Capturing the Essence of Turkeys in Photography

As a wildlife photographer, I’m always looking to capture stunning images of animals in their natural habitats. Lately, I’ve become fascinated with photographing one of America’s most iconic birds – the wild turkey. Trying to get a great photo of these sometimes elusive, majestic birds has proven to be quite a challenge!

In this article, I’ll discuss my experiences trying to photograph wild turkeys, the equipment and techniques I use, and share some of my favorite shots of these remarkable birds.

Why I Love Photographing Turkeys

There are a few reasons why I enjoy photographing turkeys so much. First they are uniquely American – turkey images evoke thoughts of pilgrims, Thanksgiving and autumn in the minds of many people. They are also one of the largest birds found in North America, so they make striking photographic subjects.

I’m drawn to their vibrant red, white and blue heads and wattles. When a tom spreads his tail feathers in a mating display, it’s a spectacular sight to behold. Their iridescent bronze and brown plumage shimmers in the sunlight. They also have very expressive faces that show off their curiosity, wariness and intelligence.

Finally wild turkeys can be challenging to photograph well. They are easily spooked so the photographer has to be stealthy. Finding them in ideal settings and capturing their interesting behaviors takes time and patience. The reward of tracking a flock and coming away with dynamic turkey photos makes it worthwhile.

Equipment I Use to Photograph Turkeys

Photographing skittish birds like turkeys requires specialized equipment and techniques Here is a rundown of the gear I use

• Telephoto lens – A long lens in the 200-500mm range allows me to photograph from a distance so I don’t disturb the birds. I use a 300mm which gives me enough reach.

• Tripod – A sturdy tripod keeps the camera steady when using a long telephoto lens and slow shutter speeds. I need sharp shots when photographing moving subjects.

• Camouflage – I wear camo clothing or a ground blind to conceal myself so I can get closer to turkeys without them fleeing.

• Remote shutter release – This allows me to trigger the camera shutter without touching the camera, reducing camera shake for crisp images.

• Patience – My most important asset! It can take many hours of sitting still and waiting to capture wild turkey photographs.

Best Techniques for Photographing Wild Turkeys

Through trial and error, I’ve discovered some proven techniques for photographing wild turkeys:

• Scout locations – I research areas known to have large turkey populations and visit during ideal times like mating season. State parks and wildlife refuges are a good bet.

• Focus on the males – Toms are the most colorful and photogenic, and put on the best displays. I frame tight shots of their vibrant heads and puffed-out feathers.

• Capture interesting behaviors – Foraging, displaying, interacting and other active behaviors make for dynamic images. I anticipate and prepare for these moments.

• Be invisible – Stay quiet, still and concealed to avoid startling them. Use cover or blinds to get close without being detected.

• Watch the light – Early morning and late afternoon sun produces the best lighting. I backlight to illuminate feathers.

• Fill the frame – Getting as close as possible with a long lens creates intimate portraits showing every detail.

My Favorite Turkey Photographs

Now I’ll share a few of my favorite turkey pictures and how I got the shots.

Displaying Tom

This is one of my best photographs of a tom wild turkey displaying. I caught him in the peak of mating season puffing his feathers out to court females. The vibrant red wattle hanging from his neck and his iridescent bronze feathers shimmer in the warm light. I used a 400mm lens and slow shutter speed to blur the motion of his fanned tail feathers.

Strutting Tom

Patience paid off when I captured this tom strutting through an open meadow one early morning. The soft dawn light illuminates his striking plumage. Shooting from a low angle at his eye level made him look majestic. The shallow depth of field thrown the background softly out of focus.

Turkey Family

I came across a flock of hens with tiny chicks learning to forage in the underbrush. This image shows the tender family interaction as a watchful mother turkey leads her young. I used a wide aperture to isolate the pair and blur the busy chicks behind them.

Tom Portrait

This is one of my favorite turkey portraits. I slowly approached this tom through some bushes until I was about 15 feet away. I love the details the close perspective reveals – his curious expression, vivid red wattle, and the colors and textures of his iridescent feathers.

Photographing wild turkeys has been an exciting challenge that has honed my wildlife photography skills. I’ve improved at tracking, approaching and capturing images of these elusive birds by employing the right gear and techniques. I find turkey to be amazing photographic subjects – quintessentially American birds whose coloring, behaviors and environments lend themselves to dramatic imagery. I look forward to photographing them during every mating season and coming away with more stunning photos.