The City of Ottawa held a 'Winter is For the Birds' photo contest, in conjunction with the 'Wildlife Speaker Series'. I was so excited to place 4th, getting an 'honourable mention' for my image titled 'Crows in a Snowstorm'. Bird nerds with cameras know how hard it can be to photograph crows. The second they spot you and your photography gear, they are in flight and gone in an instant. I was driving down Leitrim Road during a snowstorm (it had hit fast- just moments before, it was a sunny afternoon). I had my camera with me and spotted several crows in a field, completely oblivious to the weather, gobbling up frozen kernels of corn from the previous season's cornstalks. As soon as I pulled my car over to the shoulder, of course the crows took flight- but I was able to grab this shot. I think crows are hilarious because they act so tough, like the biker gangs of the bird world. But in reality they are one of the most chicken-like-scaredy-cat birds out there. A tiny chicadee won't even flinch if you get close, even perching on your hand to eat sunflower seeds. But a crow? Gone in an instant. Oh well, I guess I got lucky with these corn-snatching crows, because two seconds later they were a distant memory. p.s. big congratulations to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners Al Robinson, Daniel Parent, and Jim Cumming!
Me with Canadian Geographic photo editor, Jessica Finn
