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Wild Turkeys Stand Guard

February 3, 2026 · Benicia, CA
Wild Turkeys Stand Guard

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Three wild turkeys stand guard in the middle of the road, their tail feathers ruffled in warning to intruders.

Story

Wild turkeys are a surprisingly common sight in Benicia.
There’s a flock that wanders through town—sometimes spread out across neighborhoods, sometimes gathered together in large groups. On this particular day, there were probably twenty of them nearby, but these three had separated slightly from the others.
And they were putting on a show.
Their tail feathers were fully raised, bodies puffed up, standing tall and alert. Most likely males, displaying dominance or keeping watch for threats. Whatever the reason, they immediately caught my attention.
Ironically, the display that was probably meant to intimidate predators ended up attracting a photographer instead.
I moved in carefully with the camera and started shooting.
Photographing wildlife is always unpredictable. You can’t pose the subjects or direct them—you just respond to what they give you. I used continuous shooting mode to

Read the entire story in “Stories Behind the Lens” on Substack

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