Turkey time

November 14, 2011 PBS Wisconsin Leave a Comment

Watch Nature “My Life as a Turkey” 8 p.m. Wednesday on Wisconsin Public Television.

Ok, not the turkey time image that probably flashed before your eyes. You know, the one that includes cranberries and pumpkin pie. Unfortunately we have one more full work week before that time. I’m talking about Nature’s new episode “My Life as a Turkey” which is the feature on this month’s program guide. I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advance copy of the program and can tell you it’s the one episode of Nature you shouldn’t miss this season.

Though it doesn’t follow the same format as traditional episodes (the program is more of a narrative feature film, rather than they typical in-the-bush verité) “My Life as a Turkey” still fits the Nature genre in that it’s a film that takes you unbelievably close to wildlife. The wildlife in question this time is, well, turkeys as the film’s title implies. But these turkeys are unique in that they’re raised by naturalist and author Joe Hutto in the Florida woodlands. The film opens with Joe, who has conducted studies of imprinting (the act of becoming an animal’s mother) on other species just as he receives a basket of wild turkey eggs on his doorstep. This lucky gift changes the course of his life as he devotes the next year as mother to the chicks. Although the turkeys are raised by Joe, a human, they repress little of their natural behavior, which ultimately makes for an entertaining film, but also leads to a surprising, heart-wrenching ending as turkeys, like all children grow up and eventually go off on their own.

Consider making this episode part of your family’s Thanksgiving festivities by watching online. For now, enjoy the preview below.

 

Watch My Life as a Turkey – Preview on PBS. See more from NATURE.

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