The amateur photographer behind the astonishing shots is Phoo Chan who lives in California, USA.
His amazing images, captured in Seabeck, Washington using a Canon DSLR, have caused an internet sensation in recent days.
[Photo credits: Phoo Chan / Media Drum World]
Amateur Photographer last night tracked down Phoo who told us he captured the astonishing shots using a Canon EOS-1D X, with a Canon EF 600mm II lens and 1.4X III extender.
The cheeky crow had chosen to hitch a ride on the eagle as it searched for early morning food – landing on the eagle’s back 25ft in the air in a brief encounter lasting no more than a few seconds.
Phoo, 50, explained that he began taking wildlife photos in November 2010 and has never taken a photography course in his life.
‘I am mostly self-taught and [learn by] sharing info with photographer friends,’ he told AP.
In manual mode Phoo used a shutter speed of 1/1,600sec and f/7.1 aperture, shooting at an ISO of 320 with center-weighted average metering and auto white balance
Phoo’s hero wildlife photographers include Alan Murphy, Tinman Lee and Conrad Tan.
Speaking to boredpanda.com earlier this week, Phoo said: ‘Crows are known for aggressively harassing other raptors that are much bigger in size when spotted in their territories and usually these “intruders” simply retreat without much fuss.
‘However, in this frame the crow did not seem to harass the bald eagle at such close proximity and neither did the bald eagle seem to mind the crow’s presence invading its personal space.
‘What made it even more bizarre was that the crow even made a brief stop on the back of the eagle as if it was taking a free scenic ride and the eagle simply obliged.’
So, what next? All we need now is a baby baboon jumping on the back of a reluctant rhino and the cavalcade of bizarre animal taxi rides can surely take a well-earned refreshment break.
To view more of Phoo Chan’s bird photography visit 500px.com
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