To get the fires burning... I thought that I would share a "still" from a segment filmed last spring that includes this magnificent Old Spring Monarch. Living in a very heavily hunted area, this old bird is one of those "True Kings" that never had to go far out of his way to be with a hen as his status in the area made him the dominant b oss. With spurs in the neighboorhood of 1-1/2 inches in length you can almost bet that he has pretty much seen and heard everything in the last several years. I luckily caught him late in the season within the last week, during one of the very few times that he did`nt have his usual harem of hens with him. Listen closely,and you can just imagine hearing that characteristic deep "pulmonic huff" and those massive wings dragging the ground as he inches closer and closer... It won`t be long now!

Edited by - old gobbler on 01/22/2002 13:20:56