Contact Me

Friday, March 28, 2014

Questions for My Readers--Turkeys and Plaintain

wild turkeys or domesticated?
click to embiggen

I had the occasion to take a business drive out through the country on a four-lane, divided highway. These turkeys caused many people to stop on the shoulder and take pictures. Sometimes, the Toms spread their tails. Their display was very small, nothing like the typical Thanksgiving pictures of turkeys. I think they are wild turkeys that are not so wild. What do you think?
 
I cropped this picture to get a really close view for you. 


 
 
Above is a photo taken from the shoulder of the road. You can see how far away they are. They were frightened by me when I got out of the car. When I got back in the car to take pictures, they were calm. 
 
 
two mystery plants
 
 
Is the large plant above a plantain? I think it is, but I included a page to id it. What is the tiny plant about about 2 o'clock? I had a persimmon tree in this pot. I suspect something ate the tender little trunk. 
 
I found a site that shows several kinds of plantain. But, I feel unsure of myself, unqualified to judge. Maybe some of you are more experienced or have a better eye for identifying from the page above.

what is the tiny plant?
 
Update: Double homestead in comments below identified the tiny plant as Henbit. Today, I looked at it again and it is about 7 inches tall and just like pictures of Henbit. 
 
Thanks for helping me.
 
Your turn
 
Can you id the turkeys or the large or tiny plant? Thanks.

12 comments:

  1. No, not plantain. Once you see it, you will always know it. Two types - long and broad. A big hit and favorite with my Mussie, Medicine woman. Get thyself a plant identification book - you will have fun.

    Home domesticated turkeys reside behind fence normally You are right; these are wild, very wild. Flocks I can see on distant hills but only during the no-hunting season, one is hard to spot when the guns are stalking them. Very intelligent, wiley creatures; but all God's creatures are smart, aren't they? Discounting a few humans - LOL. These are a different breed as we can observe at times! Ha, ha, ha; just watch the news!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sissy,
    There is plantain all over my yard that I recognize. Wonder what this could be. Thanks.

    I just knew these were wild. They were headed toward a little house where there were chickens, ducks, goats and other anmals, but the tail feathers were the reason I thought they were wild. You are so correct about intelligence. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The smaller plant is Henbit, it blooms in the Spring with small purple blooms. I'mnot sure about the larger plant, either way they are just weeds, PULL THEM OUT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. doublehomestead,
      Thanks for the name. I looked it up and found pictures where it is taller, and I recognize it. Since this grows in the wnter and hens like it, I may cultvate it...lol.

      Delete
  4. in my neck of the woods they both are weeds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristine,
      Since they are in my pot that held a persimmon tree, they ARE weeds!

      Delete
  5. Wild turkeys for sure...they are out everywhere. We have about 15 or 20 flocks roaming around here...I just love them. I think it must be breeding season...you can hear the gobbles!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynda,
      I forgot to mention their gobbles. I felt so lucky. That was the first time I can remember seeing wild turkeys. Thanks for the confirmaton.

      Delete
  6. Im not sure about the turkeys, but I'd try to catch a couple and fatten them up for thanksgiving..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jackiesue,
      Believe me, I wondered if anyone was going to do that. Since I cannot walk that far, and that was someone else's land, I dismissed the idea it could be my turkey...lol. I will show you where they are...lol. I can and do eat turkey year round, so catching and eating lots of them would work for me.

      I need partners for these endeavors...lol.

      Delete
  7. The turkeys, yes. We have them in the woods around my place. The plants. yes. They are weeds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Coffeypot,
      Do you ever have one of the turkeys for dinner? Weeds! Thanks. Now, if I could just find some rocket/arugula around here, a salad in the yard.

      Delete

Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.