An American Crow at Mount Nebo gave me a welcome change of subject that morning. Deer brought me to the park, but I was glad these birds came close enough for photos.
Although I see and hear crows often, I rarely get good chances to photograph them.
American Crow at Mount Nebo Searches the Grass
Several American Crows landed nearby while I was photographing White-tailed Deer. They began walking through the grass and picking up small food items.
One crow paused with something visible in its beak. It looks like a small caterpillar or another type of larva. I cannot identify it with certainty from the photograph.
The crows continued searching the grass for several minutes. They then flew to another area and began doing the same thing.
By that point, they were too far away for more photographs.
A Short Break From Photographing Deer
Deer were the main reason for my morning visit to Mount Nebo State Park. My recent posts have focused on those encounters, including A Possible Deer Fibroma Below a Buck’s Eye.
When the crows landed nearby, I took advantage of the opportunity. Their dark feathers stood out against the bright green grass.
The brownish areas in their plumage made me wonder if these were young crows. Juvenile American Crows can look duller and browner than adults. However, worn feathers on molting adults can also develop a brown cast. I could not confirm their age from these photographs.
I had to work quickly before the birds moved farther away. Even without more time, I came home with two crow photographs I liked.
Happy to Photograph a Familiar Bird
I see and hear American Crows much more often than I photograph them. My last post about one was published on February 10, 2024. That story focused on American Crows: The Avian Einsteins of the Bird World.
More than two years passed between that post and this encounter. That made these few minutes at Mount Nebo feel even more worthwhile.
I went to the park looking for deer. The crows gave me an unexpected bonus.