What is it Wednesday: November 25, 2020

 

Can you identify what's in this photo?

 

 

Each Wednesday morning 

on Camp Lutherlyn's Facebook page

 the Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program posts a photo. 

 

 

Readers have all morning and afternoon 

to make their best guess about what the photo is. 

 

Around 6 pm LEEP provides the answer and a brief explanation.

 

 

Each week's What is it Wednesday post 

will also be posted on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

 after it is posted on Facebook,

sometimes with additional bonus information. 

 

In addition to bringing you current editions of What is it Wednesday 

on the Nature of Lutherlyn blog, 

we will be reposting old editions,

creating a What is it Wednesday archive. 

 

This photo was posted as a What is it Wednesday on

November 25, 2020. 

 

 

 

And the answer is....

 

 

 These bones are part of the skeleton of a wild turkey. 

The curved part sticking up is known as the spur, and tells us that this was a male turkey. The size and shape of a spur can also help determine the probable age of the turkey – this one has a slight curve, and is pointed but not sharp. Spurs that are shaped like this and are about 1 to 1.5 inches are usually found on turkeys 2 to 3 years old. (This spur wasn’t measured but looks like it’s probably within that size range.)

The spur is actually on the foot bone of the turkey, though it appears to us like it is on the lower leg. 

 

from:  https://sandyscottblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/414-in-studio-bird-anatomy-cont.html?m=0

The joints at the left end of the bone in the initial picture would connect to the toe bones. The joint towards the right side of the bones is actually the ankle – the next bone to the right is the lower leg bone (or drumstick). Above that would be the knee, then the thigh and hip. 

Whether  you will be enjoying turkey this Thanksgiving or not, and whether you are able to celebrate with those you wish to see or not, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful for all of you! 

Like and follow Camp Lutherlyn on Facebook, to see What is it Wednesday posts when they come out and have the opportunity to share your guesses in the comments!