There is Beauty in this Beast

[Gary Fairhead]

On Friday I was at Mud lake when this lone wild Turkey came strolling down the path I was on. I had seen it this past Summer and Fall and its always alone. This is one very large bird and i got out of its way at one point. It has a face only a mother could love although the colors in the sace are quite something. Its the irredescence and colors in its rectangular like feathers that makes this bird shine. A real beauty!

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/turk.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/IMG_2040.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/IMG_2197.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/g2a/New%20Birds/IMG_2028.jpg

[MarkoPolo]

Those are just beautiful shots. I'm not sure I agree with Ben Franklin that it should be our national symbol, but I absolutely think they are under appreciated. Darn fast running through the underbrush, too!

[canonloader]

The tricks mother nature plays on us all are not funny. She makes this poor animal go through life unable to look in a mirror, yet makes it taste so good that everyone invites it into their homes for the holidays. ;)

[dancinec]

Lovely shot of our national bird (or should be) tasty too.

[bromm]

Was just thinking it looked like dinner.... Great shots Gary, they are more colorful than one might expect.

[Anthony J Howe]

Excellent shots with nice colours and good area where they live.
The first shot with the subtle coloured frame set's the shot of nicely.
The last one is an amazing good close-up, well done Gary.

[downywp]

Beautiful shots....ummm, did I really just say that?;) Nice light,pose and exposure, really shows the brilliance of their feathers:)

[PhotoJourno]

It seems awfully cold, I would not mind at all allowing him into the oven for a few hours, just until it got warm enough :)

How close did you get for these images? They are great. Thanks for sharing.

[KTollig]

Great work well done on this

[Gary Fairhead]

It seems awfully cold, I would not mind at all allowing him into the oven for a few hours, just until it got warm enough :)

How close did you get for these images? They are great. Thanks for sharing.


Thanks for the comment Mario and these are full frame or just about with the 400mm F5.6. I had to continuously back up and reposition to fit the bird in the frame. My 200 F2.8 was not with me and it would have been the better lens for these photos...mind you a 50 mm would have worked as the bird came that close...it acted more naturally though when at a distance of 20 or more feet.

Thanks as well to Mark, Mitch, Dennis, Trevor, Tony, downywp, and KTollig :D

[morehtml]

I've always liked the turkey in the snow pics. Good series!

[Reyno]

There sure is Gary...beautiful and well captured images.

[calicokat]

Great capture, #1 is my favorite

[Sindri Skulason]

Excellent series. I don't often see shots of these in the wild so...THANK YOU! Brilliant work as always Gary. :-)

[pttenn]

Sounds like it must have been half-tame! They run from me.
Karen

[Reigh Higgins]

Lovely shots Gary. Thanks for sharing.

[Gary Fairhead]

Sounds like it must have been half-tame! They run from me.
Karen

Karen..this bird has no fear and has been observed perched in the same tree as Great Horned Owls...or perhaps it has no sense;) Luckily for it, the Great Honed Owls have lots to chose from in these woods and the Turkey's size certainly helps it. Its a loner and probably is used to people who use these woods even in the Winter...some people are probably feeding it....I know one woman who feeds the 1000's of Black Squirrels there:rolleyes:

Thanks to morehtml, Reyno, calicokat, Sindri and Reigh for looking and commenting.

[AJ Montgomery]

Super series Gary! That is one large turkey for sure! It is lucky that you only shoot with a camera!

[asolie]

That's a big turkey. :) Nice captures!

[hTr]

Nice series, Color, detail and subject excellent Gary

[Samdiver74]

Great series Gary, Pic 1 for me though that is tack sharp.

[Gary Fairhead]

Thanks AJ, ALyssa, htr and Allan for looking and commenting:D

[HutchPhoto]

I like the snow and Turkey photo... Good Job!

*****

[philc123]

Great shots! super feather detail.:)

[dancad]

I know what you mean about it being used to people. I was there Thursday morning (day off!)and spotted it foraging on the forest floor. I sat on the ground about 20 feet from it to get it all in the frame and twice it came closer to me and I had to actually back up. The first time I wondered how close it would come...it was at an arm's lenght.

Good shots with the nice colours of its plumage showing beautifully.