Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter CANADA香蕉视频直播橲 NATIONAL OBSERVER

A Quadra Island sensation recently snarled rush hour traffic, bringing two pickups and an e-bike to screeching halt at the four way stop, so young fans could get some one-and-one time with a local legend.

Bob the Turkey was out and about, eager for handouts.

Maria and Eden Joy Shoichate, aged 15 and 9, were giddy after their chance encounter with the small B.C. island香蕉视频直播檚 rising star one recent morning.

香蕉视频直播淚 was like, `Mom! Mom! Look there香蕉视频直播檚 a wild turkey!,香蕉视频直播� Maria told Canada香蕉视频直播檚 National Observer香蕉视频直播檚 reporter on scene.

香蕉视频直播淵ou almost caused a car crash,香蕉视频直播� observed Eden Joy.

香蕉视频直播淚 didn香蕉视频直播檛 cause a car crash,香蕉视频直播� Maria said.

香蕉视频直播淎lmost!香蕉视频直播� Eden Joy insisted.

Bob played it coy, taking his time before accepting the piece of granola bar offered to him and posing for a photo with his fans.

Bob is a star with a growing fan base who actively track his whereabouts and well-being, sharing sightings and gossip on the local Facebook page.

Though he香蕉视频直播檚 a wild breed, Bob was raised in a domesticated flock and is a long-time regular on the island circuit. Come spring, he turns up in people香蕉视频直播檚 yards, the ferry terminal, cafe and the small village strip mall 香蕉视频直播� his poignant throaty gobbling echoing across lawns, woods and down country roads.

But his fame soared to new heights this season after his owner Karen Knighswander posted Bob香蕉视频直播檚 tragic 香蕉视频直播渨ings of freedom香蕉视频直播� origin story on Facebook and made a public plea for people to be kind to their beloved wild turkey.

Known as Mister Turkey, aka Vincent von Stockpot the Third, before acquiring his stage name, Bob is a family member and welcome to return anytime to the Nighswander香蕉视频直播檚 20-acre homestead, Karen said. Bob often returns from his walkabouts of his own accord, especially when the farm香蕉视频直播檚 blueberries are ripe, which Karen feeds to him by hand.

香蕉视频直播淎nd, like any good man, he often comes home for dinner,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Bob began to wander two years ago when he lost the last of his flock and his 香蕉视频直播渓ady love香蕉视频直播� to eagles. Forlorn, each mating season, Bob escapes in a fruitless search for a girlfriend.

In the past, the Nighswander family, acting on intelligence from islanders, mounted elaborate recovery efforts to trap Bob and bring him home.

香蕉视频直播淲e didn香蕉视频直播檛 want him getting in people香蕉视频直播檚 gardens, because he could make a real mess, and we didn香蕉视频直播檛 want people running him down or trying to catch him,香蕉视频直播� Karen said.

Bob is incredibly strong and wiley, and his wings can be dangerous, she added. The turkey can be a real handful to catch, so this year his owners decided to let him do his own thing unless he caused problems.

Though he香蕉视频直播檚 vulnerable to being eaten by wolves or other wildlife, Bob has chosen to live his life on the edge, on his own terms, and the family respects his wishes, she said.

The Nighswander family is pleased people are treating Bob respectfully, because his well-being is very important to them, she stressed.

Karen is also delighted at Bob香蕉视频直播檚 folk-hero status. The turkey is a hit with tourists when he parades around the community green next to the cafe, where he reportedly is a great favourite of the pastry chef.

In addition to constant reports of his whereabouts, there香蕉视频直播檚 a community poll about how to make Bob香蕉视频直播檚 life more awesome.

Top suggestions to date include:

Capitalizing on his rising fame, Bob has also formed a band, inspiring a series of catchy AI musical earworms such as the reggae single, 香蕉视频直播淚 ain香蕉视频直播檛 no Jive Turkey香蕉视频直播�, or the sizzling bluegrass ditty, 香蕉视频直播淕obble in the Wild.香蕉视频直播�, with its catchy chorus:

香蕉视频直播淲ith a gobble so grand / He香蕉视频直播檚 the king of the island in this crazy land.香蕉视频直播�

Like any shining comet, Karen knows Bob, already elderly at 8-years-old, is destined to fade and pass into the heavens.

She thinks maybe she should commission a bronze statue of the beloved bird for his fans when he does.

Until then, she said, 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 glad he香蕉视频直播檚 living his best life and sharing himself with the community.香蕉视频直播�

Bob the Turkey has requested our project remain undisclosed until today!Bob香蕉视频直播檚 band just dropped this track about his journeys on Quadra Island and the locals that love him. 鈫� technautica香蕉视频直播攕ounds

Bob香蕉视频直播檚 last confirmed sighting was the afternoon of July 21.

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