The Old Folks Home

[microchick]

Pretty sorry state for the national symbol to be little more than a carrion and garbage picker, but they are. Didn't a president promote the wild turkey as the national bird at one time? Now if you could cross the beauty and majesty of the american eagle with the tenacious intelligence of the wild turkey you'd have the perfect bird.

Except a Tom in full strut is a pretty magnificent sight!

 

[ronott1]

Pretty sorry state for the national symbol to be little more than a carrion and garbage picker, but they are. Didn't a president promote the wild turkey as the national bird at one time? Now if you could cross the beauty and majesty of the american eagle with the tenacious intelligence of the wild turkey you'd have the perfect bird.

Except a Tom in full strut is a pretty magnificent sight!

I think people say it was Benjamin Franklin that said that. I think it was either a joke or something he did not really say though

I found this:
The story about Benjamin Franklin wanting the National Bird to be a turkey is just a myth. This false story began as a result of a letter Franklin wrote to his daughter criticizing the original eagle design for the Great Seal, saying that it looked more like a turkey. In the letter, Franklin wrote that the “Bald Eagle...is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly…[he] is too lazy to fish for himself.”

About the turkey, Franklin wrote that in comparison to the bald eagle, the turkey is “a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America...He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage.” So although Benjamin Franklin defended the honor of the turkey against the bald eagle, he did not propose its becoming one of America’s most important symbols.

 

[microchick]

Always wondered if that was an urban legend.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Wonderful bit of history there thank you very much

 

[drumstick diva]

I've always wondered why a Bald Eagle. They are scavengers, there is nothing noble about them.

 

[Alaskan]

Yep.... I don't like the bald eagle either...

BUT, even if I could change it to something else... I am not sure what I would pick.

Maybe a Shrike. They hunt, and store feed for later so you get some of the militant, strong stuff.

But they are small.... So not really a good national symbol.

Peregrine Falcons are very cool and fast etc. But again small... not sure that portrays the right impression you want for a national symbol.

 

[Alaskan]

What about the Californian Condor!



So many fun impressions from that one!

 

[ronott1]

What about the Californian Condor!



So many fun impressions from that one!

Those birds are weird and ugly!

 

[Alaskan]

Those birds are weird and ugly!

That they are!

And quite graceless when trying to take off from the ground!

 

[bruceha2000]

I know, some have seen on other threads..our latest Great..a Great Granddaughter

What beautiful blue eyes! Stepsister's son and DIL had a baby boy yesterday. Guess that makes me a great uncle. That sounds OLD!

Goo is good tasting thank goodness.... I can no longer take in more than an ounce per sip. and I am full after four sips right now. So it takes me more than an hour to drink eight ounces.

That has to be a bit frustrating, especially if the goo tastes pretty good! Goo, you can't take just one sip.

I've always wondered why a Bald Eagle. They are scavengers, there is nothing noble about them.

Beautiful in flight?