In my view iridescence nearly always enhances a magpie photo but the angle of light has to be just right for it to show up at all.
1/2500, 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
The iridescent blues and greens only show up on their wings and tail but with that long, flashy tail it can look quite spectacular. Most folks think of magpie colors being limited to black and white so it can be an eye-opener when the photographer is able to pick up a significant amount of iridescence. I photographed this magpie on Antelope Island two years ago this month. I didn’t have enough depth of field to get the right wing as sharp as I like but for me that isn’t an image-killer.
Black-billed Magpies are early nesters, usually beginning nest-building activities on warm days in January and February and (in Utah) laying their only clutch in early to mid-April. For me their nesting activities are usually one of the first harbingers of spring.
And with our scary-warm winter this year they’re probably ahead of schedule.
Ron
I like how you manage to capture magpies.
Stunning bird and photograph!!
BEAUTIFUL!!! Almost as nice as the one you have hanging on your wall…That one can’t be beat….a picture of one with a Cheeto might be interesting, even without the iridescence…because of the black and orange( I am assuming, of course, that you are NOT referring to the great, white-eyed Cheato in the White House…that would be sickening!)
I agree, Patty – don’t think I’ll ever top that one I have hanging over my fireplace. I’m glad you like this one though.
Wow great photo. There are lots of Magpies (aka Camp Robbers) in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming. I have never noticed the iridescent colors, I need to look a little closer next time. Do the colors show up more when sun is shinning on them and in flight?
Yes, Trudy. Direct sunlight is almost a prerequisite. You have a better chance in flight simply because there’s more surface area of the bird exposed.
Ah Trudy, I loved the three years I lived in Ranchester, Wyoming! I’d have moved back, but I can’t deal with the cold anymore. I think part of the reason for that was pulling Mariah (female redtail) out of the Tongue River when she missed catching her duck(s) during the winter. That water was COLD!! Oh but I loved it while I was there.
How lucky you were to get such a beautiful shot showing the iridescence. Being able to share it with all of us must give you great pleasure.
Magpies can be very noisy and sometimes “pushy”. We have one at our house that likes to chase the cat that lives across the road when the cat comes to our yard. The cat keeps very close to the house in an attempt to shield itself from the Magpie. Not a pretty scene!
Thanks for the great photo and narrative, Ron.
Ha, gotta admit, Alice. I’d be applauding the magpie… 🙂
Yes, you have my applause too, as the cat hangs around and attacks the birds in our yard, which makes me crazy to no end! I love your comment, to no end!! It makes me laugh.
I rarely have seen magpies and do not remember seeing the iridescence. This is beautiful!
Thank you, Ken.
Makes me smile!
🙂
Beautiful! I especially like the way one wing casts a shadow on the other. Makes me think of those infinity mirrors.
Thank you, Marty.
I’’m a fan of magpies…..love this shot!
Me too. Thanks, LS.
What a glorious image (not to be ridiculously redundant again)! I absolutely love magpies–well, the whole darn corvid family! I’m pretty bummed that magpies don’t live here, but I’ve got crows and ravens. Still…that magpie iridescence is pretty darn spectacular! And their nests are something to behold!
Laura, there was actually a nest in the bush this bird took off from.
Magpies have evolved to make a nest with a roof. Soon, they’ll build a split-level duplex…LOL! 🙂
That background (I’m guessing scrub brush of some sort) makes a perfect palette to show of that iridescence! Very nice work, too, in getting a flight shot, not to mention a good balance of contrast. Tough on dark and light colored birds. Well, for mere mortals, it is.
Wally, that background is dried grass. Thank you.
Magpies DO have beautiful iridescence – one of the few things I like about them! 😉 Love the shadow of the let wing on the right wing………..
Yup, lots of folks don’t appreciate magpies much, Judy. Me, I’m a big fan except for a couple of years when they nested in a tree right next to my house. Talk about noise!
Spectacular shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Wow…truly a beautiful bird in that light! Excellent capture.That long tail is something else! I didn’t know about this bird until a drive to Montana two years ago. I was at a rest stop, saw it, and proceeded to follow it all over trying to get a picture. Finally got the picture but it had a ‘cheeto’ in its mouth…not a keeper and it did not show this iridescence.
They don’t show iridescence often, Kathy and when they do it’s usually only for a moment and just a small amount of it. Yes, magpies will eat just about anything…