Black-billed Magpies just can’t be trusted and yesterday morning this bird proved it again. Twice.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I spent some more time with the nest building magpies yesterday and once again they were devilishly difficult to photograph well. My preference is to catch them taking off or in flight, especially this time of year because the greasewoods these birds prefer for nesting are particularly unattractive before they turn green.
When this one landed in a fairly open spot on a greasewood I was determined to get flight shots when “he” eventually took off so typical of my usual strategy I framed him with extra room in the direction he was facing to give me room to catch him in flight without cutting off body parts with his wings open.
Aggravating magpie habit #1:
- Especially when other magpies are nearby this species tends to repeatedly perform what I call “fake takeoffs” where they quickly raise their tail, often calling at the same time as they crouch down (which is what this bird is doing though in this shot I didn’t catch him calling.) It nearly always fakes me out so I usually fire a quick burst of shots that are wasted.
Aggravating magpie habit #2:
- While anticipating takeoff I took 44 shots of him and in none of them was he facing to my left – he was always facing to my right (or occasionally facing me) so it was to my right that I left extra room in the frame. But dammit, I should have known that he’d very quickly turn to my left and take off in the “wrong” direction which they have a strong habit of doing.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
With him taking off in the wrong direction the only reasons I was able to keep him completely in frame and still have room for acceptable composition was because I wasn’t very close to him and I’d had the foresight to remove my teleconverter.
This and the following shot are both cropped to only 42.5% of the original image, 8.5 of 20 MP.
1/6400, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I like both flight shots because they’re sharp, the magpie is mostly clear of the greasewood, I have catchlights in his eye, the difficult blacks and whites are exposed well and I captured some nice iridescence.
I look at photos like these as significant victories, in part because I came out on top of the notorious magpie trickster. That doesn’t happen every day or even every week.
Ron
PS – At the last minute I decided to include another shot from yesterday morning of what may be the same magpie. The photo is only of documentary quality so it doesn’t deserve a standalone post but I still think it’s interesting enough to see the light of day.
In this context I think of it as a “bonus image.”
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
The magpie had landed on top of the nest bush just out of frame at upper right when he took off to deliver nesting material to the nest buried in the middle of the bush. The nest entrance is out of frame at lower right which meant that he had to very quickly turn 180° as he descended to the entrance.
That tricky aerial maneuver resulted in an unusual flight posture that fascinates me with his body twisted like this and his beautiful tail feathers all a jumble. I think the nesting material in his bill makes his intention more obvious.
I wish I had light in his eye but I still enjoy looking at the photo so I thought readers might also.
If bird photography were easy, we’d all be out there doing it. Thanks for sticking with it through all the ups and downs. I learn something every day from your posts.
The greenish-blue iridescence of the tail feathers in the fourth photo reminds me of the interior of a paua shell some friends brought me from New Zealand. It’s a tiny detail, but I especially like the curl of the feet in the third photo. These birds really have it going on!
Late comment, I know…but these elegant tricksters are so beautiful…and you capture that beauty so darned well…
I’m glad you think so. Thank you, Patty.
I just wrote about antics of Magpies-they are tricksters indeed. We have lots of Magpies here, but I don’t have many photos and it isn’t for lack of trying. They have teased animals as well as myself because just when I try to get the shot, they take off. I love what you captured here.
Thanks, Jane. Magpies used to repeatedly pull the tails of my neighbor’s cats, much to their consternation and to my delight.
You really nailed the lighting on the feathers for these photos, as you’ve done for other Magpie photos. Remarkable! I remember the iridescence of the Magpie feathers and that it could only be seen as they moved and was so fleeting and ephemeral; as it is with hummingbirds, maybe more so.
I think that the manuever in the last photo might have required a visit to the ER, or at least a featheropractor.
Damn, Lyle – the last word in your comment really cracked me up! I’m still chuckling and I needed it – today’s been a tough day (thankfully not with health problems though).
Your photos show off the beauty of their feathers. I was on a non-birding trip to Ireland and people couldn’t understand why I wanted to photograph magpies……locals considered them a nuisance….but I think they’re beautiful.
Lots of folks here consider them a nuisance too. And they can be. But in spite of all that they’re wonderful, beautiful birds.
Ron, beautiful photos of such a beautiful bird… wow!! I’m new to your work, well, of bird photos in general, so thank you very much! I just can’t even tell you how much I love all of these…
Thanks
Sheila
Very glad to hear it, Sheila. Thanks.
The background colors, near-white twigs that almost resemble lace, contrast to the bird itself, and color shift on the feathers made me draw breath. Of those, only the iridescence seemed to be noteworthy to you. I am humbled. Those are lovely to look at. Only later did I really appreciate the decisive moments in flight and the importance of reflected light in the eye.
Thanks for your interesting observations, Phoebe.
You need to be grateful for outsmarting this one – they will all be on their mettle now.
That last shot? Definitely a bonus. Who knew that flight was possible from that position?
They’re ALWAYS on their mettle, EC. They don’t let up.
Re your bonus image: You wouldn’t think tail feathers could do THAT! 😳
As for the others, I just love those beautiful wings and all that iridescence … for some reason, his wings in the take-off shot remind me of a stained glass.
Your aggravation, my enjoyment! 😉
Good. Thanks, Chris.
I’ll say it: Magpies can be assholes! In spite of their propensity, you have shown us 4 pretty spectacular shots — especially the last one. 🙂
I won’t argue with you about that anal sphincter thing, Marty. Yesterday there was a lady in line at the grocery store that was cussing magpies as I waited behind her – their reputation is widespread but I love’m anyway.
The greasewood and background sure frame these beautiful birds nicely. That first shot really sets the stage for the frustration to follow.
Seems like you should be able to issue them a traffic ticket for driving the wrong way.
“Seems like you should be able to issue them a traffic ticket for driving the wrong way.”
If I thought it might have an effect I’d sure as hell give it a shot, Dave!
Too fun/funny! 🙂 They definitely know how to be evasive and “vamoose” when least expected and in unexpected ways! Last photo is amazing for the magpie’s ability to contort and get where it needs to go! Horrendous winds moving dirt again yesterday (and probably the next couple of days) causing accidents and 87 N towards Ft. Benton closed again. Not amusing in our area either tho, at least at the house not as bad as the last round. Glad it wasn’t moving snow BUT
Thanks, Judy. Good luck with that wind!
That greasewood might be unattractive but the Magpie’s colors really show up well against it. When I started reading the post comments this morning with references to what I said before I even commented was confusing until I saw that it was another Everett, but with one t instead of two. As with Everet Regal, we also do not have Magpies here in north central Arizona. Wish we did. I especially like that last twisting take off photo. It is truly an original. Don’t think I have seen a bird takeoff photo quite like it.
Ha, I’ll bet that did confuse you at first, Everett (with 2 t’s). I did a double take too… 🙂
As Everet, I wish we had these birds. I think they are sucha beautiful bird(though challenging for sure) and you captured them well! I envy your take-off shots and even the last photo. I remember following a couple of them all over a rest stop out west trying to get photos. A great looking magpie with a French-fry in it’s mouth does not even come close to a good picture though… 🙂
A French fry in the mouth is fairly typical of them, Kathy. The love to hang around dumpsters on Antelope Island.
Your two take-off shots are stunning! Exceptional flight positions, with complimentary habitat and background. I wish we had them here in the east, so I could “enjoy” struggling with the black and white feather exposures, too. 🙂
All I can say is that there’d be a lot for you to “enjoy”, Everet. I don’t even attempt to photograph magpies when the sun isn’t low in the sky – that black and white exposure is just too difficult.