild Turkey!! Just hope that no wild eyed poacher decides to take pot shots at them.
While traveling on US Hwy 515 in Gilmer County in a steady cold rain (8 am, commuting traffic heavy), I passed two large longbeards casually feeding on grass on the open shoulder of the four lane. They seemed not to be affected at all by the traffic zipping by.
After traveling about one half mile further, on the same shoulder of the hwy. was a young flock of seven or eight turkeys busying themselves with picking blades of grass. They too were oblivious to the traffic speeding by at 70 mph.
After traveling another half mile or so I was surprised to see still another lone, mature gobbler standing tall within 8 feet of the pavement.
Without hunger as a factor, these birds would have likely still been on the roost, hoping for a break in the weather before even flying down. Instead of this they were braving adversity by feeding in a very unlikely place which just happens to be the only source of forage within perhaps miles of their home range. This area is unbroken forest with no fields or pastureland available to provide diversity for the birds.
The light crop of acorns have long since been gone. There is nothing available for them since the earth under the hardwood canopy is covered with inches of dead leaves and with there being no greenery in sight.
These birds did not grow up in a subdivision in Alpharetta or Buford. They are mountain wilderness birds which by nature are very wild and wary. If one doubts this, try outsmarting them.
My assessment of this is that it pays tribute to the adaptability of wild creatures that have fallen on hard times. It is mid winter. No insects available to them, no acorns or soft mast of any kind. Their only source of food in this area is fescue grass along a busy 4-lane hwy where little wildlife is normally observed other than an occasional groundhog. Keep in mind that Fescue is one of the least sought after grasses and under normal conditions is not utilized by anything but cows.
Long live the Wild Turkey!! Just hope that no wild eyed poacher decides to take pot shots at them.
It was behind me and I coundnt get a shot.
