Photograph and text by Robert Melone
From the Winter 2021 issue

I was kayaking around several islands looking for shorebirds to photograph. Suddenly, out of nowhere, came this black-backed gull in the water with a blue crab in its mouth. I immediately turned my kayak to position myself so I could capture the scene in good morning light. Then I grabbed my Nikon camera with telephoto lens, bent down in the kayak to get a good perspective, and fired off several shots before the gull took flight to enjoy its prized catch in private. It all happened so quickly, but certainly was a moment I’ll never forget!