Kodak Moment - Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

A shutter chance has two main meanings: the perfect fleeting moment for a shot, or a "Kodak moment.” This photo of the large-billed crow is such a moment.

In over forty years as a professional photographer, I have never captured a Jungle Crow with such vibrant colors, thanks to the green leaves, berries, and early morning light, along with a clear blue sky. Jungle crows DO NOT HAVE blue plumage; their glossy black feathers show purple iridescence, appearing blue-purple at certain angles, especially in direct or early light. I photographed this crow while leading a Private June photography workshop along the Sea of Japan, deep in the authentic Niigata, Yamagata, and Akita, Japan. Here, even the crows eat healthy and look beautiful. I believe this female crow was picking berries at first light to feed her young as her lifelong partner watched us. Yes, Crows form lifelong, monogamous pair bonds, like Red-crowned cranes, both of which I photograph annually in Hokkaido, along with many other species.

Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) Kodak Moment of colour and gentleness of the Jungle Crow.

The large-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), also known as the Jungle crow, is a species widespread throughout Asia. Sadly, some people look at them as pests or as bad omens, which I find completely foolish. They are one of the most intelligent birds, often compared to primates in their cognitive abilities. They demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills, tool use, and social intelligence. Scientists have found that some crows are as intelligent as a seven-year-old child, with some even outperforming them in specific tasks. These birds have been documented sharpening sticks to retrieve food; they understand water tides, knowing when to feed on various seafoods. Additionally, they have been videotaped placing nuts on the road for vehicles to drive over, breaking the hard shell open. Then they swoop down to eat the nuts. These birds learn from their environment and everything in that world, and they demonstrate love and grief. They are loving and tender towards their young. Crows have been observed adopting young birds from other families, even those with physical disabilities. Jungle crows exhibit both cooperative and competitive behaviours within their flocks. While they share food and engage in cooperative breeding, they also exhibit dominance hierarchies and can be aggressive towards one another, particularly when competing for resources or mates. As I mentioned earlier, pairs often mate for life and work together to raise their young, sharing responsibilities such as nest building, food gathering, and defending their territory. Crows may alert others to the presence of food sources, especially if there is enough for everyone. Crows engage in mutual aid and play, which is thought to enhance their social bonds and overall survival.

As a multi-themed pro photographer, I am always looking for those shutter chances, and believe me, they don’t come up often. Below are a few more of those Kodak moments.

Shutter Chance, Red-crowned cranes take off their wings and bodies, flying in almost perfect unison. This is a rare capture. Hokkaido, Japan.

Red-crowned cranes, blizzard, it was a complete white out, and then the snow stopped for a few seconds, and like a curtain, the snow lifted, Hokkaido, Japan.

Two jungle crows in a tree in Hokkaido are eating fish, at low tide, these birds enjoy fresh fish. Hokkaido, Japan.

White-naped Crane, roosting and feeding with Red-crowned cranes, this bird is way off course by about 1800km. Hokkaido, Japan.

Steller's sea eagle, perfectly filleting a fish with skill, never seen this before, and I have about 10 TBs of images of these raptors. Hokkaido, Japan.

Shima Enaga is relatively common for me, but this day I had them flying around me for three hours, while I was with a client from Europe. Hokkaido, Japan.

Heart-shaped sunrise, it happens a few times a year at one spot, but I have only seen it once. Hokkaido, Japan.

Oriental stork once extinct in Japan, but being reintroduced into the wild. This one is feeding on frogs, by my Kominka in Niigata. Niigata, Japan.

Just at sunset, five dear graced me with their presence. Hokkaido, Japan.

Lenticular cloud formations over and around Mt. Fuji. I was leading my annual essence of autumn workshop.

Golden hour in Hakone, like a giant horse goddess in the sky. Kanagawa, Japan.

Matsumoto Castle and a dragon tree, this tree no longer stands. Nagano, Japan.

Meijiro, Warbling White eye, slurping the sweet nectar of cherry blossoms. Japan.

Driving along the Sea of Japan, I captured this shot of a statue waiting for me against the backdrop of the starry night sky. Toyama, Japan.

Lenticular clouds like an umbrella over Mt. Fuji. Autun, in Japan.

Fog and autumn foliage in a mystical Kofun mound forest, 2 min exposure. Kanagawa, Japan.

The Glaucous gull is the second largest gull in the world. Here, one is swallowing a whole fish, not so rare, but one of my favourites.

Full moon over my cottage in the Mt. Fuji region. Yamanashi, Japan.

Mitsubishi A6M Zero, it's not every day you photograph one of these in someone's backyard. Gifu, Japan.

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