4.30.2007

do wild turkeys dream of electric sheep?

We have resident wild turkeys on the grounds here at east coast groovy headquarters. The past few weeks they've been very present and active ... it's mating season. According to the New York Conservationist website (we're in NJ but close enough):
Breeding occurs from early April through early June. During this time, toms perform elaborate courtship displays—such as strutting, fluffing their feathers, dragging their wings and gobbling—in an effort to attract hens.
This is what I witness most mornings when I head out to get the paper. It's quite the show!

Periodically we can hear their gobble gobbles, which are apparently part of the mating ritual as well.

What I didn't know - and a fact that I learned at dinner tonight but of course had to confirm on the internet - is that wild turkeys sleep in trees! I have yet to see one of my wild turkey friends in the tree with the droopy pom-pom type things. That would be quite a sight!

PS - (Kudos to anyone who gets the reference in the title of this post)

PPS - We're heading to our LAST Intercommunity Novitiate Classes tomorrow morning. My how time flies! So I'll check back in on Thursday.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Of course, it's a reference to the classic Phillip Dick sci-fi story "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" I am not know the Bible but I know my sci-fi canon!

Terry

Susan Rose Francois, CSJP said...

very proud of your sci-fi prowess my friend! :)

littlemissattitude said...

Absolutely..."Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep". It's the story "BladeRunner" was based on.

Then again, I mod on a fairly large science fiction/fantasy forum, so that's something I had best know. :)

Anonymous said...

When I was studying in Rome, the word was that scripture scholars liked science fiction and dogmatic theologians liked murder mysteries. So you may have a future in biblical scholarship, Susan!

Terry

Susan Rose Francois, CSJP said...

But I also like mysteries!!! What does that mean? :)

Anonymous said...

Ooh: Future Doctor of the Church, perhaps?? ;)

great sandwich! said...

PKD was quite the scripture scholar himself.

BTW--I hear NEXT is out (based on "The Golden Man"). It's probably terrible.

Garpu said...

Speaking of PKD, did you ever read Valis? There's an opera on it by Todd Machover that's pretty interesting. (Dated, but good.)

great sandwich! said...

Susan,

i actually own a recording of that opera of VALIS. if you want, I can send you a copy.

GS

Susan Rose Francois, CSJP said...

GS - that would be great if you could.

I also have to point out that I LOVE that it's a PKD reference that brings all the comments here on my little old blog.