I’m sharing a few Wild Turkey portraits taken last week near a creek at Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in Comanche County, Oklahoma.
Wild Turkey close up at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/400, ISO 500, -2.0 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light
A small flock of turkeys was foraging in the grasses near a creek surrounded by a forested area. With the 800mm lens I had on the Canon R7, I was able to take quite a few portraits of these large upland terrestrial birds.
Through my viewfinder, I noticed that each turkey’s face, snood, wattle, and caruncles were different.
Wild Turkey portrait at Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/640, ISO 500, -2.0 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light
If I were able to hang around these Wild Turkeys on a daily basis, I think I’d quickly be able to tell them apart.
I wish I’d had more time to photograph this small flock, but a pickup drove back and forth between the birds and me twice, and the turkeys were starting to get a little uneasy.
Portrait of a Wild Turkey in Comanche County – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/640, ISO 500, -1.3 EV, Canon RF 800mm, natural light
I’m very glad I had the Wild Turkeys in my viewfinder for as long as I did. Later, I’ll share some full-body photos of these big, handsome turkeys. They’re more boldly colored than the turkeys I find out in Utah.
Until then, these portraits will have to do!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Wild Turkey photos plus facts and information about this species.
I absolutely love these shots! Each portrait is different but all are equally beautiful. I must be have OCD because, like vultures and condors, I see something, ancient, primal, dino-ish in these pics. And I agree with EC…your ability to pick out the differences in each bird is positively phenomenal. Thanks Mia.
Wow. I can totally understand that someone with your eyesight and observation skills would be quickly able to tell them apart.