Wild Turkey taking a break from feeding – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
After days and days of clouds, snow, and rain yesterday morning had mostly clear skies and sunshine so I went out in search of birds. The only birds I photographed though were some Wild Turkeys feeding in bales of hay on a ranch in northern Utah. Some of the hay is from last year and some of it has been in place for years, moldering away.
Wild Turkey on top of a stack of hay bales – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
At first a few of the turkeys seemed a little wary but they soon settled down and poked their heads into the straw to retrieve whatever it was they were feeding on. I had photographed turkeys feeding in these bales of hay back at the end of December.
Hay bales and Wild Turkeys – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
There were enough Wild Turkeys on the hay bales that I had a hard time deciding which of them to focus on, I tried at times to get two or even three birds on the frame. Mostly I focused on individual birds when I could.
Light colored Wild Turkey on hay bales – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
As I took photos of the flock of Wild Turkeys I noticed that there was a bit of variation of color in their body plumage, some were rather light colored.
Colorful Wild Turkey hen on hay bales – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
And others were more colorful. The angle of the morning light seemed to make some of the reds positively glow.
Colorful Wild Turkey and its shadow – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
On some of the turkeys more than others, the iridescence of their feathers seemed to pop. Since the turkeys were primarily focused on feeding I was able to focus on them.
Wild Turkey hen on a hay bale – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
The peacefulness of photographing the calm Wild Turkeys feeding in the hay would soon come to an end because of a noisy, diesel pickup truck with two men with cameras in it. They came up close on the turkeys from the north which put them at a bad angle of light because at this time of the year the sun is lower in the horizon and to the south. They were also photographing the turkeys with the loud, diesel engine still running.
One ticked off Wild Turkey – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
It didn’t take long before the turkeys became visibly disturbed, that was easy to see by looking at the posture of the birds. They had gone from calm to alert to outright stressed in no time.
Wild Turkey on alert – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
Some of the turkeys started flying off of the bales of hay towards the safety of the hills behind them.
Stressed Wild Turkeys – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light
In about the span of minute all of the Wild Turkeys had flown off of the bales of hay because of that noisy, diesel pickup truck being so close to them.
The driver of the pickup truck did apologize when he drove past. I will say this though, a little bit more etiquette would have prevented them from having to apologize at all. Turning their engine off might have calmed the birds down again and we all might have been able to photograph the turkeys for a while longer.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Wild Turkey photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful series of shots. Love the iridescent colors you captured. It’s annoying that your session got spoiled by the driver of the truck…but you still nailed some great pics. Thanks Mia.
These are definitely magnificent birds,,,their colors are so beautiful!!!
Sounds like the diesel was carrying some photography noobs. Even with the short timespan, you were able to get some marvelous shots. I especially like the little peek-a-boo of the turkey looking to the right in the 3rd shot. Gives me a giggle!
At first when I read the intro, I thought you had missed taking the shot(s) but glad you captured what you did. I like those iridescent highlights in the feathers.
Those poor turkeys.
And what complete ‘turkeys’ the photographers in the pick-up showed themselves to be.
Sorry about the other photographers. Many just don’t have experience or knowledge about how wildlife behaves. I also find that many animals will tolerate one car but when that second pulls up it is too much and the animals leave. I try not to pull up onto parked photographers in general.
The sun on the hay bales is very unique how the light radiates back on the birds. I have noticed variations in feather color too. Male vs female, age, feather wear?
I love the iridescence of the feathers of the Wild Turkeys. Great shots.
Beautiful turkey photos, MiA.