I think I've been overestimating my ability to be still. I'm starting to think turkeys can see me breathing.

Question #1

Worst case, if I am in fact perfectly still and let's say I'm leaning against a solitary tree in a field, will turkeys perceive me as a threat? I know they will see me but if I'm perfectly still will they usually become alarmed anyway?

I know if I so much as blink the jig is up but I guess what I'm asking is does their vision depend on motion?

Question #2 (and #3)

Let's say you're in mature pines, fairly dense, maybe 30-50 yds visibility. Will you be comfortable simply leaning against most any tree or will you keep looking until you find something thick to bury yourself in? If you bury yourself in cover, but not a pop up blind, just natural cover, how do you manage gun movement with a bunch of stuff in your face?

Perfectly still in the shade in the open is fine if you don't move.

I'll pick a tree that gives me good visibility over one that I have to fight my way to because of brush..... as long as it's not in the sun.

I trim stuff where I can swing my gun. If I get caught with my gun down, I just remain still until he gets well within range then raise and shoot all in one motion. If he gets behind a big enough tree or brush I KNOW he can't see through, I'll then get my gun ready. Ideally he's in range when I do that so I can shoot as soon as he steps out. Sometimes they notice something is different and will smell a rat when they step out, so be ready to let it eat the first chance you get.

Question #1....if you leaning against a tree in the wide open, yes you will get busted mitts of the time. Their vision depends on motion, but not solely. They're smart, the can see that something isn't right with that equation.

Question #2.... find a tree wider than your shoulders where you will be hid in the shadows, and where you will blend in. It's all about blending in, and staying hid in the shadows.

With all that said, I killed a bird while I was kneeling down in a 6 feet wide creek. The gobbler crossed the creek 18 yards in front of me gobbling at my yelps. When they wanna die it's hard to mess it up.

So pretty much, wherever I set up in the morning I need to be facing NW which means wherever I believe or know that they are roosted, I need to approach from anywhere from NE to SE? Whichever easterly direction I approach from, being right handed, I want to set up NE of wherever I expect the turkeys to appear so that I can be in the shadows facing NW and have the widest shooting arc without having to reposition myself to shoot something to my right?

Is this correct?

In an ideal world that would be great. Set up where you think they are gonna go, find a spot to sit or lay or kneel or stand in the best cover you can find and be still.
Don't overthink it too much. Go have fun and pick up whatever info they give you and DO NOT SCARE THE TURKEY.

I prefer to stand as long as I can usually behind the tree if I know which direction hes coming from.

Gobbler lounger and a shooting stick have killed a pile of birds for me.

You're overthinking this. The turkey dictates where you sit, not you. Once he's been located, you get as close as possible without spooking him and then find a spot to set up. I usually rest against trees but I have used a chair/vest to sit in a clump of weeds in the middle of a pasture with a decoy out front. If you can sit still, you won't spook him. After all, they're not spooked by unnatural ground blinds that are sitting still.

I look for an area with few weeds and brush around. Being concealed doesn't do you much good if you can't point your gun in the direction of the bird without hitting something. Secondly, I like to use terrain features to my advantage. If I'm standing on top of a ridge and strike a bird on one side, I'll often drop off the other side just a hair. I want the bird to come up the hill looking for me. When he tops the hill, I want to be able to see him and have him within range.

X2 except I like to get on the same level as the birds or a slow incline or decline...have had many a bird hang up with little 5 ft hills and all

Always carry hand clippers. A bush or 2 out in front to break up your outline has always helped me.

This what I do! Especially if I'm gonna be sitting there a while.

Me too. I use mine almost every hunt. It's rare to find the perfect setup but often not too hard to make one.

I must not have ever owned any real good camo. When I get a turkey inside of 15 yards they usually see me, even though I haven't moved a muscle and never look them in the eye. The solution is to set up so a gobbler can't get inside 15 yds, but it's the hens that usually bust me.

Better get some sort of chair that allows you to sit with your knees up so you can rest your gun own them. As already mentioned, make the final adjustment as he goes behind a tree.

One other tip - keep a mouth caller in your mouth anytime a gobbler is close. If he is moving, get the gun on him and then call to stop him when he hits an open area. That should make him stop and stand straight, exposing the max amount of head and neck. Shoot as soon as you are on him. You don't have to be great with a mouth call for this to work.

Good luck!

Brother the best advice I could give you is to not over think it.When I look for a spot to set up on a gobbling turkey,I look for a couple of things,background cover,and where I can kill that turkey.If you set yourself in a shaded area,against a good tree,with a little cover to break up your outline,and sit still,there is a good chance he wont see you until its to late.I also like to be where I can kill him when he comes into view,don't give him too much room to look for you.If the flat you are hunting is 60 yards across,then try your best to be where when he comes into view you can kill,so about half the flat you are sitting.I hope this helps,and remember don't make a science project out of it just have fun,it will come sooner or later!