Black-billed Magpies aren’t appreciated by everyone. Their raucous behavior and scavenging habits put some folks off but I’m quite fond of them for their relatively high intelligence and incredibly interesting behaviors (examples – they conduct ritualistic “funerals” of up to 40 birds around the dead bodies of other magpies and you haven’t lived until you’ve seen one tormenting a cat by repeatedly pulling its tail).
That said, they’re very difficult photographic subjects. Their black plumage soaks in the light while the bright white feathers reflect nearly all of it so getting exposure and detail in the overall bird is incredibly challenging. I probably delete a higher percentage of images I take of magpies than I do of any other species I regularly photograph which makes getting an image I like especially rewarding . I enjoy meeting the challenge…
1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4
When the light’s at the right angle you can sometimes get impressive iridescence in the blacks which also helps to bring out some of the detail there. This bird had just taken off from the sagebrush that its nest is deeply buried in. And it was even considerate enough to give me a pleasing head turn and eye contact as it did so.
I’ve photographed this bird and its mate at their nesting site for three years now (and yes I’m very careful not to disturb them). Can’t wait for early spring to try it again.
Ron
Nice Photo! I posted it on my Facebook page with the following poem I wrote. I gave you credit for the photo!
Don’t be afraid to ask.
I was driving the Missoula Flood path back in March.
East of the Cascades where the Magpie live
I watched them play on the fence posts and poles
While I drove the miles from A to B.
I really wanted a Magpie feather.
So the next pair of Magpie I saw from my car I asked.
Magpie, Magpie, do you have a feather for me?
I drove a while longer when the answer came.
Pull over now and go out into that field
sang the song inside my mind.
So I did. I parked. I walked. I found.
One Magpie feather in the sagebrush
not the cherished tail feather
but I was not specific when I asked.
I got one of the iridescent wing feathers
I gave a replica Lewis and Clark medallion in exchange
one of the small ones, where the mint is not clear.
It seemed like a fair exchange to me
and Magpie love shiny things.
I am (not yet, at least) a frequenter of this site, but was led here by Google and had to log in to say that this is a stunning image. Thank you very much for sharing.
I’ve always enjoyed watching magpies, but you’ve opened my eyes to their beauty.
Very nice!
Awesome!
wonderful!!
wonderful!!
So different to ours – though it seems the intelligence is something our magpies share. One of our magpies crapped on a cat sitting beneath it chittering. I am certain that it was a deliberate act by the magpie. The cat shot indoors, quite distressed.
Our wattle birds swoop the cats but I have never seen tail pulling. It would be quite a sight.
Thank you. I love this shot.
“Crapped on a cat”! That’s absolutely hilarious and a sight I’d love to have seen.
Thanks Bob. I can tell that you’ve had the same frustrating experiences I’ve had with this species.
Great shot of the Magpie in flight. I know how difficult shots like that can be. Like you, I end up trashing more than I keep.