fiery fan: Merriams

Gallery: AvianPosted March 24, 2010226 views17 comments

This evening a Merriams Turkey gobbler strutted along the lip of the canyon behind my house with the sun streaming through the all white edge of his tail fan. It looked like fire! I exposed some images for the white edge, but that turned him into a dark blob. I think this version, which allows that edge to blow out, shows the scene very close to the way it was viewed.

His appearance means Spring is finally here and I am SO glad!

D200, 70-200 @200, iso 125, F4.5, 1/160, -1.0ev matrix

C&C welcomed.

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 24, 2010 at 9:56 PM

I've always found Turkeys difficult to photograph as they often don't stay still for long - the backlighting is the perfect treatment here as it allows the colors to come through nicely and sets off the tail feathers beautifully.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on March 24, 2010 at 11:02 PM

Great shot, Lon. Love the sun through the feathers, and the reds and blues are a nice accent. Caught him in full strut, and I like the iridescence on the chest. Very nice.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on March 24, 2010 at 11:34 PM

Nice shot Lon, The sun really lit up that tail nicely!

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on March 24, 2010 at 11:50 PM

Great shot of a fine looking turkey. A great job of exp holding detail in that dark body and controlling those whites nicely.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 25, 2010 at 1:43 AM

Nice, very nice! Congrats!

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Smith on March 25, 2010 at 3:27 AM

What great light! Congrats.

Registered on September 5, 2008, 449 Posts, 2444 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 25, 2010 at 4:02 AM

A backlit tail and wing feathers are most effective. Looking from the other side of the world, I find turkeys a truly impressive bird.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 25, 2010 at 7:38 AM

Nice full strut pose Lon. I do not think the white edge is blown out, I see detail there. I think this exposure is very good for the setting. I like the backlighting here and the sun in the FG and the shadown in the BG gives good depth to the image. Very nice sight of spring.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by richard remington on March 25, 2010 at 1:03 PM

The only word I can use to describe this picture is "Magnificent". It jumped off the gallery page when I looked at it. That is a regal bird captured in all of its natural glory. Thanks for posting it!

Registered on March 12, 2010, 105 Posts, 368 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on March 25, 2010 at 4:15 PM

Very nice, the sun on the tail creates a very interesting effect.

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 25, 2010 at 4:47 PM

Beautiful, Lon. The sun behind the splayed tail is a bonus!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on March 25, 2010 at 5:44 PM

Nicely done Lon. I like the colours here and the low angle .

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on March 25, 2010 at 8:12 PM

A unique turkey photo. The backlit tail feathers really light it up!

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 25, 2010 at 11:19 PM

Terrific shot Lon, the rim lighting on the tail feathers make this unique, great job.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on March 26, 2010 at 12:34 AM

Wonderful Backlight ....well done ..

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 26, 2010 at 12:48 AM

Excellent use of the light Lon, great shot

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by JACK NEAL on March 26, 2010 at 2:10 AM

Good picture, Lon. Even though you could not get the sun behind you, the turkey is clear and the color and detail are great! Wish I had been there!

Registered on September 26, 2009, 131 Posts, 554 Comments