Common Raven

[David Salem]

Even though they are one of the most common and wide spread Corvids in the world, I have always found it challenging to get a really good frame of one. If it's to bright, they are blocked and over glossy, and if it's to overcast they lack luster, sheen and feather detail.
To catch one with a good pose, a decent perch and with the perfect light is trickier than it might seem, even though you see the all the time. This is my best to date. I caught this guy a few years ago on a day when the sun and clouds were continually changing every few seconds.
I took three of four sequences of this guy and the difference is striking between literally 10 seconds of shots. Some in total sun and some in total clouds. This was the best light in that one minute I shot him. Looks like he has a gopher scull that he is picking at. Hope you like him.

1DX---840mm---f7.1---ss1/1250th---ISO800---Handheld@8:15am---25% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.

David

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

This ought to be the best Raven image I have seen, the exposure, the details, the open beak & the food item all make this wonderful! TFS. And oh the perch & BG is perfect too!

[John Mack]

Great detail throughout this frame. Love the open beak. The gopher skull is a plus i was wondering what that was. Well done.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dave, the thumbnail doesnt do this justice. When I opened this, the Raven jumps out, and the exposure on this shot is perfect. Great open beak, tack sharp, and the feather detail pops so well. Killer clean BG too.

[Isaac Grant]

Sweet one Dave. I really like how the black raven contrasts the nice pastel colored background. Beautiful feather details as well.

[Bill Dix]

What a perfect Raven pose. I second Sanjeev's comment: probably the best Raven shot I've see. Definitely need good cloudy conditions. Killer in all respects.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Sweet! It almost has raptor-like talons! Good job on the plumage details, I especially like the "beard". Great perch and BG. I'd prefer a bit more room for the comp - just a personal preference.

[annmpacheco]

Hi Dave,
Love it, always love a raven! Great pose, HA, and the snack gives it more interest. Love the open beak and exposure with a ton of detail.. ////////////////////////////////////wowsa!

[William Dickson]

The detail in the black feathers is simply beautiful. Fab pose, perch and BG. Great looking frame David. The open bill adds so much.

Will

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone I'm glad you like him. I was gonna save it for Halloween but....

[Tim Foltz]

Dave, awesome details in this shot, one of the harder "common" birds to get a shot of. Nice details, perch and HA.

-Tim

[Steve Kaluski]

Hey Dave, killer detail, cool lighting, nicely processed, the open beak just kicked this up a gear or two. The backdrop is to die for, just gives so much punch to the subjects colours.

TFS
Steve

[Bob Smith]

Such a powerful image David---the colour and the feather detail are breathtaking. This belongs on it's own totem pole. One of my projects for this summer was to work with ravens as I travel through B.C. and you've certainly given me inspiration here.

[arash_hazeghi]

hard to make an applying shot of a raven but I really like this one, excellent details and exposure through and through

well done buddy