Quote from the Ben Franklin letter to his daughter.

"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

I would have to agree with the Little Vain and Silly part. One would think that the Turkeys in my yard are someones pets......but they are not. We have a pretty large lot that has a small stream leading down to a more wooded area. They wander up and down the stream in the morning and afternoon. Sometimes there are only a few, like the two that were on my patio, and other times there will be 10 to 15 at one time.

Picture below is from Oct 2009

We have had a very interesting sighting of a Mountain Lion in Southern Platte County, MO. I live in Southern Platte County!

Joe

http://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/platte-county-sighting-confirmed-be-mountain-lion