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COMMON RAVEN


COMMON RAVEN
Photo Information
Copyright: Lawhill Russo (lawhill) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 318 W: 2 N: 565] (2054)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-05-23
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D-200
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/80 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2007-05-24 8:33
Viewed: 668
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
The Common Raven (Corvus corax), also known as the Northern Raven, is a large all-black passerine bird in the crow family. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids. There are eight known subspecies with little variation in appearance, however recent research has demonstrated significant genetic differences between populations from different regions.

It is one of the two largest corvids, alongside the Thick-billed Raven, and is possibly the heaviest passerine bird; at maturity, the Common Raven is between 56 and 69 cm (22 to 27 inches) in length, with recorded weights ranging from 0.69 to 1.63 kg (1.5 to 3.6 pounds). Common Ravens typically live about 10 to 15 years in the wild, although lifespans of up to 40 years have been recorded. Young birds may travel in flocks, but later mate for life, with each mated pair defending a territory.

The Common Raven has coexisted with humans for thousands of years, and in some areas has been so successful that it is considered a pest. Part of its success comes from its omnivorous diet; Common Ravens are extremely versatile and opportunistic in finding sources of nutrition, feeding on carrion, insects and food waste, in addition to cereal grains, berries, fruit and small animals.

Some remarkable feats of problem-solving have been observed in the species, leading to the belief that it is highly intelligent. Over the centuries, it has been the subject of mythology, folklore, art and literature. In many indigenous cultures, including those of Scandinavia, ancient Ireland and Wales, Bhutan and the northwest coast of North America, the Common Raven has been revered as a spiritual figure or god.[2]

(Wikipedia)
Raptorman, Chako, Fisher, ramthakur, angybone, jaycee has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Fisher: Hello Mikelawhill 2 05-25 15:41
To claudine: Hello Claudinelawhill 1 05-24 17:36
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Critiques [Translate]

Hello Lawhill,
Recently, I have seen a documentary about the birds' intelligence scale and Ravens were at the top of it before raptors and Jays :) This is a very nice portrait with nice details, composition and beautiful BG. I hope that you don't mind but I did a little WS trying to adjust levels as I think that the image was a little veiled. Thanks,
Claudine

Hello Lawhill , i like very much your Raven photo , this is my favourite bird , i can see " intelligence " in the raven's eye , very successful photo , thank you very much for your photo , sharing with us and very useful text .

  • Great 
  • Chako (18)
  • [2007-05-24 9:27]

Good day Lawhill;

I enjoyed your photo of this very common but difficult bird to photograph. Excellent catch light that makes the eyes very expressive. There does seem to be a little fuzziness and agree with Claudine's assessment. A very nice photograph. TFS, Daniel.

nice catch. tough to get details in the feathers with a black bird. done well here good DOF

Nicely captured portrait of the Raven.
Just wondering, sigma lens?

Mike

Thanks for looking at my recent picture and writing your critique on it, Lawhill.
This is a fine portrait of a Raven.
The details and colors are very good.
All the best.

  • Great 
  • demeve Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 604 W: 11 N: 1631] (5995)
  • [2007-05-24 14:21]

Hello Lawhill, impressive capture, excellent camera work, very good portrait, I really like this one, great POV, composition, and sharpness, the collors and details are fantastic, gongratulation in a fine picture..well done..

Olá Lawhill, Belo close deste lindo passaro.
Me agrada a composição e cores desta foto, Parabéns .
HenriqueººBrasil

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-05-24 23:14]

Hello Lawhill

A very good portrait of this raven.I have been trying to get a good shot for quite some time.I love hearing the raspy sound the ravens make when I walk through the woods.They are clever and rarely let me get too close.I think the workshop helped bring out the contrast a little better.Very well composed with good eye contact.Excellent POV and DOF.TFS


Rob

How wonderful to see the details in the feathers. The raven is not 'raven black' after all, is it?
I see other colors in those feathers.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-05-25 10:53]

Hi Lawhill,

Amazing close-up of this Raven. I'm wondering how you got so close. Wonderful details - a beautiful eye, beak and plummage. Lovely colors. Your black is sooooo good.

Jane

Hi Lawhill,
I thought I would have a look at your birds. This is not a Raven. The classic Poeian Raven (Corvus corax) does not range in Florida, and inspection of the size of the bill of this bird eliminates it a priori. Don't feel too bad as the separation of Corvus species are difficult even for those used to doing it.

So, what is it? There are two Corvus species that range in S Florida. They are: American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos); and Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus). It would have been better a full-body shot to ID this one, but all I have is the bill and head shape. In my judgment, this is a Fish Crow (smaller bill than brachyrhynchos, different head profile, etc.).

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