What better book to read after Thanksgiving than one about Ben Franklin’s favorite bird (he thought the turkey was a more worthy choice for national bird than the eagle)? The success of wild turkeys in recently claiming the Keweenaw as their home has not gone without notice, and I, for one, am interested in understanding our new neighbors. This book, a very personal account by naturalist and wildlife artist Joe Hutto offers his experience rescuing wild turkey eggs about to be plowed under on farmland, raising the hatchlings, and ultimately releasing them back to the wild. Hutto immerses the reader in the art of seeing nature deeply. His book was inspiration for the PBS Nature documentary, “My Life as a Turkey,” which is about him and his imprinted chicks.

Photo copyright Dave Allen 2010.