paddling with a camera

It was in July of 2005. Pictures shot with my Pentax Optio WP in the middle of day are not so great, but I think there are worth of showing. And, it is always worth to keep your camera ready.

I've seen flocks of wild turkeys when paddling South Platte and Poudre Rivers near Greeley in northern Colorado. They used to walk on sandbars or fly across the river. I've never had occasion to shoot any pictures of them. I got my chance yesterday during paddling on North Platte River in Wyoming from Fort Laramie to Torrington.

I saw a lot birds during that trip including bald eagles, hawks, owls, herons, etc. When portaging one of diversion dams I noticed a turkey on the rocks above the dam. No, it wasn't a goose! It was definitely a turkey lady.

She wasn't a good swimmer, rather a competent floater, steering against the current and ferrying across the river. However, the current was really strong above the dam and the poor bird had no chances to fight it. She went over the dam and disappeared in waves and foam. What a sad story I thought ...

But ... A second later, the turkey showed up below the dam. As nothing happened she was slowly ferrying against the current again. She still needed several minutes to reach the opposite shore and hide in bushes. I don't know whether it was accident, act of panic or something what wild turkeys do everyday.

Related posts:

• 3 Days on the North Platte River in Wyoming: from Treasure Island to Fort Steele
• North Platte River: Fort Laramie to Torrington, Wyoming
• North Platte River above Seminoe Reservoir
• Paddling and Photographing - Wayfarer Trip Index (July 2006 Edition)