Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Zelda, the Wild Turkey of Manhattan


Look closely at this photograph.  Yes, that creature walking in the middle of Water Street, in downtown Manhattan,  is a wild turkey! 


My husband took these photos with his blackberry phone camera early one morning last week, as he was on his way to work. The wild turkey he captured is the legendary turkey named Zelda, who has been living in Battery Park in New York City since 2003. 


According to a New York Daily News article, the wild turkey was named after Zelda Fitzgerald, wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, because the woman also was found wandering in the park after a nervous breakdown.  The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation web site states that wild turkey populations live in various parks across New York City, including Van Cortlandt Park and Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx, Inwood Hill Park in Manhattan, the Greenbelt in Staten Island, but independent Zelda may be the only one this far south in Manhattan.  Zelda is so famous she even had a segment on All Things Considered on National Public Radio.


Zelda obviously likes the excitement of living downtown. Here she is stopping a bus in its path!  I wonder if she wanted to hop on to catch a sale somewhere?  Hey, Zelda, wait for me!


I'm adding this post to Jenny Matlock blog's  "Alphabe Thursday" event.  This week's letter is "T" Please visit Jenny today to see links to all the other blogs participating today with their imaginative "T" posts! 




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64 comments:

Annesphamily said...

Pat this is a terrific T post for Alphabe Thursday! A wild turkey in Manhattan who would have imagined! Stopping traffic! Too funny! Thanks for sharing! Hugs Anne

Jo said...

fantastic .... she looks like quite the eccentric bird!!!

Joanne Kennedy said...

This is such a funny story and the reason she got her name made me actually laugh out loud!

Hugs,
Joanne

Anonymous said...

Oh wonderful! Love it. Can you imagine the hats she would buy?! Perfect name for her. What a dame!

Anonymous said...

O.K....now that is wierd. I can't believe Zelda has managed to live for a few years. It is a wonder someone hasn't killed her. I can see why it stops traffic!
Have a Great Day!
Love,
MArilyn
xxoo

Lorrie said...

Pat I absolutely love this! It's truly amazing to me how adaptable wildlife can be in urban areas all over the world. I bet Zelda has fans all over Manhattan who are on the lookout for her each day. How fun that your husband was able to see her taking a morning stroll.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Wow! This is a hoot and a half! The most unique of the T posts, that's for sure!

Zelda is my kind of gal because I often find myself wandering where I don't belong.....

Old Kitty said...

Hi

So Zelda just escapes her Battery Park home every so often and wanders round New York at will?

Does she return home by herself or is she taken there? :-)

Oh my goodness what a wild turkey!! Amazing! I'm like - well good for her, but I'd worry for her safety! But it looks like you lovely New Yorkers have taken her into your hearts and are looking out for her! Yay!

We love Zelda, oh yes we do! Long may she wander around safe and free!!

Take care
x

Jojo said...

That is hilarious and Zelda seems oblivious to the BUS coming at her!!! I hope she found her way to safety.

Unknown said...

She looks like she has a talent for surviving. I don't think I would tangle with a bus.

Debbiedoos said...

Zelda is daring....just not her nature to be a city girl!~ Funny though to see this. Have a great day.!~

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

I've heard of city chicken, buy city turkey?!

Kat said...

This is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. What a hoot! I love the bus stopping for her. And I can only imagine anyone seeing Zelda after a long night of clubbing - wonder if they go on the wagon after that?:)
Kathy

diane b said...

Thats amazing a wild turkey on the streets of New York. I don't think Zelda is long for this world if she keeps up these dangerous morning walks.

Catherine said...

Go Zelda! I love it!

Cathy

Tracy said...

OMG--that is HILARIOUS, Pat! Turkey running rampant in NYC--now there's a first... LOL! Hope she stays safe amidst all that traffic though... Thanks for sharing the fun. :o) Happy Day ((HUGS))

Sea Witch said...

Pat I adored this post. I love it when nature stops by and literally stops our world dead in its tracks. Nothing like a wild turkey named Zelda to get everyone to smile. Sea Witch

Grace said...

A NY Turkey! lol Turkey in the City the sequel! lol Grace xoxox

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Amazing!! That turkey has been living downtown for 7 years...rent free? You really have to wonder why it would choose such an environment. Great post, Pat..this is so unique.
♥, Susan

Claudia said...

While I am accustomed to waking up to turkeys in my yard in Minnesota, I woould be astonished to see one walking the streets of Manhattan. Definnitely a city turkey! I adore that she is named after Zelda F. Actually, I just love that they named her! Cheers to Zelda and her headstrong ways!

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Oh the poor THING...lost in the TRAFFIC! I hope someone saved her from herself!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I LOVE IT! This is even better than the wild parrots. Go Zelda.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Pat, Well----putting the words turkey and NYC's streets in the same sentence seems like an oxymoron... How can a wild turkey LIVE in the city??? Goodness Gracious.... That shocks me. But--it sounds like Zelda loves the city---and the city loves Zelda...

Cute post.
Hugs,
Betsy

Junie Moon said...

I love the idea that Zelda is so confident in her city walks she doesn't hesitate to confront buses and other traffic challenges. What a hoot!

laterg8r said...

love that the turkey is a new yorker :D

Unknown said...

Love it! We have geese that enjoy their power to stop traffic in our neighborhood. They are not as high falutin' as Zelda, though. She's a charmer for sure!

nanny said...

How funny....great pictures!
Zelda better be careful crossing those streets!!!!!

Jackie said...

lol Zelda in New York. Now that would make a good movie ha! You got people and taxis , why not a real turkey?

My name is Riet said...

This is hilarious Pat. I kieep thinking how can it stay alive in a city like NewYork. So funny.

A 2 Z said...

I'm giving you first prize for the most original entry for the letter T. When the letter Z comes on you can give us some fresh new on him/her. Thanks so much.

Anne-Marie

annie said...

Zelda is a city girl, that's for sure, strolling along casually in the street.
Just so cute. Hope she stays safe.

Jenny said...

Pat! What a totally terrific stop on Alphabe-Thursday!

I loved this! It made me smile! It made me realize that people are really the same...big city or small!

Thanks for linking up. You always help make this meme special!

A+

Viki said...

That is a totally cool Wild Turkey LOL. It must really like NY if it puts up with all the traffic I hear about. This was a Great T post.

Allie and Pattie said...

Ray and I are sitting here in hysterics! Neither one of us can believe that a cabbie hasn't hit her or a homeless person made dinner of her! How funny!
xoxo Pattie

Taste of Beirut said...

So funny! So New York! This is the most entertaining city in the whole world!

Vee said...

What a riot! And who'd ever think it. Zelda seems to have acclimated to this wild life in NYC. Always something interesting from you, Pat. :D

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

what cute Turkey on the street...
awesome t post!

GailO said...

This turkey is 7 years old?!...I hope she has a mate somewhere...this is such an adorable story:)

Apparantly the wild turkey population is exploding...there are flocks of them wandering the neighborhoods in RI...but Manhattan!

Annesphamily said...

I came back to say I saw a pic of you on Kevin and Amanda's blog, her photos from the LA /Bertolli Trip. You are a celebrity and I can tell everyone I know you! You look so sweet!

mub said...

I've seen ducks stopping traffic in slightly more rural areas, but a turkey in Manhattan is just awesome!

Just a little something from Judy said...

You just amaze me with the stories, interesting facts, and the history behind those facts that you present on a weekly basis, on this blog. T for turkey on Alphabet Tuesday...who would have thought you would choose one from right off the streets of Manhatten. How very interesting!

Unknown said...

That is so cute and funny! A wild turkey on Manhattan!
But I hope you haven't used this story too soon. Maybe you could have found another T-word, but what are you going to do for "Z". You could have used this post for "Z"! (Maybe you have more to share about Zelda Fitzgerald!)

Just a thought.

Best wishes,
Anna

Anna's Ts

Lisa@GrandmasBriefs said...

This adds a whole different dimension to the Turkey Trot marathon! Zelda's story would make a cute children's picture book -- I'm surprised it's not been done!

dianasfaria.com said...

I've never heard of this! What an amazing funny story!

Unknown said...

too funny!

myletterstoemily said...

well, i bet you had the best 'z' comment
by far!

what a fun story! it's a miracle it has
not been creamed by the taxis who
seem to always gun for me.

it means a lot to me that you visit my
blog occasionally, because to us, you
are 'the great one.' :)

Anonymous said...

wild urban turkey! maybe he was out shopping for his wife! something special from the city was in order after their heated fight in the woods the other day!

lol

have a great day!

ciao bella
creative carmelina

jeff campbell said...

Such a cool story...life in NYC...pretty cool...peace and blessings

Nadeen said...

Wild turkeys stopping traffic in Montana - now that's not unusual. Wild turkeys stopping traffic in Manhattan - unusual.

I wonder what NPR will do when she's dared a bus one too many times!

GardenOfDaisies said...

Oh this is too funny! A wild turkey who enjoys wandering around New York City!! :-) Zelda is a great name for her!!

Jeanne said...

Hi Pat, well, you just gave me the biggest laugh. I hope Zelda survives the NY streets. Tell your dh he did a great job capturing the moment.

I love this post.
Hugs, Jeanne

mrs. c said...

This is a terrific post, Pat! I always love to see what you will be blogging about. I went back and looked at passt posts and that country-themed wedding was lovely!! My daughter and I did all the flowers for my niece's wedding 2 weeks ago. That wedding was so unique!

Cottage Rose said...

OH this is such a great post,, poor Zelda,,, lol she sure gets around,,, wonder where she was going,,,, maybe she had a lunch date.... thanks for sharing,,, have a great weekend

Hugs;
Alaura

Kimberly said...

Sale? Did you say sale?

I can't believe your hubby took the photos with his phone. Glad he did, I would have never believed that a turkey was running lose in NYC.

Please, join us on "Mia Monday". Every week is a new theme, and it is always about YOU! Monday we are sharing five photos of ourselves. Any five...could be more or less. Come by link up and join the party every Monday at "Mia Monday".

Judy said...

What a fun story! Who would have thought...a turkey in Manhatten? Good thing you have your hubby on your team...gahering photos for your blog. Good job!

Unknown said...

what a funny place for a turkey....I love it....

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

amazing!!! and to think that Zelda has made it crossing traffic since 2003!!!

...why did the turkey cross the road?
Love this! And how cool that your hubby was able to get her on his camera phone!

Blessings & Aloha!

Killara girl said...

that's so funny...i knew there were 100 year old turtles but not turkeys!

RNSANE said...

Zelda definitely is a daring bird who doesn't anticipate a long life span! I can't believe she takes such risks. Perhaps the exhaust fumes have gotten to her and she doesn't even realize the imminent danger. Oh, well, she could easily have been Thanksgiving dinner and she's managed to survive that as well!

Trotter said...

Amazing!

Olga Poltava said...

How awesome!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Pat, that is just WILD! No pun intended. LOL!

We had a friend in Charleston who used to have a jogging chicken, but I think this tops that story! Although the chicken did have its own high chair and wrought iron cage. Her name was Mary Hancock. I love the fact that this turkey is named after Zelda. I share her birthday and love her work and her husband's, sometimes hard to tell apart since it appears he actually used some of her stories. ;-)

XO,

Sheila

Gracie said...

How funny!!!

Unknown said...

I met Zelda today! Near the staten island ferry! She has an entourage! Such a celeb.