Earlier this week I posted a photo of a Wild Turkey taking off vertically. Today we go horizontal.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This one is taking off from the same stack of straw bales the previous turkey flew up to. But it’s a different turkey (I think) and this one’s going down, not up. I had multiple opportunities to photograph turkeys taking off from this stack but they always launched at least partially away from me. This is the best takeoff angle I got.
Turkeys are so big and ungainly, on some level I’m always surprised that they can fly. To paraphrase my eclectic good friend Jim DeWitt (Wickersham’s Conscience):
“It’s the Dancing Bear principle. The wonder isn’t that the bear dances well; it’s that the bear dances at all. The wonder isn’t that a turkey can take off nearly vertical; it’s that a turkey can fly at all.”
If you live in Utah and you’re into photographing or just observing turkeys you’d best get to it fairly soon. Utah’s spring turkey hunt lasts for the entire month of May so they’ll be spooky and more difficult to approach during and immediately after the hunt.
Ron
I turkey hunt every year. We look forward to that meal . It tastes better than the domesticated turkeys. It has a dark mear Brest that tastes great baked in lemon pepper sauce.
Always fun to see Wild Turkeys frolicking and doing their thing. I miss seeing them at the retreat center I used to go to. Surprised about any spring hunts with the potential for a “Bambi’s Mother” incident.
After all the rain we’ve been having, my front lawn is awash in the tiny purple flowers of Redstem Filaree (with a few pops of yellow dandelions thanks to my neighbor’s yard — it’s salad time!).
Marty, in spring, when it hasn’t been too dry, Redstem Filaree is common in some areas of Antelope Island. With all the moisture we’ve had we should have a bountiful crop this year..
Nice picture of the take off of the Turkey. Don’t see that very often. Had a wild group of them around our home many years ago. I did not know they could fly till I spotted them roosting in a tree in our back yard.
Thanks, Trudy. One would almost expect them to be unable to fly. Or at least unable to fly as well as they can and do.
Pretty heavy wing loading. I cannot picture them soaring overhead unless they were Turkey Vultures. Connecticut has a 4 week Spring season beginning in late April. Only Toms and Jakes (bearded birds) may be taken. Sparing the females has been good for the population.
Kenneth, I’m not sure which turkeys can be legally “harvested” in Utah.
Nice story and photo, Ron. Turkeys are interesting creatures, I usually come across them in places I least expect. I found a nest once and the hen slinked off through the brush, I suspect, hoping not to be noticed. I experienced an unexpected vertical take off one day while walking through the woods, I didn’t know the bird was there and it waited until I was about 2’ away before launching with an almost explosive sound and I felt the rush of air from its wings. I’ve witnessed several vertical launches also. They are sort of like watching a hang glider jump off a cliff.
Thanks, Alan. I’ve never seen a turkey nest. Lucky you!
Snoods, caruncles, and beards, oh my. And a good look at the spurs. All in one shot. Well done.
I’ve looked at a few distribution maps of the wild turkey and it appears it doesn’t exist in your part of Utah. I guess no one told the turkeys.
“I guess no one told the turkeys.”
I guess not, Lyle. This morning I found the same flock again and there’s at least 200 turkeys in it. Maybe closer to 250.
That is an excellent shot Ron. And thanks for the added info. I have seen them in various places such as your Capitol Reef, but have never seen one here. Game and Fish just released a considerable number up and around two of our local mountains. These are areas I have hiked up when I was younger, but no longer can do so probably will continue to have to live without seeing one.
Everett, I’ve seen them in Capitol Reef too. In fact, that was the first place in Utah I saw Wild Turkeys, many years ago when they weren’t so common here.
Just got to love those things.
Thanks for the photo Ron.
You’re welcome, Michael.
Beautiful! REALLY stretched out there…… 🙂 It is amazing that they can fly and do so pretty well. Toughen ’em up good for anyone thinking about dinner at Thanksgiving…… 😉
Judy, I’ve always wondered how wild turkey meat compares to domestic store-bought. Not curious enough to try it though.
Me either on trying them tho many swear by them relative to the mostly tasteless domestic……;)
They taste excellent Ron. I live in Almont Michigan and turkey hunt every year. We have a very large turkey population here in Lapeer county. I harvest one turkey a year. My family and I enjoy the treat of such a special meal.