Tag Archives: Wild Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

In the United States, we observe the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow.  Traditionally, it’s a time to celebrate, give thanks for the harvest, and to eat too much.

Winter Springs Wild TurkeyWinter Springs Wild Turkey – At Central Winds Park, not far from our home

For me personally, it’s not about the harvest, but instead about all the good things I have in my life to be grateful for.  No day goes by without me being thankful for my blessings.

I wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving and continued good harvests and blessings in your lives.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.  Now – go count your blessings!

©2015, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving 2013

Once again in the USA, we pause on the fourth Thursday of November to celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday. Families and friends gather, parades and football games preempt normal daytime television, large amounts of food are prepared and consumed, drowsiness ensues – and Turkeys throughout the land are relieved they’re not part of the feast.

A female wild turkey checks me out
“About 12 pounds, why do you ask?”   A female wild turkey watches me warily at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs

But seriously, this year especially I’m grateful for so many wonderful things in my life.  I hope all of you are as blessed as I am or even more so.   Spend a few moments contemplating the good things in your own life.  Pause and savor them.  Be thankful.  Cherish your family and friends.

And then – strive even harder to be one of the things that your family and friends are so grateful for.

Tom Turkey
Tom Turkey – Seen at Wekiva Springs State Park, near the trail to the kayak launch.  Another good place to see these large birds

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – go spend time with your family and friends!

©2013, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved

Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Many places in the world celebrate a thanksgiving holiday. In the United States, we pause on the fourth Thursday of November to commemorate our founders and give thanks. The “first Thanksgiving” took place in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts to celebrate a good harvest. In 1789, President George Washington declared it a national holiday. The date shifted over time until December 26, 1941, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a joint resolution of Congress moving it  from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday.

Thanksgiving dinner can be quite elaborate.  Turkey is the most common main dish, and Thanksgiving is sometimes called “Turkey Day”.  Bread stuffing, gravy, cranberries, and pumpkin pie are also traditional.

Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey – This Tom Turkey was posing in a field next to the road into Blue Cypress Lake. He was initially so still that we thought he might be a decoy. There were several more on the other side of the road.

Wild Turkeys were endangered in the early 1900s, but are common now throughout the US and in Florida.  I’ve even seen some in my neighborhood (in Central Winds Park).  They’re native to North America and the largest game bird on the continent.  In the 16th Century, the major trade route from the Americas went through Constantinople in Turkey before going on to Britain. They associated the birds with the country Turkey and the name stuck.

I’m a very fortunate person and have much to be thankful for.  I realize this and sometimes worry about the odds catching up with me.  At the top of the list, of course are my family and my friends.  What are you thankful for?

You can read more about Blue Cypress Lake in this post, and see more photos from there in this set on Flickr.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Now – be thankful, have a great day, and go make some photos!

©2012, Ed Rosack. All rights reserved.