Love in the Foothills

I live at the edges of a magnificent sloping mountain meadow ringed by ponderosa pines and gently rolling hills. The view from my home office has brought me much solace and inspiration over the 25 years I have lived here.

Today was a day for smiles. We have a group of amorous male turkeys right outside our front door. They gobble from dawn until dark. They preen and strut and fan for the coy females, oblivious to dangers they would normally heed, like nosy humans or the coyote who stands vigil at the top of meadow, on the prowl for a turkey dinner.

To get closeup photos of turkeys, I have learned that if I walk into the field, they will flee, but if I climb in my car, using it for a blind, I can coast slowly down our dirt driveway and get close, often within 10 feet. They seem almost oblivious to me, lost in their love-smitten quest.

This is one of many photos taken with a Sigma 150-500, handheld out the car window. It was then lightly processed in Topaz Adjust to give it a painterly effect, leaving some detail in the face using layers and layer masks.

I wonder if the coyote enjoyed a turkey dinner?