More Turkeys (5 images)

I went back again to visit my friends just south of Ottawa last Saturday to try for a few better turkey images.

I spent nearly two hours outside at -32 Degrees Celsius (~-26 degrees F) patiently waiting for the birds to approach the back yard of the property where they are fed every morning during the winter. By the end of the time the zoom on my lens was so stiff I couldn't move it anymore!

Because I was alone and unknown to them they remained wary but some, including the displaying males, approached within photo distance about 3 times. The males colours were much more bright and intense then the weel before.

Anyway here are some of the results. Cloned out a couple of OOF branches in 1, 3 & 4.

1. Tom with Jake (Thanks Tom) in background.

Great Images Stephen!!

The 'fan club' in #2 is really good Stephen. Much enjoyed.

I'd say your persistence was worth it, great shots. I love the colors.

very very nice series of shots!

Gary, Joe, Tom and John I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my images.

Good work, Stephen.

Excellent shots Stephen. I wonder how they would react to a turkey call?

Excellent shots Stephen... #2 is a beautiful composition.

db

Way to perservere Stephen...these are great...I particlarly like the group shot (face detection must have been working) LOL

Nice images, Stephen.

In #1, is that a hen in the background, or is it a jake?

Also, I find it interesting that the toms are fanning out this early. The toms here in WA won't be doing that for another 4-6 weeks. Has it been a mild winter in Ottawa?

I also find it interesting that they are the Rio Grande subspecies, and not Eastern Wild Turkeys. Were these birds the result of a repopulation attempt? Here in the area where I live, the Fish & Game Dept has reintroduced wild turkeys, but they've had to use whatever birds they can get, so there is a mix of Easterns, Rio Grandes, and Merriams. I would assume that the subspecies indigenous to your area would be Easterns, so it's interesting to see Rio Grandes there.

sparker1 wrote in post #9531429
Good work, Stephen.

Thanks Stan.

canonloader wrote in post #9531451
Excellent shots Stephen. I wonder how they would react to a turkey call?

Mithc I don't know but the owner of the property can do a preety good gooble adn after a few tries tehy all start calling back to her!

dbriz wrote in post #9531832
Excellent shots Stephen... #2 is a beautiful composition. db

Thanks DB

jcumming wrote in post #9532268
Way to perservere Stephen...these are great...I particlarly like the group shot (face detection must have been working) LOL

Thanks Jim. Actually I struggled to change my F stop fast enought to adjsut teh DOF properly in many of the shots. It was hard to make adjustments while wearing gloves and finger mitts on at the same time.

Tom Reichner wrote in post #9532300
Nice images, Stephen.

In #1, is that a hen in the background, or is it a jake?

Also, I find it interesting that the toms are fanning out this early. The toms here in WA won't be doing that for another 4-6 weeks. Has it been a mild winter in Ottawa?

I also find it interesting that they are the Rio Grande subspecies, and not Eastern Wild Turkeys. Were these birds the result of a repopulation attempt? Here in the area where I live, the Fish & Game Dept has reintroduced wild turkeys, but they've had to use whatever birds they can get, so there is a mix of Easterns, Rio Grandes, and Merriams. I would assume that the subspecies indigenous to your area would be Easterns, so it's interesting to see Rio Grandes there.

Tom you're right it's a jake! I know that turkeys were re-introduced about 25 years ago but I have no idea what sub-species was used. How can you tell that they're the Rio Grande sub-species?

Stephen,

You brought out all the glory and colors in these magnificent birds superbly Just an all around wonderful set...

The second picture really rocks though where the Gobbler just brought down his fan I think adds more to the photograph giving separation from the 2 that are displaying, I just love everything about it...

Dan

Thanks Dan. This is the first year that I've managed to get close enough to these birds and I wasn't disappointed. The biggest challenge for me was that the birds are in a pine grove behind my friends house and they are about 30-40 hens running around so trying to get the Toms out into teh opne is really tough.

Very sweet shots great job..