As I was walking along a trail on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, I happened to glance to my left and was shocked to see that I was almost face-to-face with a Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). This turkey, along with several of his friends, was foraging in the underbrush and apparently had not heard me approaching. I immediately stopped in my tracks, fearful of scaring the turkeys away and contemplate my next steps.
Should I try to move into another position for a better shot? Should I zoom out and try capture the turkey’s entire body that was mostly hidden in the vegetation? The clock was ticking and I knew that the turkeys would soon sense my presence.
I had a pretty clear view of the turkey’s head from where I was standing, so I decided to go for a portrait close-up portrait shot. I carefully focused on the turkey’s eye and was happy to be able to capture quite a bit of detail in a profile shot when the turkey turned his head to the side.
In a funny way I felt almost like I was looking a mirror, because the turkey had a lot of wrinkles and hairs sprouting out of various parts of his head, features that have become increasingly noticeable for me as I have gotten older. When I was younger, I don’t think I realized how much hair would eventually be growing out of my nose and ears.
After I had grabbed a few shots, I move on quietly down the trail and the turkeys continued their foraging .
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Wow, that IS a close-up!! Cool
I love being able to see all of the detail of the textures in the turkey’s head and neck plumage. I think it’s a lovely photo – though it would horrify my Dad who has a lifelong phobia of turkeys.
Thanks, Laura. I have gotten used to the fact that viewers react in many different ways to photos that I think are beautiful. Normally those reactions come out when I post a photo of a spider or a snake, but I can definitely understand how some of my photos could trigger memories, fears, or phobias.
Mike, you are too funny!
Thanks. Let’s agree that I have a warped sense of humor. 🙂
I have spent a lot of time with wild turkeys they can surprise you with their gentle nature and sense of humour.. however, they can be aggressive and territorial too…especially if you are a stranger to them.
I never know for sure how wild turkeys will react, so I generally keep my distance from them. Most of the time the turkeys slowly move into the underbrush when they sense me approaching. So far, I have not yet encountered an aggressive wild turkey.