When it comes to winter predictions, I've come to believe the critters know better than the Farmer's Almanac. I keep waiting for the other shoe, or Ugg boot to drop, but so far, so good.
I'm not crazy about watering once the irrigation system is off, but I much prefer it to any frozen stuff. I'll gladly drag my rinky-dink sprinklers around if the weather keeps up like this for just a few more weeks.
Have you noticed that the Canada geese are still lounging around parking lots looking like they don't have a care in the world? By this time last year they were long gone. Sure, they're doing those aerial maneuvers that resemble practice runs. But maybe it's more boredom than any urgency to migrate.
Meanwhile the wild turkeys are doing the opposite. They've gathered together in the huge flocks called congregations that signal their winter survival mode. It seems counter-intuitive to me that they group together in such large numbers. However they do this near a reliable food source and seeps or springs that stay open through the harshest months.
I'm no hunter but I went turkey stalking this morning. The turkeys always maintain a healthy distance from me and my camera, but I did find that the wind makes a difference. I managed to get behind the flock and into better light this time.
So what do you think? Will the geese see their shadows and finally fly south? Or do the turkeys know better?
