Wild Turkey hen in Wayne County – Nikon D810, f8, 1/800, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikon 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
Last month while I was out in the canyons of the Stansbury Mountains I hoped to see some Wild Turkeys. I know they are out there, I have photographed them before but as big as theses game birds are they can be difficult to find.
When I lived in Virginia it wasn’t uncommon for me to see them in the woods next to my home or find them scratching around in my garden with their young. I wasn’t always happy to see the turkeys in my garden, especially when the seedlings were just coming up.
Wild Turkey hen at a small pond – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikon 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
I enjoy seeing the turkeys though wherever I can find them. Some people might think they are a bit ugly because of their bald heads but I sure don’t.
I was pretty happy when I found this hen turkey in the Dixie National Forest in Wayne County, Utah last year. She was feeding near a small pond and was fairly cooperative.
First fall Wild Turkey tom – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
And then last fall finding turkeys in one of the canyons of the Stansbury Mountains of the West Desert was pretty exciting too but they weren’t as cooperative as the hen in Wayne County had been and all but one of them had moved into the junipers before I could even get my lens on them.
When I was up in the canyons the last time there were deer hunters all over the place so they might have pushed the turkeys deep into the woods. Maybe next time I up in the canyons I will get lucky and spot some of the Wild Turkeys that make their home in the Stansbury Mountains.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Wild Turkey photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful things.
And a turkey I would love to see. Much more than the clothed ones who pop up on the news, and the naked ones in supermarkets…
Great shots! I love to see them. My falconer friend, Jim, isn’t too crazy about them, though…says if one of his birds nabs one, all the others come running to beat up his bird and rescue their buddy! I think that’s pretty good!!! Jim doesn’t…..
“but as big as theses game birds are they can be difficult to find” .. and even more difficult to capture images as nice as these.
Beautiful photos, Mia.