“Coexistence: What the farmer does with the turkey – until Thanksgiving”
The view of Lake Jordanelle out my RV window. — Photo by Pat Bean
Adventures with Pepper: Day Four Continued
The zoom lens on my new Canon Power Shot was a plus in capturing this view of wild turkeys at Lake Jordanelle. — Photo by Pat Bean
I only drove 77 miles today, but then I only have to drive 75 miles a day to meet my goal of getting back to Texas in time for Thanksgiving.
That gives me plenty of time to start my day by writing, taking a hike with Pepper and then dawdling along the way, stopping to enjoy things like Devil’s Slide up Weber Canyon, the fall colors in the mountains and, of course the birds.
It was a good day for bird-watching. I saw ravens, crows, turkey vultures, a red-breasted nuthatch, magpies, house sparrow, belted kingfishers, great blue heron, a western tanager, kestrels, European starlings, barn swallows and house finches.
It was also a plus that my canine traveling companion, Pepper, was distracted elsewhere when I spotted the turkeys. — Photo by Pat Bean
I even got to see some wild turkeys at Lake Jornanelle State Park, where Pepper and I spent the night. Thankfully, I saw them while Pepper was sniffing a hole in the other direction and was able to snap off a couple of photos before we got closer.
The turkeys disappeared into the bushes as soon as they saw us.
Book Report: Travels with Maggie is now up to 48,803 words. I had time to do more but smelling the flowers got in the way. I no longer flagellate myself for letting that happen. Perhaps it’s because I know that I have more life behind me than ahead of me, and while writing is important to me, it’s not the only thing in my life.
The Wondering Wanderer’s blog pick of the day
Bean’s Pat: Wales’ Castles http://tinyurl.com/8exuruo From the era of King Edward, An armchair-traveler’s special.
Pat Bean's blog 
I’m envying you that view!
Wish I could bottle it up and send it to you Alex
> Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 15:55:02 +0000 > To: patbean@msn.com >
What fun, to get to travel along with you! What a great view you have — and it changes every day!
Thanks for following my journey Helen. The ever-changing view out my window is one of the best things about living in my tiny RV. It makes my small inside world as big as all outdoors.
> Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 20:43:37 +0000 > To: patbean@msn.com >
I love your list of birds, just rattling the names away,
So just for fun, here’s your Wild Turkey list:
Words of the Wild Turkeys
The ravens, never talk to the ravens. They’ll not be silent for long,
and the crows will crow at every word you try to write
while turkey vultures pick off your mistakes and the words you leave
behind, forgotten or by design, they are just waiting and watching.
But the red-breasted nuthatch, he will raise your eyes to the treetops,
colour so fast it will leave you behind searching the space it travelled through.
Magpies with their deep pockets and fast fingers steal your keys,
your car and the memories of a lifetime just to make a point.
The house sparrows and house finches club together,
comfort in hard times, fighting for the bushes with the European starlings;
and the barn swallows show you where to live a life of travel
following the summers drift North and South.
The belted kingfishers and the great blue heron bringing together
the sky and the water just so you now which is which,
while the Western tanager, singing cardinal music
is a hidden backdrop of colour and sound,
And the Kestrels wait, watching over the world,
The Windhover of old, waiting for the rabbit to run.
Safe Travels Pat,
Jim
What fun Jim, and so very personal. I feel honored by your words to my bird list.
> Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2012 21:03:19 +0000 > To: patbean@msn.com >