Tom Wild Turkey displaying in West Desert mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
The last time I was up in the Wasatch Mountains I found a Wild Turkey tom displaying next to some old farm equipment for the nearby hens. Just seeing that tom displaying got me excited because I love photographing these large birds any time of the year but even more so when the males are displaying for the females in the flock in the spring.
Tom Wild Turkey strutting in spring – Nikon D500, f8, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited or called in
I love to hear the tom Wild Turkeys gobble and to watch them strut to impress the hens. When I photographed this tom turkey last April he used the dirt road as his display grounds. The hens were just slightly to the south of where he had positioned himself.
Displaying Wild Turkey tom – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited or called in
There were other turkey toms in the flock of birds but this male was the only one I saw and photographed displaying for the hens in the road. There was a skiff of fresh snow next to the road from an early April snow storm.
Photographing the tom Wild Turkeys displaying is a visual and auditory delight. The clear weather and bright sunlight made it even more enjoyable that morning.
Smoke phase Wild Turkey hen in fresh snow – Nikon D500, f9, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited or called in
I included this photo of a Smoke phase Wild Turkey hen because she was one of the females that the tom was displaying for. I had found her the day before and taken a few documentary images of her. I was able to take better images of her right after the displaying tom moved off of the road.
I hope to see and hear more Wild Turkey toms displaying again soon.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Wild Turkey photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderfully beautiful photos Mia
I often forget how beautiful some Tom Turkeys are. That fellow in the 2nd pic is truly magnificent. Thanks Mia.
Ben Franklin did have a point! These gentlemen are gorgeous and I love the way the hen is so nonchalant about the whole thing. 😂 The recording on the link got my neighbor’s chickens all excited (a few are in my yard, foraging) and they started clucking back.
Hi Sweetie! Great photo’s the colors are so bright and Pretty! My oldest daughter and family had a gobble I teased and his face and neck got beautiful colors! He was so mad at me! Haha! I used to call them at Teresa’s,too They pretty much had a flock come out and fr0m 12 to 20 some years
Spring, when a young males thoughts turn to love – or lust.
What wonderful captures.
I saw two Wild Turkey toms displaying for two days in a row in a group of all males. I wondered if the two toms who were displaying were showing younger toms a “how-to” to attract the females. The two toms were definitely trying to outdo the other in their displays. My photos do not do justice to the beauty of the Wild Turkeys that your photos do.