American Crow

Gallery: AvianPosted January 19, 2010129 views13 comments

Yesterday was a great shoot. Was out looking for something special when I heard this crow squawking. I had no interest in a crow till I saw he had some kind of treat in his claws on a branch. I decided to watch him , shot a few frames, then he started to flap away. I liked this one. The treat looks like an insect cocoon or something.I also got my first cedar wax wing of the year and found a nesting pair of Great Blue Herons.
Canon 7D 2.8 300 mm L lens
ISO 400 f4.5 @ 1/1250

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 19, 2010 at 9:46 PM

I'm viewing on a laptop at the moment so can't do a critical judgement on exposure, but what I can see looks good. THe outspread wings make this image and keep the crow from being "just a black lump." I also like the graphics provided by the cluster of branches.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on January 19, 2010 at 9:51 PM

I really like that wingspread, Cheryl. Nice job on the exposure. Plenty of detail in the blacks, they show up much better in the larger post. Great job, I find it very difficult to get close enough to Crows.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 19, 2010 at 10:29 PM

I've always considered crows pedestrian-but no more. Dynamic picture with excellent detail in black subject.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Wilson on January 20, 2010 at 4:17 AM

I like the composition with the shape of the branches and the dynamic pose on the crow. I wonder if a touch off the RHS might balance a little better? Having something in it's beak really adds an extra dimension to the image.

Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Jones on January 20, 2010 at 7:55 AM

Great capture,love the composition Cheryl,lovely image

Registered on January 31, 2009, 67 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on January 20, 2010 at 8:48 AM

Nice action here Cheryl of this mostly overlooked species.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 20, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Very nice! Terrific wing spread! I too find them incredibly skittish around here, and I can never get close.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 20, 2010 at 11:32 AM

A wonderful job on a very common bird, Cheryl. The exposure on the blacks is perfect and its a very dynamic pose with lots of interesting things going on. I also like the bg.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 20, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Cheryl, the comp with the branches and the sky make this image for me. I like the bird's pose too. I do wish for just a bit more light on the bird for a bit more detail, but this is a tough exposure and it is nice as posted.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on January 20, 2010 at 8:07 PM

Nice capture, Cheryl. Great timing with the spread wings. Almost looks comical given the large bird on such a small perch.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on January 20, 2010 at 8:09 PM

Really dramatic image with the wingspan and the color in the bg. The Larger photo looks much more interesting to me. Nice capture.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 20, 2010 at 9:20 PM

very nice, Cheryl. I love the pose, setting, and catchlight. Exposure looks very good.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 21, 2010 at 11:02 AM

Cheryl,

Sorry I am late on commenting on this image, been tied up with other things this week. I like the great pose with the food in the bill and I especially love the background and the branches in the foreground, they add a wonderful textural appeal.

I am curious though as to how you determined that this is an American Crow versus the Fish Crow. Having lived in that area I'm aware that both species are residents in the Tampa Bay area. The only way I was ever able to determine which was which was if they called in my presence or if I saw them close enough together so I could compare tail & leg length and head size.

Love how the wings are spread.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments