All across America people annually celebrate “Turkey Day” in late November.

Where I live in south Salem, after the spring breeding season, almost any day can be “Turkey Day.” The local turkeys sort themselves into flocks, sometimes joining or separating. Every day they amble about in their confident style, shopping. Shopping for the next nibble. After a meal, they often settle in for a siesta.

Our garden is one of several in our neighborhood where they are comfortable for a snooze. Back from the street, tree canopy overhead, shrubs on all sides but a pleasant open lawn, soft to lie on.

The turkeys’ diet is rich and varied—animal, vegetable and mineral. The latter is the grit in the craw that allows them to grind up harder foods. They will eat from the ground, mostly. But turkeys will fl

See Full Page