30 Good Minutes #2

[Arthur Morris]

Again, from yesterday morning. From the car with the big lens on a BLUBB at Indian Lake Estates, my home turf. The lake is three minutes from my home.

This displaying Wild Turkey tom was photographed with the Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens and the EOS-1D Mark IV. ISO 400. Evaluative metering at zero: 1/1000 sec. at f/5.6.

I would have bet that I had been at -1/3 stop to protect the highlights on the beard. The wattle on this bird could have been a lot redder....

Don't be shy; all comments welcome.

ps: A signpost was removed from the upper right.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Cool pose, good sharpness and setting. The pinks on the head look quite bright and I find the crop a bit tight but I guess you like it this way. :)

[Arthur Morris]

I agree on the too tight. I did not want to risk moving the car away from the bird and missing the display...

[Doug Rodda]

Love the BG-heads bright? Like the raised foot! FF? You have it all down in Fla.

[Arthur Morris]

Slight crop from the bottom. I went back this morning and saw only one hen in the field. I will keep trying until I head to NJ/LI at the end of the month.

[Jim Neiger]

Artie,

Very cool image. He looks fat and happy like he just had a nice big pilgrim dinner. I had a similar experience the day before yesterday. I photographed two Toms like this displaying side by side. I had harsh light though.

[Dennis "Curly" Buchner]

Is this a osceola turkey in the grand slam

[Arthur Morris]

I believe that we have the Osceola race here in central Florida. Not sure what you are referring to by "grand slam."

[Dennis "Curly" Buchner]

It is what hunters call the four sub species of turkeys and called the grand slam which is the Eastern, Osceola, Merriam's and Rio Grande turkeys. I guess it is the ultimate goal for turkey hunters. Thanks for your help Artie

[Arthur Morris]

YAW, and thanks for the info. That's where I thought that you are going. I have a friend who has killed one of every turkey species in the world with a bow and arrow.

[Dennis "Curly" Buchner]

That is quite a feat with a bow and arrow

[Arthur Morris]

Neal Kaufman of Louisville, KY. He is a pretty fair photographer too.

[Bryan Erb]

Really like the full tail fan, iridescent colors, bit tight in frame as mentioned but you captured the moment. BTW the beard is the stiff black hair sticking out of the breast.

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent pose, I like the details in the tail, looks like a king!

[Stu Bowie]

Lovely display, and good to see the whole turkey falling in the DOF. The fanned tail puts this over the top.