Crow chasing vulture

[elsid]

In a gorge in Crete I witnessed and tried to photograph a crow chasing a vulture. I was told that the crow was driving the vulture away from its territory. I do not know if that is true. This is my first attempt to photograph this kind of bird. IQ is lacking a bit because I had not enough reach,
and the birds were very distant. My equipment: D810, 300mm PF, TC 20E III (the lens manual states that only TC 14E can be used with the lens).
AF, as expected was not ideal.

[BW]

The crow seem fearless as most crows do when they chase bigger birds. The claim about the af and the converter has never been correct. The D3s had fuctional af with the 2x converter as well.

[elsid]

Dear Borge, my comment was for the lens not the camera. The Nikon lens manual states that the 300mm PF should be used only with the TC 14E.
Thank you for your interest in my photos.

[Jan Anne]

Nikon makes that statement because the AF of Nikon cameras presumable perform best at f/5.6 or less, on f8 less AF points can be used.

Hence the advice to stick with the 1.4 TC 

Great shots btw, really dig the Griffon Vultures.

[elsid]

Thank you Jan. Trying to photograph these birds I felt I have to consider the D500 and the 200-500mm.

[Airy]

Fascinating pictures nevertheless. Thanks for sharing.

[BW]

Dear Borge, my comment was for the lens not the camera. The Nikon lens manual states that the 300mm PF should be used only with the TC 14E.
Thank you for your interest in my photos.

Sorry, misinterpreted what you wrote.

[elsid]

Thank you Airy. There were two instances of a crow chasing a vulture. About 15 minutes later I shot the following sequence. I dont know if the birds are the same. There were 6 vultures in the sky during this time.

[Jakov Minić]

Lovely captures!
I have never seen a crow chasing a vulture before!

[elsid]

Thanks Jacov. I was lucky. This is my first attempt to photograph these big birds.

[Ron Savey]

I think that shots that can't be easily replicated have a special quality, and bird behavior is always interesting.  You say you were lucky, perhaps, but you cannot anticipate shots like these so you cannot set up for them.  You did a good job of capturing what we know happens but don't too often see or capture.  I like both sets.  Thanks for posting.

[Gary]

Nice and special.  Birds of many species will chase/defend against larger birds when protecting a nest full of eggs or hatchlings.  Interestingly enough, I witness the same thing in my backyard a few days ago when I saw a crow confront and intimidate a Turkey Vulture.

[Kim Pilegaard]

Nice series of action in the avian world! However, I think it is a raven rather than a crow.

[elsid]

Ron, Gary, Nikea, thank you for your comments. Nikea you may be right, I was told by the birdwatchers present it is a crow, but my main interest was to capture the action.

[Gary]

Nice series of action in the avian world! However, I think it is a raven rather than a crow.

I dunno ... The solitary action is more Raven-like but that tail seems too large for a Raven.