There are only a few rivers where I live. One of them (though it is really only a stream) runs through a large open field of tall yellow grass, that borders a copse of hardwood. The day was hazy, though drenched in filtered sunshine. There was a brightness so bright that a person had to squint. It was the kind of day where the morning mist burns off by nine, but the heat of the day has not yet found its strength.
I set out walking through the golden fields on that lush spring morning. It is my usual practice to spend time exploring a location before I begin to paint it, and this day was no different in that regard. I find that it gives me a better feel for the place, and helps me to settle into a painterly-frame-of-mind.
I followed the ‘river’ upstream, looking for a place to paint. It was an enjoyable walk and I took my time. In the words of John Burroughs “To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter; to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”
When I heard a disturbance in the grass, a large “something” thrashing about, I could only assume it was a deer. I was hoping it was deer, the sight of which almost always brightens my day. I was happily surprised to see a large Turkey (about three feet round) pop out of his hiding place instead. This was exciting! Turkeys are a common sight in the midwest, and I have seen a number of them, but none so close as this one. Nature!
Just last week someone had mentioned that Benjamin Franklin had wanted to make the noble Turkey our National bird. This person laughed, expressing his relief that it was not chosen, because “it’s rather a dumb bird”. I did not have any thoughts about it at the time, but now I could form an educated opinion on the matter. That’s what I was thinking about as I looked upon this somewhat formidable creature.
He didn’t fly away as I expected. Rather, he began cackling very loudly and flapping his wings and running around in circles. I smiled appreciatively- what a show! I gave it a wide berth, not wishing to interfere, but instead of running away he started running directly towards me. Okay, I had not anticipated this, but nature isn’t scripted after all.
I moved back to let him pass, and he promptly moved forward (towards me). I moved left, and he moved right. It was like a square dance, but much more bizarre and badly orchestrated. All the time it was cackling loudly at the air, and flapping his wings. I may have cackled once on accident.
I was so astonished at this turn of events that I really didn’t know what to do. It kept circling and cackling and flapping about wildly, no matter what I did! You never know what’s going to happen when you go painting. It was beginning to look like I was going to have to fight my way out. I was pretty sure I could take the Turkey, but I didn’t want to find out how I was going to do it. I thought about his sharp claws and enormous cannon ball shaped body.
I made loud noises and kicked at the air. (A grown man yelling and kicking and waving his hands at a Turkey smacks of the ridiculous, but I assure you it happened just as I am describing it). At this point I was relieved that the Turkey was not chosen as our National Emblem, and I was willing to back my beliefs with violent words to anyone who thought otherwise!
We were at a standoff when the Vultures arrived. I think their sheer numbers scared the old bird back to where he came from. Alone at last, I thought, well sort of… The ugly black birds circled a few yards overhead, close enough that I could hear them breathing.
I looked into one of their eyes (so cold of emotion).
That was ‘enough’. It was not worth it, I decided. At this rate I might get eaten by a deer, or something worse. I walked from the scene scratching my head, musing further on Burroughs’ words, certain that he had clearly never ‘been elated’ over a Turkey’s nest before, while being ‘refreshed by his morning saunter’.