Typically this second image is one I would have missed because I’d have anticipated the wrong direction for take-off.
1/2500, f/6,3, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning I once again found the Black-billed Magpies busily constructing their nest on Antelope Island. Though it cleared up later in the morning, when these shots were taken we had cloud cover so I was challenged for shutter speed for flight shots and was happy to have the improved noise performance of the Canon 7D Mark II at higher ISO settings.
Here the bird with nesting material had landed on a perch just above the nest. Almost without exception the magpie would have taken off in the direction that it is facing so I would typically allow extra room in front of the bird so I had less chance of clipping or cutting off body parts in flight. However, I knew where the nest was and knew where this bird was likely going with the nesting material so I framed the following shot differently and hoped for the best.
1/2000, f/6,3, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
The magpie twisted and turned on its perch at take-off and headed down toward the nest. If I had framed this shot based on the direction it was facing I’d have butchered the bird. Even so, there was still a significant element of luck involved in getting the shot.
The more I look at this image the more I like it (in most ways). The twisting posture, wing position, head turn, nesting material and the physical reaction of the tail to the twisting maneuver all appeal to me.
Side note: The more I photograph magpies the more I wonder about iridescence, its purpose and how it evolved. I’ve noticed that I never get those iridescent metallic blue-green colors on the ventral surfaces of the wing and tail even when the light angle is appropriate for revealing them if they were there. I’m thinking that iridescence in magpies must have some kind of social/communicative function (both sexes have it) but I’ve never been able to discover precisely what it might be.
Ron
The second one looks like a it’s a “touch and go”. 😀 Fun.
Love that take-off shot. Clearly, local knowledge contributed to the success of this photo. I’m starting to appreciate the beauty of magpies more, since I’ve been seeing more of them here.
Ellie Baby, I’m with you….flexibility, flight , and iridescent beauty!!!(actually, I’ll settle on any kind of beauty, especially if I can fly)…
Being as supple as a brick I have long yearned for the flexibility of a cat.
This shot makes me think I have been aiming too low. Magpie flexibility AND flight. Win, win. And beauty would be another bonus.
Don’t say anything…but the evil iPad is still doing ots rhing…ex. Please…just ignore it….
Gotta love that evil iPad, Patty…
Great shot! I love the uncluttered background and beautiful pose. As they say, sometimes better lucky than good!
Larry, As you well know, luck (of both varieties) is a huge part of bird photography.
Both images are beautiful…the second is obviously. A “Fancy Dancer” doing the traditional “Nest Building Dance”…I can almost hear the pow wow drums and feel their rythm beating in my heart every time I look at it…
I wouldn’t be surprised if they danced, Patty. I’ve seen them do some pretty interesting things (and make some pretty unique sounds) in all the time I’ve spent with them during their nest building.
DY–NAMIC!!
Thank you, Kris.
Beauty!
Thanks, Nancy.