Capturing the Majesty of Wild Turkeys Through Photography

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is one of the most iconic and recognizable birds in North America. When we think of turkeys most of us picture the domesticated turkey raised on farms for consumption. However the wild turkey is a fascinating creature with unique behaviors, stunning plumage, and an important ecological role. As a nature and wildlife photographer, I am always looking to capture compelling images of these remarkable birds in their natural habitats.

In this article, I’ll provide an overview of wild turkey biology, tips for locating and photographing them, and showcase some of my favorite wild turkey pictures. From strutting toms in full breeding splendor tohens quietly leading their broods through the underbrush, wild turkeys offer abundant opportunities forcreative and artistic photography.

Wild Turkey Biology and Behavior

Wild turkeysare large, ground-dwelling birds in the pheasant family Phasianidae. They are native to North America and inhabit open oak woodlands, mixedevergreen forests, agricultural areas, and even some suburban neighborhoods.

There are six recognized subspecies, with the Eastern Wild Turkey (M. g. silvestris) being the most numerous andwidespread. Adult males (toms) stand over four feet tall and weigh 20 pounds on average. They are adorned withiridescent, bronze-green tail feathers and can puff out their metallic feathers into a spectacular display whencourting females.

Female wild turkeys (hens) are smaller and duller overall, reachingjust over three feet tall and 10 pounds. But they share the same elegant shape and barred plumage pattern. Hens lay10-12 eggs in an inconspicuous ground nest, incubating them for 28 days. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nestshortly after hatching.

Wild turkeys are highly social, spending much of their timeflocking together. In spring and summer, males and females break off into separategroups. Young males form bachelor flocks while females band together to raise their offspring. Turkeys spendtheir days wandering and foraging on the groundfor plant foods, seeds, insects, and more. At night, theyfly up into trees to roost safely.

A unique feature of wild turkeys is the males’ boominggobble call and ostentatious displays. In spring lovesick males puff up their feathers, spread their tailsinto a fan, and strut around vigorously gobbling to attract females. The vibrating fleshy waddles and snoods(fleshy appendages) on their heads flush brilliant red. This courtship spectacle is a sight to behold for anynature lover.

Locating and Photographing Wild Turkeys

Now that we’ve covered some turkey biology basics, let’s discuss tips for finding and photographing these engagingbirds in the wild. Here are some suggestions:

• Focus your search in oak woodlands and mixed forests. This is prime wild turkey habitat. Also check fields and meadows that border suitable forest areas.

• Target areas near food sources. Turkeys spend much time foraging, so locating feeding sites like stands of oak trees, crop fields, or mast-producing trees like beechnuts can pay off.

• Listen for gobbles in the morning. Nothing gives away a male turkey’s presence like their loud, gravitas-filled gobbling. Target areas where you hear gobblers sounding off.

• Use a turkey call. For photographers staying in one area, try using a turkey call to lure birds within camera range. Take care not to overcall and scare them off.

• Sit quietly in a blind. Have patience and wait for turkeys to come to you. A ground blind helps conceal your presence.

• Look for tracks and droppings. Signs like these can indicate turkeys are in the vicinity.

• Photograph in early morning or late afternoon. This is when turkeys are most active. The soft, warm light at these times is also most flattering.

• Use a telephoto lens. A telephoto zoom like a 100-400mm or 200-500mm lens allows framing tight shots of distant birds.

• Move slowly and use cover. Approaching too fast will spook skittish turkeys. Use vegetation, rocks or terrain to stay hidden as you move closer.

• Shoot from a low angle. Getting eye-level with your subject creates more intimate, engaging turkey portraits.

• Capture action and behavior. Panning shots of strutting toms, feeding hen groups, or flight images provide captivating depictions of wild turkeys being wild turkeys.

• Use blinds/camo when necessary. But don’t overdo it. Wild turkeys’ keen eyesight will likely spot you anyway. Focus more on stealthy movement and using cover.

With fieldcraft, preparation, and properly handled equipment, youcan achieve gorgeous photographic records of these remarkable birds. Now let’s look at some stellar examples of wildturkey photography.

Amazing Wild Turkey Photography

Here I’ll share some favorite wild turkey images from talented nature photographers that inspire me. They showcasethe beauty, behaviors, and habitats of these iconic American gamebirds superbly.

Portraits

These intimate portraits capture the colors, patterns, and personalities of individual wild turkeys in all their glory. Theplay of light on iridescent feathers and expressive poses bring these birds to life on camera.

[Insert 2-3 example portraits of wild turkeys here]

Courtship & Display

Vernal courtship displays represent the pinnacle of splendor in male wild turkeys. These shots document full-throated malesstrutting their stuff to bluster and charm females. The puffed feathers, fanned tails, and flaming red wattles are simplystunning.

[Insert 2-3 images of male turkeys displaying here]

Females & Young

While the flashy males get more attention, quietly elegant hens and rapidly growing chicks are also delightful photographicsubjects. Their subdued plumage patterns perfectly camouflage them amidst the underbrush. Images of females guiding stringychicks record tender family moments.

[Insert 2-3 example images of hens and chicks here]

Habitat Shots

Placing wild turkeys in context within their ecosystems tells a more complete visual story. These habitat shots embedturkeys within the woodlands, fields, and forests they inhabit. We gain a fuller appreciation of wild turkeys’ lives byseeing them as part of their native environments.

[Insert 2-3 example habitat shots here]

Action & Behavior

Catching wild turkeys engaged in behaviors like feeding, dust bathing, flying, and more makes for dynamic, engagingphotos. Actions shots require patience and fast shutter speeds but pay off by capturing natural turkey behaviorscandidly. They transform still birds into living subjects again through photography.

[Insert 2-3 excellent action shots of wild turkeys in motion here]

Frequency of Entities:
turkey – 79
male – 13
hen – 7
photograph – 24
wild – 55
image – 15
plumage – 5
courtship – 4
chick – 3
photographer – 5
photography – 9
behavior – 3
action – 5
habitat – 4