City Crow Close-Up: Observing Wildlife in Urban Spaces (都会のカラスのクローズアップ：都市空間で野生生物を観察する) [B2 Level]

Introduction

[SHOW PHOTO]

Take a moment to look at this photograph. What do you notice? This image captures a crow in a surprisingly close-up perspective, set against a backdrop that blends urban and natural elements. It’s more than just a picture of a bird; it’s an invitation to observe the wildlife that exists even in our built environments. In this lesson, we will explore how to describe this photo in detail, focusing on using precise vocabulary and grammar structures suitable for B2 level English learners. We’ll also consider how this image prompts us to think about the relationship between nature and urban life.

Key Vocabulary

Let’s learn some useful words to describe this photograph effectively.

Vocabulary	Japanese Translation	Definition	Example Sentence
perched	止まっている	(verb) to sit or be balanced on something high and narrow	The crow is perched on the railing.
railing	手すり	(noun) a barrier made of horizontal rails supported by posts	It sits confidently on the wooden railing.
foreground	前景	(noun) the part of a view that is nearest to the observer, especially in a picture or photograph	The crow dominates the foreground of the photo.
background	背景	(noun) the area or scenery behind the main object of contemplation, especially in a picture	Houses and fields form the background.
overcast	曇り空の	(adjective) covered with clouds; dull	The sky is overcast, suggesting a muted light.
scrutinize	じっくり観察する	(verb) to examine or inspect closely and thoroughly	The crow seems to scrutinize the viewer.
intent	熱心な、真剣な	(adjective) showing earnest and eager attention	It has an intent gaze.
avian	鳥の、鳥類の	(adjective) relating to birds	This is a fascinating example of avian wildlife in the city.
urban	都市の	(adjective) relating to a town or city	The urban background contrasts with the bird.
rural	田舎の	(adjective) in, relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town	Beyond the houses, we see a more rural landscape.

(Pronunciation Note): Pay attention to the stress in words like ‘foreground’ (FORE-ground), ‘background’ (BACK-ground), and ‘scrutinize’ (SCROO-tin-ize). For Japanese speakers, practice the ‘r’ and ‘l’ sounds in ‘railing’ and ‘rural’. Try saying “railing” slowly and deliberately, focusing on the tongue position for each sound.

Photo Description

Here is a detailed description of the photo. Read it carefully and notice how the vocabulary from above is used.

In the foreground of the photograph, a large crow is perched prominently on a wooden railing. The bird, entirely black except for its dark grey beak and legs, faces directly towards the camera, its gaze appearing intent and almost confrontational. The detail is sharp, allowing us to scrutinize its feathers and intelligent eyes.

Moving into the background, we see a typical Japanese suburban scene. Houses with tiled roofs and muted colours are visible, interspersed with utility poles and wires. Beyond the houses, the landscape opens up slightly to reveal what looks like dry fields or grassy areas, suggesting a blend of urban and rural environments. The sky is overcast, casting a soft, diffused light over the entire scene. The composition of the photo is quite striking, with the crow taking up a significant portion of the frame, emphasizing its presence in this seemingly ordinary setting.

Grammar Focus: Participle Clauses for Concise Description

In the description, you might have noticed phrases like “perched prominently” and “facing directly”. These are examples of participle clauses, which are useful for making descriptions more concise and fluent.

What are Participle Clauses?

Participle clauses are reduced relative clauses or adverbial clauses. They use participles (present participle – ing form, or past participle – ed form for regular verbs, or irregular past participle forms) to add extra information efficiently.

Type of Participle Clause	Example in Photo Description	Function
Past Participle	“a large crow is perched prominently”	Describes a state or condition resulting from an action (passive meaning).
Present Participle	“The bird, entirely black… facing directly towards the camera”	Describes an action happening at the same time as the main verb (active meaning).

Grammar Chart:

	Past Participle Clause	Present Participle Clause
Form	Past Participle (e.g., perched, taken, built)	Present Participle (-ing form, e.g., facing, sitting, flying)
Meaning	Passive or completed action	Active or simultaneous action
Example for Photo	The crow, perched on the railing, looks curious.	The crow, facing the camera, seems bold.

Practice Activities:

1. Sentence Combining: Combine the sentences using participle clauses. a) The house is in the background. It has a grey roof.
   -> _____________________________________________ b) The crow is on the railing. It is looking at us.
   -> _____________________________________________ c) The photograph was taken in the daytime. It shows an overcast sky.
   -> _____________________________________________
2. Error Correction: Correct the errors in the sentences below, which are common mistakes for learners using participle clauses. a) The bird perching on the fence, it is black. -> _____________________________________________
   b) Taken by a photographer, the photo is very clear. -> _____________________________________________
   c) The houses are locating in the background. -> _____________________________________________

(Japanese Learner Note): Japanese learners sometimes overuse relative clauses where participle clauses are more natural in English. Also, be careful not to add extra subjects or auxiliary verbs when forming participle clauses. For example, avoid saying “The bird which is perched…” when “The bird perched…” is sufficient and more concise.

Activities

1. Vocabulary Matching Quiz (H5P – Digital Integration):
   [Teacher to create an H5P activity – Drag and Drop or Multiple Choice. Example: Match vocabulary words to their definitions or example sentences from the lesson. H5P link/embed here if possible, otherwise describe how to access it separately].
   (15 minutes)
2. Describe the Background (Speaking in Pairs):
   In pairs, Student A describes the background of the photo without looking at the description text. Student B listens and asks clarifying questions. Then swap roles and Student B describes the foreground. Focus on using the vocabulary from the lesson.
   (20 minutes)
3. Composition Analysis (Group Discussion):
   In small groups, discuss the following questions about the photo’s composition.
   • Why do you think the photographer chose to focus so closely on the crow?
   • How does the overcast sky affect the mood of the photograph?
   • What feeling do you get from the contrast between the natural element (the crow) and the urban background?
     Share your ideas with the class.
     (20 minutes)

Production Task: “Another Urban Wildlife Photo”

Imagine you took a photo of another example of wildlife in an urban setting in Japan (it could be a tanuki, a stray cat, pigeons in a park, etc.). Describe your imagined photo in a short paragraph (150-200 words). Try to use at least 5 vocabulary words from this lesson and use participle clauses where appropriate to make your description fluent and detailed.

Success Criteria:

• Uses at least 5 vocabulary words from the lesson correctly.
• Uses at least 2 participle clauses effectively.
• Description is clear and easy to understand.
• Paragraph is between 150-200 words.

Sample Strong Response:

“In my photograph, a fluffy tanuki is captured rummaging through a brightly colored garbage bin. Positioned in a narrow alleyway behind a busy ramen shop, the tanuki seems oblivious to the urban chaos surrounding it. The bin, overflowing with discarded food wrappers and plastic bottles, forms a stark contrast to the tanuki’s wild nature. The morning light, filtering through the tall buildings, casts long shadows across the scene, highlighting the tanuki’s thick fur. This image, taken in the heart of Tokyo, reminds us that wildlife persists even in the most densely populated cities.”

Assessment Rubric:

Criteria	Excellent (3 points)	Good (2 points)	Needs Improvement (1 point)
Vocabulary Use	5+ vocab words used correctly and appropriately.	3-4 vocab words used correctly.	Less than 3 vocab words used or used incorrectly.
Grammar (Participles)	2+ participle clauses used effectively and accurately.	1-2 participle clauses used, mostly accurately.	Participle clauses not used or used inaccurately.
Clarity & Description	Description is very clear, detailed, and engaging.	Description is generally clear and understandable.	Description is difficult to understand in parts.
Length & Completeness	Paragraph is within word count and fulfills task.	Paragraph is slightly outside word count, task mostly fulfilled.	Paragraph is significantly outside word count, task not fully fulfilled.

(Self-Assessment): After writing your paragraph, check yourself against the success criteria and the rubric. What are you most proud of in your description? What could you improve next time?

Listening Component

[Teacher to record an audio description of the photo, similar to the written description but slightly different. Focus on clear pronunciation and natural speed. Script below for recording.]

(Audio Script for Teacher to Record):

“Let’s listen to a description of the photograph again. This time, listen for specific details about the background and the crow’s expression. Is there anything you notice that wasn’t mentioned in the written description?”

[Play Audio Recording – Duration approx. 1-2 minutes]

(Example Audio Description):

“The photo presents a striking close-up of a crow. It’s perched right on the edge of a railing, making it seem very near to us, the viewers. The crow is jet black, and its feathers look quite detailed in the clear light, even though the sky is overcast. Its beak is strong and sharp, and its eyes are dark and seem to be looking directly at you, almost as if it’s studying you. Behind the crow, the background is a mix of houses and some open land. You can see rooftops and utility poles, typical of a suburban area. Further back, the land seems to open up into fields, maybe even farmland. The overall impression is a common scene in Japan, but the crow’s very direct gaze makes it quite an arresting image.”

(Listening Task: Comprehension Questions):

Answer these questions after listening to the audio.

1. What is the crow doing in the photo?
2. How does the audio description describe the crow’s eyes?
3. What kind of background is mentioned in the audio?
4. What is the overall impression of the photo according to the audio?

(Answer Key): 1. Perched on a railing. 2. Dark and seem to be looking directly at you, studying you. 3. A mix of houses and open land, rooftops, utility poles, fields, farmland (suburban area). 4. A common scene in Japan, but the crow’s direct gaze makes it arresting.

Additional Resources

• Bird Identification Websites: Explore websites like the “Merlin Bird ID” app or “eBird” to learn more about crows and other birds you might see in urban environments.
• Photography Blogs/Websites: Look at photography websites that discuss composition and techniques for nature and wildlife photography. Search for terms like “wildlife composition,” “urban nature photography.”

Additional Activities Recommendations

1. Photo Re-creation Challenge: Try to take your own photo of urban wildlife, inspired by this lesson. Focus on composition and capturing an interesting perspective. Share your photos and descriptions with classmates.
2. Comparative Photo Analysis: Find another photograph of a crow or another urban animal. Compare and contrast the composition, mood, and message of that photo with the photo in this lesson. Write a short comparative analysis.

Differentiation Strategies

• For learners needing more support: Provide sentence starters for the production task, focusing on participle clause structures. Review basic sentence combining techniques before activity 1.
• For faster learners: Encourage them to research different species of crows and compare their characteristics in their descriptions. Challenge them to analyze the symbolism of crows in different cultures.
• For visual learners: Use annotations on the photo to highlight foreground, background, and compositional elements.
• For kinesthetic learners: Have students physically arrange objects to represent the composition of the photo and describe their arrangement.

This lesson aims to develop your descriptive English skills while also encouraging observation and critical thinking about the world around you. Enjoy exploring the details of this photograph and expanding your vocabulary!

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