I learned a lesson from a juvenile bush turkey.

We have a bush turkey mound, with an adult male tending the eggs.  It’s nearing the end of its useful life, but we have juvenile bush turkeys still hanging around the yard.

It’s like having a flock of dinosaurs wandering the property.  Only – they are not like a flock, they are very individual and solitary.  These fierce animals seek out insects and seeds, and compete with each other for resources.  The adult will chase the young ones away, and watching their behaviour has been like observing an ancient mystery.

The Turkey is the giveaway bird, providing graciously his meat and feathers, eggs, and in the case of the Australian bush turkey, leaving a huge fertile compost mound for the garden.

I am happy watching the turkeys as they hunt their beetles and worms as they forage on our wooded property.  I was meditating in the garden when I saw a young turkey fiercely walking around seeking nourishment.  I marvelled at this ancient creature of instinct, and delighted in watching him, when –

He flopped over on his side!

Was he okay?  I held my breath.  He was on his side, just beyond clear sight – I could see his speckled breast.  When I saw it, I realised that, on this cloudy day, he was in a ray of sunlight, pointing his breast to the sun.

Then, just as I was ready to release my breath, he jumped up and went back to his fierce survey of his domain.  The sun went back behind the clouds.

He took a 2 minute sunbath, exposing his belly.  I’m thrilled that he felt safe enough to do that – I’m also thrilled that he reminded me how important the sun is to our energy.  His brain isn’t very big, but his instincts were true – we all need the sun for energy.

And he reminded me – with his giveaway medicine – that self-care includes many things, and is essential to our growth, health and life.