Tom Wild Turkey displaying after a spring snow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
I found and photographed Wild Turkeys in the West Desert twice last week and shared images of the smoke phase hen that was in flock but hadn’t yet shared images of the tom turkey that put on quite a show the second time I photographed this flock.
The male Wild Turkey was displaying on a winding dirt road that goes up into a canyon with the fresh snow on the ground and in the junipers that line the road. The tom was displaying for some hens that were in a field just off of the edge of the road but I couldn’t see them while I photographed him.
Wild Turkey tom displaying after an April snow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
The tom turkey strutted back and forth on the dirt road and called a few times as he strutted. I don’t know why but hearing tom turkeys gobbling makes me laugh. He made me laugh. Because of everything that is going on in the world due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I needed to laugh and to feel normal for a little while.
Wild Turkey male displaying on a West Desert canyon road – Nikon D500, f8, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
As the tom Wild Turkey displayed he kept moving closer to the “mobile blind” and before long he filled my viewfinder and I could see all the fine details in his feathers, snood and his beard. I could easily see his spurs too.
Male Wild Turkey fanning his tail and strutting his stuff – Nikon D500, f8, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
I took hundreds of photos of the tom Wild Turkey fanning his tail, walking on the dirt road, strutting and displaying for the hens I could not see. And for those moments all seemed right in the world.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Wild Turkey photos plus facts and information about this species.
Clearly a well-groomed gentleman. Great shots. I wish I looked that good. Thanks Mia.
Great captures Mia!
He sure is handsome! I haven’t seen a strutting Tom for a few years, but I’ll keep looking
Ooh and ahh! He is glorious in all his feathered finery! If I were a hen, I’d be swooning for sure.
He is a beautiful boy. I will look at the photos on my computer when I am home. It is nice to get out and feel some what normal.
What a magnificent beast.
He is splendid!
The toms displaying & gobbling make me laugh too.
He is aneauty!
Wonderful!
Coool photoz mia