Wild Turkey standing at attention, Stansbury Mountains, West Desert, Tooele County, UtahWild Turkey standing at attention – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I’m always glad to see and photograph Wild Turkeys and most of the time I see them more than I can photograph them because they are often too far away but some days it does work out that I can have them in my viewfinder and click the shutter release.

Wary Wild Turkey, Stansbury Mountains, West Desert, Tooele County, UtahWary Wild Turkey – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 800, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Yesterday was one of those days when I not only spotted them but had them in my viewfinder too up in the mountains as they quietly foraged in a clearing in the woods.

An over the shoulder look from a Wild Turkey, Stansbury Mountains, West Desert, Tooele County, UtahAn over the shoulder look from a Wild Turkey – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 800, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While most of the turkeys fed it seemed that for a bit at least one of the large birds was keeping a wary eye out for any dangers that might appear.

Woodland Wild Turkey, Stansbury Mountains, West Desert, Tooele County, UtahWoodland Wild Turkey – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 800, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

At times the turkey were almost too close for my normal bird photography set up which is my 500mm lens and the 1.4x TC attached so I clipped a few feet on some of my photos of these birds.

Wild Turkey in front of a gnarly juniper, Stansbury Mountains, West Desert, Tooele County, UtahWild Turkey in front of a gnarly juniper – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 800, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I couldn’t tell what the turkeys were eating while they foraged but it might have been forbs or grasses because this photo showed grasses in the turkey’s bill.

Wild Turkey close up, Stansbury Mountains, West Desert, Tooele County, UtahWild Turkey close up – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 800, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I only had a few minutes with these Wild Turkeys but they actually made my day a bit brighter just by having them in my viewfinder.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Wild Turkey photos plus facts and information about this species.