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Mountain Moment: Wild Turkeys Fly Over Colorado Homestead 🦃

Living on a homestead means you get to experience moments that make you stop, stare, and occasionally drop your knitting needles. Today was no exception. I was in my craft room (deep in the zone, working on a new knitting pattern) when movement outside my window caught my eye. And no, it wasn’t a deer, a bear, or a wandering coyote. Nope, it was a flock of Colorado wild turkeys deciding it was time to show off their flight skills.

Wait… Do Turkeys Fly?

Yes, you heard that right. Wild turkeys fly. And they do it like they’re auditioning for Cirque du Soleil. If you’re still picturing them as the chunky, flightless butterballs of Thanksgiving fame, you are probably confusing them with their feral cousins. Our wild turkeys? They might hesitate to take flight, but when they need to cross a gulley or escape danger, they’ll startle you with their surprisingly skilled takeoff.

Nothing gets the morning coffee going quite like discovering a tree full of turkeys, their silhouettes framed against a Colorado sunrise. Honestly, it’s the kind of moment that makes you double-check if you’re actually awake or just living in a dream.

What Wild Turkeys Eat: Piñon Nuts, Insects, and More

So, here’s a little turkey trivia for you: Wild turkeys are not lazy. They prefer foraging a healthy diet of piñon nuts, insects, and native plants (we’re talking gourmet-level sustenance here). They’re also great at cleaning up the forest floor, scratching away pine needles and spreading seeds like the woodland cleanup crew they were born to be. And yes, they’ve got the best seat in the house for all their gourmet meals; those pines make the perfect dinner table.

Oh, and in case you didn’t know, they’re more than happy to raid my garden, too. You’ve never seen a turkey move so fast as when they spot a fresh batch of tomatoes or zucchini. They’ll swoop in, snatch up their prize, and leave nothing but a trail of feathers and empty plant pots behind. So yeah, they might be nature’s cleanup crew, but they’re also a little… too enthusiastic when it comes to homestead gardens.

Turkey Roosting: A Masterclass in Strategy

As the sun sets, these wild aviators head for the tallest trees they can find, nestling in for the night. And trust me, watching a 20-pound bird navigate branches is just as entertaining as it sounds. These birds know exactly what they’re doing. They pick the safest spots, tucked away from predators, while making sure they’ve got the best view for breakfast. Goals, right?

Wild Turkeys Are Our Neighbors: Respecting Wildlife and Nature

Living out here in the Colorado mountains means sharing space with all kinds of wildlife, including these wild turkeys. They’re not just passing through; they’ve set up shop. And honestly, they’re more dependable neighbors than some humans I’ve encountered. 🤫 They’ve chosen this spot because it provides everything they need: natural habitat, food, and protection for their little ones. Maintaining these environments isn’t just good for the turkeys; it’s a win for the entire ecosystem.

The Wild Turkey Aerial Show: A Reminder of Why I Chose Homesteading

It’s a quiet life here, where the hustle and bustle of cities feel a world away. So, when I see those wild turkeys take flight, it’s a reminder of why I chose this Colorado lifestyle. The sight of these prehistoric-looking birds (seriously, they look like feathered velociraptors doing parkour through the sky) soaring through the air fills me with awe. It’s a spectacular display of nature in motion.

A Daily Rhythm: Wild Turkey Flyovers and Crafting Inspiration

From my craft table, where I design knitting patterns and film tutorials, any movement outside the window is a potential wildlife encounter. These turkey flyovers are a welcome interruption to the stillness. They’ve become as much a part of my daily routine as the sound of my knitting needles clicking away. And every now and then, I get lucky enough to share these moments with my community, proving that inspiration is everywhere – even in a tree full of wild turkeys in Colorado. 🌿

Read More

🦌 Wildlife Tales from My Colorado Craft Haven

🦁 Living with Mountain Lions

🐻 Keeping Bears Out of the Chicken Coop

🌲 10 Tips for Starting Your Homestead: Simple Steps to Turn Your Dream into Reality

🏡 Cozy Lifestyle Basics: Mountain Living Edition

🦌 Embracing the Rustic Homestead Lifestyle

Mountain Living Essentials

✨ Never Miss a Mountain Story 

Join my newsletter for exclusive patterns, homesteading tips, and wildlife updates! 💌

A Colorado Homesteader’s Guide to Wildlife Coexistence 🏔️ 🦁

When you choose to homestead in the Colorado mountains, you sign an unspoken agreement: this is mountain lion territory, and you’re the guest. It’s a reality of rural living, and honestly? It’s one of its greatest lessons.

As a Colorado homesteader on 8 acres surrounded by dense woods and wildlife, I’ve learned a lot about sharing space with these elusive predators. Recently, I gained a deeper understanding when I discovered something remarkable: a mountain lion cache right on my property.

What is a Mountain Lion Cache?

For those unfamiliar, a mountain lion cache is essentially a food storage site. These big cats will cover their prey – often a deer – with leaves, dirt, or snow to preserve it for future meals.

Finding a cache near my home was both startling and humbling. The lion had dragged its prey across my driveway and into the woods, where it carefully stashed the carcass to keep it safe and fresh. It reminded me of how a human hunter might put a deer in the freezer to preserve it for later use.

This act wasn’t random; it was an intentional survival tactic. By moving its meal to a secluded spot, the lion ensured it could return to feed without competition or threat.

What’s even more humbling? This mountain lion has been patrolling this territory for years. This was it’s home before it was mine; my house was built just five years ago. In a way, I’m the newcomer here, and this lion is one of the true locals.

Why Mountain Lions Cache Prey Near Homes

Mountain lions require expansive territories to hunt and survive. My homestead happens to fall within this lion’s range.

What’s amazing is how stealthy they are. Despite having security cameras, I’ve only caught brief glimpses. The motion sensors occasionally trigger, but by the time the camera starts recording, the lion is gone. Their ability to move undetected is both eerie and awe-inspiring.

I chose to leave the cache undisturbed. While unsettling at first, this decision reflects my respect for the mountain lion’s role in maintaining balance in our ecosystem. This is their land too, and they deserve to be here.

I did make sure to warn my neighbors of the activity, so they were aware and able to take the necessary precautions (like don’t play in the woods after dark and watch pets more closely).

A Word of Caution: When to Call for Help

While mountain lions are naturally shy and avoid humans, there are times when it’s necessary to contact wildlife protection officials:

🛑 If a mountain lion shows signs of unusual behavior, like allowing itself to be seen, entering secured areas to get at pets, or hunting humans, it could certainly pose a threat.

🛑 If you find a cache and notice the animal lingering nearby during the day or acting aggressively, call for assistance immediately.

Wildlife should be respected, but your safety always comes first.

Living Safely in Mountain Lion Country

Homesteading in the wilderness means adapting to coexist with nature. It’s about more than beautiful views and cozy cabins. It’s a commitment to understanding and respecting the land and its native predators.

Mountain Lions’ Role in the Ecosystem

• 🦌 Deer population control: Mountain lions prevent overgrazing by keeping herds in check.
• 🌿 Healthy ecosystems: Predators like lions ensure balance in the natural food chain.

Practical Coexistence Strategies

• 👀 Stay alert: Be especially cautious during dawn and dusk when lions are most active.
• 🐕 Protect pets: Keep animals indoors or close to home during peak wildlife hours.
• 🛠️ Secure your property: Store trash and pet food properly, and keep outdoor spaces well-lit.

Tips for Mountain Lion Country Residents

• Install motion-sensor lighting to deter wildlife.
• Maintain clear sightlines around your property by trimming back dense vegetation.
• Secure animal feed and other potential attractants.
• Be extra vigilant with pets, especially in the early morning or late evening.

Find my Homestead Essentials shopping list (where you can find this security camera) on Amazon (affiliate link).

The Reality of Rural Living

Social media often glamorizes mountain life with filtered photos of snow-capped peaks, cozy fires, and idyllic homesteads. But real rural living is more than just aesthetics. It’s about embracing the unfiltered beauty of nature, including its challenges, like living with mountain lions.

Sharing space with apex predators like mountain lions is both humbling and rewarding. Their presence is a sign of a thriving ecosystem, and it reminds us of the delicate balance we’re a part of.

A Lesson in Coexistence

Instead of seeking to remove the mountain lion near my property, I’ve chosen to respect its role. The cache it left behind, and its decision to drag prey across my driveway to a hidden spot, was a reminder that nature doesn’t operate on our terms. And that’s as it should be.

Each day on my homestead brings new opportunities to learn and grow. Whether I’m knitting by the window, keeping an eye on my surroundings, or tending to daily chores, I’m grateful for this connection to the natural world. Even its more formidable inhabitants. 🐾

Living with mountain lions and other wildlife is authentic homesteading: no filters, no shortcuts, just respect for the land and all who call it home.

🦌 More Homesteading & Wildlife:

• Starting Your Homestead: Simple Steps to Turn Your Dream into Reality 
• Planning to Garden This Year? Start Here
• When Wild Turkeys Take Flight
• Keeping Bears Out of the Chicken Coop
•  Cozy Lifestyle Basics

🏡 Mountain Living Essentials:  

✨ Never Miss a Mountain Story 

Join our newsletter for exclusive patterns, homesteading tips, and wildlife updates! 💌