Just a quick post today.
1/2000. f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Regular readers know I have a thing for magpies. I admire their brassy, sassy ways and at least try to see the proper exposure challenges their black and white colors present as an opportunity for growth as a photographer rather than as an obstacle.
I photographed this one in early March of last year on Antelope Island as it was taking off from a bush during an apparent inspection foray for a nesting site (magpies are early nesters). Surprisingly the photo appeals to me despite the cluttered setting because the myriad of twigs isn’t as bright and distracting as they usually are on the island, I got the exposure of the blacks and whites just about right, I like both the takeoff posture and the takeoff angle, I enjoy the layers and colors in the far background and the magpie is sufficiently sharp.
This is one of those shots where light in the eye is absolutely essential. Without it the very dark eye set against the black feathers of the face would simply disappear into a black hole of nothingness.
Ron
These birds are such elegant buffoons!!! I LOVE them!!!( hope your feeling better)…
Great shot. That prickly, obnoxious bush matches the Magpie’s personality to a “T!” 🙂
It sure does. Thanks, Marty.
I too like magpies, I like to watch them play. Beautiful.
Thanks, April.
Beautiful shot Ron! Hope you are feeling better every day and will soon be fully recovered.
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Our magpies are very different to yours (sharing only the black and white plumage and attitude) but I love them. And coincidentally as I read your post they are just starting their predawn song. And their call is delightful.
Wow, that sure doesn’t sound like our magpies, EC. They have a very different look too.
Ron, I also think that Magpies are beautiful and sassy. When they show up in our back yard the other birds scramble to get out of their way. They love to chase cats. Our neighbors cat shows up in our back yard looking for lunch [usually a dove] and the Magpie chases it very aggressively.
I was thinking about you yesterday and thought of you checking off each day against that 6 week period. It made me very happy to see your post.
I’ve seen magpies torment cats too, Alice. Gotta love them for that 🙂
Wow! This is awesome! I love magpies. It pops so vividly against the twigs! Just drove to Kansas City via Colorado Springs and one highlight was seeing the magpies in Colorado! Thanks!
I’m glad you like it, Beth Ann. Thanks.
I just have to agree with everything that’s already been said..the sparkle in the eye makes it…I’m glad you like Magpies so much..I don’t see them here in Az. where I live, so I appreciate it when I see them in your blog…I think they are beautiful….Thank you again Ron..(hope the healing is going well also)
Thanks, Steve. Some of the healing seems to be going as hoped, other things are hard to figure out.
First thing I thought of was the eye. Just enough light to catch that eye otherwise as you stated – a black hole of nothingness. I love the contrast of the black and white against the almost colorless winter twigs. Very nice. Love Magpies and whenever I see you post one I think of my Welsh friend and their superstition that you must great the first ones you see, “Good morning Mr. Magpie.” Hope you are healing a little bit every day.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
I remember you saying that about the Welsh, Everett.
Beautiful shot, Ron…… 🙂 They are beautiful but, in my world, mostly a PITA! 😉 They are good at “telling you” where coyotes etc. are however.. 😉 You’re right about having to have the catch light in the eye! 🙂
A lot of folks feel that way about magpies, Judy. I’ll admit that I’ve had similar feelings about them at times but mostly I really like them.
‘Black hole of nothingness’…so very true. The tiniest of sparkle in the eye makes all the difference. Great photo…with the shiny black and white. Do the magpies migrate or are they in your area year round…not a bird we have here is WI.
We have magpies year round, Kathy. That makes me happy.
I am struck by the elegant, crisp appearance of the Magpie emerging from the chaos of the shrub. The iridescence of the wing and the catchlight in the eye are clinchers. Beautiful.
Thank you, Lyle. I like that contrast too.