American Crow feeding on a dead Asian carp – Nikon D500, f9, 1/640, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I wanted to make one more trip out to Farmington Bay WMA this winter before they closed the gate at Goose Egg Island and I was glad that I went on the last day of February because I came home with some nice images of American Crows, a Killdeer and some Herring Gulls.
Once the gate is closed you can’t drive to the four way at Farmington Bay. If you want to go that far you need to walk or use a bike and ride to get all the way out there. Over the years I have wondered why some of the WMA’s in Utah stop access to certain areas which they say is because of nesting birds, when Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge doesn’t stop normal access. It seems to me there is plenty of room for both the birds and bird lovers like myself but I suppose that there are issues with people who just can’t seem to follow rules and who would harass or bother nesting birds “just to get the shot” and go out into closed areas.
Okay, back to the crows. A few weeks ago the water level was dropped at the four way by the staff at Farmington Bay which is done as an effort to kill off and control the invasive and destructive Asian Carp that were introduced to Utah’s waters long ago, so there are carp bodies laying around and floating in the water which the eagles, gulls, coots, harriers, crows and other birds have been feeding on.
Two days ago there were still numerous American Crows feeding on the carcasses of the carp at Farmington Bay and some of the crows were close enough to allow me to take frame filling images of these pure black birds. I took a lot of photos of the crows and gulls as they picked at the carp including some of the interactions between the Herring Gulls and crows as they fought over the fish. The Herring Gulls won out every time because of their larger size and aggressive behavior.
Profile view of an American Crow – Nikon D500, f9, 1/640, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Having the crows perched on the dead fish probably isn’t the most pleasing setting for some people’s tastes but I feel that it is what it is and I will photograph birds no matter what they are doing. I feel that doing anything less would restrict me and my bird photography and I’m not in it to just take “pretty” photos. I prefer to take images of birds doing what they do when they do it and that is what these American Crow photos show.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Crow photos plus facts and information about this species.
Crow sushi. Yum!
Great pics Mia. Thanks.
Beautiful colors in the crow. You have seen some of my photos of the gulls on the dead carp, I posted one on another photography forum and it has not been very popular due to the dead desiccated carp. I love the photo for what it is and the composition.
Hey, a crow’s gotta eat! 🙂 I have several that hang out in my yard, getting into mischief. Thank you for the reminder of how beautiful those black feathers can be.
Wonderful job Mia. Great exposure on those black birds. You do a terrific job!
I’m right there with you on the idea that it is what it is. Life is often messy, and that’s where it’s raw beauty is. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it 😉
LOVE THESE IMAGES OF A FAVORITE BIRD!!! They remind me so much of Corby…he was such a character!!! These are such beautiful photos anyway…love the glossy black bird and the beautiful patterns in earth and water,…dead fish dinner not a problem…
I never tire of crows and crows on feeding on fish even better. Thanks!!
Nice photos, Mia.
I remember how surprised I was the first time I found boat-tailed grackles feeding on bait fish. I’d always associated herons, gulls, and so on with fish: not a bird I always see on land.
By the way, I nearly typed “seagull,” and then changed it to the more proper term. Your lesson took. 🙂