It’s always a challenge to shoot crows because of their highlight prone dark plumage. It becomes easier if the light is directly behind the photographer. That is the case here. An unusually clear part of the day in the winter in the Pacific Northwest. I think this is a clam that the crow appears to be gagging on. Taken at lower tide.
Is this a composite: No
iso-1800, 500PF plus 1.4X, f8, 2500th, D500, 70% full frame
Looks like it has a mouthful and a half, David. I prefer the blacks in the first of the two images, though I like the composition of the second. As you’re probably aware by now, I tend to like my blacks to be black, though I also like to retain detail. You certainly have great detail, but I think you could bring the brighter areas down a bit to give it a deeper appearance.
Really nice detail in the crow. My preference is for the second one also.
I like the first image better than the second. The crow stands out better and there’s less distracting shadows in the first one as well. The poses of the feasting crow are excellent. Well done…Jim
