Wild turkeys are large, incredibly gorgeous birds with layers and layers of deeply iridescent feathers.

The males are quite flashy looking and seem to know just how handsome they are.

Being quite vain, they will strut, preen, fan out their tail feathers and do just about anything they can to attract hens.  For their part, the hens are generally unimpressed by this display and just go about their business looking for bugs and grass.

Colorado has two different species of wild turkeys, the native Merriam which lives in mostly mountainous areas, and the Rio Grande, which was introduced into Colorado in the 1980’s in an effort to increase the turkey population in the state (which, by the way, was very successful).

I remember one time when I was still living in NY, I was hiking with my Boston Terrier, Blackjack.  He was off leash, and as we came to an open field, he spotted a turkey and took chase.  He was a fast little fellow and just when he thought he was going to catch that turkey it took flight. 

I will never forget the look on his face when that turkey got airborne!

Turkeys are very powerful birds with large wingspans. 

We raise Bourbon Red turkeys here on the ranch, and I have been whacked in the face with a wing more than once while trying to pick up a turkey that I did not having a secure hold on him.  And boy, does it hurt!

My good friend, whose house these pictures were taken at, was once afraid of turkeys. She would come to our ranch and stay as far away from our flock as she could.  But things change.  She now looks forward to her turkeys stopping by for a bite, and speaks with affection about Big Tom, who follows her around waiting for a treat.

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