Rochelle Baker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter CANADA含羞草研究社橲 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含羞草研究社檚 rising star one recent morning.

含羞草研究社淚 was like, `Mom! Mom! Look there含羞草研究社檚 a wild turkey!,含羞草研究社� Maria told Canada含羞草研究社檚 National Observer含羞草研究社檚 reporter on scene.

含羞草研究社淵ou almost caused a car crash,含羞草研究社� observed Eden Joy.

含羞草研究社淚 didn含羞草研究社檛 cause a car crash,含羞草研究社� Maria said.

含羞草研究社淎lmost!含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 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含羞草研究社檚 yards, the ferry terminal, cafe and the small village strip mall 含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 tragic 含羞草研究社渨ings of freedom含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 20-acre homestead, Karen said. Bob often returns from his walkabouts of his own accord, especially when the farm含羞草研究社檚 blueberries are ripe, which Karen feeds to him by hand.

含羞草研究社淎nd, like any good man, he often comes home for dinner,含羞草研究社� she said.

Bob began to wander two years ago when he lost the last of his flock and his 含羞草研究社渓ady love含羞草研究社� 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.

含羞草研究社淲e didn含羞草研究社檛 want him getting in people含羞草研究社檚 gardens, because he could make a real mess, and we didn含羞草研究社檛 want people running him down or trying to catch him,含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檚 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含羞草研究社檚 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含羞草研究社檚 a community poll about how to make Bob含羞草研究社檚 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, 含羞草研究社淚 ain含羞草研究社檛 no Jive Turkey含羞草研究社�, or the sizzling bluegrass ditty, 含羞草研究社淕obble in the Wild.含羞草研究社�, with its catchy chorus:

含羞草研究社淲ith a gobble so grand / He含羞草研究社檚 the king of the island in this crazy land.含羞草研究社�

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, 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檓 glad he含羞草研究社檚 living his best life and sharing himself with the community.含羞草研究社�

Bob the Turkey has requested our project remain undisclosed until today!Bob含羞草研究社檚 band just dropped this track about his journeys on Quadra Island and the locals that love him. 鈫� technautica含羞草研究社攕ounds

Bob含羞草研究社檚 last confirmed sighting was the afternoon of July 21.

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