Autumn Wild Turkey hen on desert ranchlands – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The first photos I took with my newly refurbished Nikon D500 with a new shutter assembly were of this Wild Turkey hen foraging on desert ranchlands. At this point I was still trying to get the diopter set for my eyes after Nikon had changed it. When I took this image I was still slightly off on the diopter setting but the auto focus on my D500 worked just fine.
There were about 15 turkey hens and one tom in this group. Not too far away I spotted many more turkeys foraging on the foothills of the ranchlands.
I was paying attention to getting my diopter set correctly and didn’t take the time to identify the yellow wildflowers that were in bloom near this hen.
Fall Wild Turkey hen on desert ranchlands – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I liked this Wild Turkey hen photo because her eyes weren’t fully open which gave her a sloe-eyed look.
Since the beginning of autumn I have been hoping to photograph some fall Wild Turkeys so I was happy that I found this flock.
As I worked up these two images of the Wild Turkey hens I thought about the way we group birds and how I detest that Wild Turkeys, grouse, partridges, pheasants, quail, prairie chickens, ptarmigans, and chachalacas are grouped as “upland game birds” in field guides and on line which to me just seems wrong.
Having the word “game” in there is what bothers me. I come from a family of hunters and have no issue with people hunting as long as they eat what they hunt. The use of “upland game birds” is an American thing. Personally I think of these birds as upland ground birds because most of the species included in this family grouping forage on the ground. I wouldn’t have a problem with calling them upland birds either. No offense intended towards hunters but they were birds eons before they were game. Just a thought.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Wild Turkey photos plus facts and information about this species.
I also agree with you about the name. Upland ground-foraging birds would be descriptive enough for me. These are beautiful shots — I always enjoy watching Wild Turkeys.
A wonderful image – and I am in complete agreement with your reservations about the name.