We live on one of four remaining acreages, clustered together in northern Urbandale - although we are ringed by newer housing developments.
Yesterday, as I returned from a trip to the hardware store, I began to slow...to turn into our driveway, when I noticed two deer at the bottom of the high embankment which runs from our yard and down to the street. The bank is very steep and hosts plenty of trees and plants that support our local wildlife, along with lots of other wildlife habitat on our property - so our deer are every-day regulars.. The deer exhibited a very alert pose, and I knew they were watching something, when suddenly a turkey hen exploded from in front of them and flew across the street, and in front of me (close call!). This turkey was just our 2nd yard-bird sighting of this species in nearly 22 years of residency, so it was a bit surprising. Beaver Creek flows just 1/2 mile to the north of us, so much of the wildlife finds its way to our yard from time to time, and I'm sure this is where this turkey came from. Meanwhile, our neighborhood vixen is back in her den (under one of our out-buildings) and should bring kits out, any day now. Our resident groundhog has also been poking his head out from under the chicken coop from time to time, as the weather has moderated. Ty Smedes Ty Smedes Nature Photography 4732 72nd Street Urbandale Iowa 50322-1148 www.smedesphoto.com phone # 515-270-9086 --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
