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| Eastern Wild Turkey Gobbler: Canon 5D MK III-Canon 500mmF4-ISO 1000-1/2000 Sec. F4.5 |
When most think eastern wild turkey gobblers they
think of the peak of the gobbling season, which usually occurs in April,
but to a certain extent the activity actually begins much earlier. The
mature gobbler above shows little signs of interest in hens or
competing with other gobblers, except that his head is perhaps a bit
deeper red than ordinary for this time of year, while the gobblers below
show much more coloration and their heads are slightly swollen looking.
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| Bachelor Group Of Mature Gobblers : Canon 5D MK III-Canon 500mmF4-ISO 1000-1/640 Sec. F4.5 |
This can change moment by moment and the gobbler can
quickly go from having a slender, dull looking head to a bright colorful
head that shifts hues rapidly. Since hens are not receptive at this
time of year, this is usually brought on by the appearance of a strange
gobbler or another bachelor group of gobblers. In such a case the birds
may strut, gobble, and chase each other.
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| Gobbling: Canon 5D MK III-Canon 500mmF4-ISO 1000-1/1600 Sec. F4.5 |
On several occasions I have seen two groups of
gobblers confront each other, with the more aggressive group forming a V
formation and charging the other. Sometimes a kicking, thrashing melee
ensues, but often one group gives way and flees the scene before
contact is made. This is just one of the things that make these birds
so fascinating.
Some will question my frequent use of
ISO 1000 in relatively good light, but I have found that setting to be
so good on the 5D MK III that I often have the camera set there if I
anticipate rapid action. The bottom line is each photographer should
experiment and say what is acceptable to them, but it is important to
remember that in many cases the ability to shoot at the high ISO
settings improves with each generation of cameras. This is nothing
scientific, but I feel safe in saying that ISO 12800 on a 5D MK III is
superior to ISO 800 on the old Canon 10D.
Originally published at
Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer by Willard Hill.
