Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter CANADAB次元官网网址橲 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. islandB次元官网网址檚 rising star one recent morning.

B次元官网网址淚 was like, `Mom! Mom! Look thereB次元官网网址檚 a wild turkey!,B次元官网网址� Maria told CanadaB次元官网网址檚 National ObserverB次元官网网址檚 reporter on scene.

B次元官网网址淵ou almost caused a car crash,B次元官网网址� observed Eden Joy.

B次元官网网址淚 didnB次元官网网址檛 cause a car crash,B次元官网网址� Maria said.

B次元官网网址淎lmost!B次元官网网址� 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 heB次元官网网址檚 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 peopleB次元官网网址檚 yards, the ferry terminal, cafe and the small village strip mall B次元官网网址� 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 BobB次元官网网址檚 tragic B次元官网网址渨ings of freedomB次元官网网址� 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 NighswanderB次元官网网址檚 20-acre homestead, Karen said. Bob often returns from his walkabouts of his own accord, especially when the farmB次元官网网址檚 blueberries are ripe, which Karen feeds to him by hand.

B次元官网网址淎nd, like any good man, he often comes home for dinner,B次元官网网址� she said.

Bob began to wander two years ago when he lost the last of his flock and his B次元官网网址渓ady loveB次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淲e didnB次元官网网址檛 want him getting in peopleB次元官网网址檚 gardens, because he could make a real mess, and we didnB次元官网网址檛 want people running him down or trying to catch him,B次元官网网址� 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 heB次元官网网址檚 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 BobB次元官网网址檚 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, thereB次元官网网址檚 a community poll about how to make BobB次元官网网址檚 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, B次元官网网址淚 ainB次元官网网址檛 no Jive TurkeyB次元官网网址�, or the sizzling bluegrass ditty, B次元官网网址淕obble in the Wild.B次元官网网址�, with its catchy chorus:

B次元官网网址淲ith a gobble so grand / HeB次元官网网址檚 the king of the island in this crazy land.B次元官网网址�

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, B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 glad heB次元官网网址檚 living his best life and sharing himself with the community.B次元官网网址�

Bob the Turkey has requested our project remain undisclosed until today!BobB次元官网网址檚 band just dropped this track about his journeys on Quadra Island and the locals that love him. 鈫� technauticaB次元官网网址攕ounds

BobB次元官网网址檚 last confirmed sighting was the afternoon of July 21.

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