Sometimes the view from the back is just as spectacular as the view from the front. I spotted this male Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in full display this past Friday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. There were no females around to impress, but somehow, like a vain bodybuilder, this guy seemed compelled to flex and show off, even while doing something as mundane as foraging for food.
Initially I was disappointed that this turkey steadfastly refused to turn around and show me his face. As I surveyed the scene, though, I realized that I really loved the perfect fan shape of the displayed tail and the geometric abstractness of the the turkey from this angle. In fact, this kind of a shot might cause viewers to linger a little longer on the image as they gradually figure out what the main subject is, i.e. that it is a wild turkey.
Mike Powell 
I really like the pattern and symmetry in the fan! He might be showing us his behind, but it is not bad looking 😜
“Wow, a turkey tail! It is humongous!” says Benjamin, “but, I like his face bestest.” I suppose that he wants to be prepared, just in case a lady turkey comes by. An interesting photo of a wild turkey viewed from the back. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
I guess I will need to share a frontal shot again soon. Thanks for sharing Benjamin’s thoughts and words. They mean so much more to me than the simple “likes” that I get from most people.
You would so enjoy seeing Benjamin peruse your photos after I enlarge them. He inspects them from top to bottom and side to side. His fascination and wonder is a sight to behold. It is pure joy for me!
That’s a stunning look he’s got going there.
Nice! We have them where I live now. We had one struting down the sidewalk in full display in front of my condo this morning before I went to work. It takes some getting use to seeing them just wandering around. Again, like the “rear” view!
It’s an excellent capture, Mike! 🙂 I actually like it more than the regular frontal views!