photonoclast
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This past spring I was witness to an epic fight among the wild turkeys that lived around our place.
Context: During much of the year (except nesting season) wild turkeys flock in groups of variable size. Sometimes the males (Toms and Jakes) mix in, but a lot of the time they just hang out in bachelor groups spending their time eating, grooming, displaying (which they do more to each other than to the females), and of course fighting – turkey society is very hierarchical and they continually act to establish or maintain that hierarchy.
The main event: On this day, after they spent an enjoyable morning dust bathing and hanging out at the feeder together, the dominant male decided it was time for some fighting, first to see how the junior males were doing, and then (I believe) to show everyone who ultimately is boss. He started by egging two junior males into a fight. Later, the group moved out of the brush onto the lawn for, first, a showdown between senior males, and second for the dominant male to whip everyone into line. The sequence here is the first fight between the juniors. I’ll put up the second two rounds in later posts sometime.
The photos: When the turkeys first started to show interesting behavior (at the start of the covid lockdown) the only telephoto lens I had handy was my old (>25 year) Nikon 300 mm F4 IF-ED, which is a battle axe of a lens that can be used for weight lifting, door stops, shot put practice, and as a hammer when you don’t need it for photography. The only body I had to put it on was a dusty old D7000. I’ve posted a few images of the birds with this combo over on the Nikon forum DX images thread. Well, when it looked like the action might start, I grabbed it and followed them into the bushes. Unfortunately, with no zoom and being stuck in the dense brush, I had little control over framing and had to just work with what was unfolding in front of me. At the end, I think the old Nikon combo acquitted itself alright.
There are nine images. They begin with the senior Tom in full display, leaning in to instigate the fight between the younger males. He goads them on, while one seems to get the better of the other with some karate-like flying side-kicks, which is their main way of fighting. They end up locking beaks in a test of neck strength. How they avoid blinding each other or breaking their necks is beyond me. I hope you enjoy them!!
(PS I only know what I observe; if any wild turkey experts can explain more of what is happening, please chime in!)
Old Tom is in a fighting mood and leans in.
Old Tom goads a younger male into action.
Thwack! Flying side kick by one of the juniors.
Old Tom wants to see some more action.
Another thwack!
Youngsters lock beaks.
Test of wills and neck strength
Old Tom watches from behind; one junior seems to be winning now
Locked in battle!
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