Conditions: clear skies, wind SW 9MPH, temp at 46F: sunset time 4:11PM

Out on Crow Patrol, again meeting and talking with many locals, along with a local videographer. First stop at the roof top of McGovern parking garage with terrific 180° views E/S/W. A number of Crows were gathering in trees close to the parking garage as the sun was setting with stunning orange and yellow sky background colors. This image was captured about 2 before sunset time looking WSW.

On most days, the southbound train comes lumbering through the adjacent Lawrence train station, and as it heads off southbound and blows its whistle. This always causes the Crows to react, lift up, and off in flight. They usually head north, away from the alarming loud noise, make a few wide circles over the Merrimack River, and usually return to the rooftop. It is a spectacular sight to behold. This image below was captured about 3 minutes after sunset time.

Just after sunset, swarms and more swarms of Crows kept streaming in from the W and NW in dazzling numbers. Image captured about 6 minutes after sunset time.

At about 20 minutes after sunset, made a move over to the Duck Bridge to watch the Crows converge into the overnight roost. They typically round the corner at the far west end of the New Balance, often times making a wide swing out over the Merrimack River, and then into the roost. This image was captured about 34 minutes after sunset time and shows over 600 Crows at a snapshot moment.

Before heading off just over an hour after sunset, paused to capture a few low light night images, with manual focus and exposure settings, of the extended roost just over an hour after sunset….WOW!

Photo gear used for this outing:

Canon EOS 80D with Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS 

Canon EOS 80D with Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS (Infrared)

Canon 1DX MK II with Canon EF Telephoto Zoom 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ATN BinoX 4K 4-16x Day and Night Smart HD Binoculars with photo/video

SiOnyx Aurora Pro Digital Color Night Vision Optics

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Blog post and photos by Craig Gibson, 2020 Crow Patrol, Lawrence, MA