By Thomas J. Sullivan–
It’s time for grazing “Hens” and “Toms” to proudly strut their stuff to determine just who’s the most photogenic turkey in Citrus Heights — and who will prove to be the top prize winner in the Sylvan Old Auburn Road (SOAR) Neighborhood Association’s 11th Annual Turkey Shoot photo contest this year is anyone’s guess.
“We reluctantly skipped holding the contest last year, but this year we’re proudly bringing the contest back,” said Jayna Karpinski-Costa, president of SOAR. “It’s about time that our neighborhood turkeys get the recognition which they so richly deserve.”
The photo contest is open to all Citrus Heights residents, with winners competing for a chance to win a frozen Thanksgiving turkey to take home.
“We’re looking for imaginative photos with humor, originality and possibly turkeys in flight,” Karpinski-Costa said.
There are a few contest rules to follow: all turkeys must reside within the boundaries of SOAR, which is bounded by Sylvan Road to the west, Old Auburn Road to the north, Sunrise Boulevard to the east and Greenback Lane to the south.
Additionally, the picture must be an actual print (not a computer printout) and all contestants, or their representative, must be present at SOAR’s November meeting in order to win and take home the prize.
SOAR members will vote on the best turkey picture at their Nov. 25 meeting at the Sylvan Clubhouse, located at 7521 Community Drive, at 6:30 p.m.
Residents are welcome to submit more than one photo. Pictures will become the property of SOAR upon submission.
Karpinski-Costa said her neighborhood association is also bringing back a trivia contest with an opportunity to win “all the fixins” for a Thanksgiving turkey dinner.
Think you know the difference between a wattle and a snood? Brush up on turkey anatomy and you might ace the contest.
Here’s a few tips:
- A turkey does not have a comb on the top of its head. Instead, it has a fleshy growth from the base of the beak known as the snood. The snood is longer in males and hangs down over the male turkey’s beak.
- A turkey also has a wattle under its beak and fleshy growths on the head and neck called caruncles. Females have a single, much larger wattle, which is also known as a dewlap.
- And the next time you see a wild turkey and wonder how to tell the difference between a hen and a tom, look at the legs. Male turkeys have a special claw, known as a spur, part way down the back of the leg, just a couple inches above the feet.
Karpinski-Costa said she enjoys watching the large birds stroll through her neighborhood, which she said happens regularly. Her area is home to a “Turkey Crossing” sign on Highland Avenue, where turkeys have been frequently caught on camera just crossing the street.
See Turkey Shoot flier: click here.
