I rarely post photos of the same species two days in a row but yesterday I spent more time with magpies and I like these two images well enough to make an exception. More than well enough, actually.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This bird and its mate were building their nest on Antelope Island when I caught it leaving after a delivery of nesting material. The magpies are at the stage where they alternate between bringing twigs and bringing mud to the nest but this bird’s bill wasn’t muddy as they sometimes were.
I like this shot a lot. I don’t have messy twigs behind the bird, some iridescence is showing, the bird is sharp, I have a good light angle, I like the flight posture and those curled feet almost in silhouette add a nice touch.
1/5000, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
And in the very next frame of the burst I was lucky enough to get another shot I like. In a tenth of a second the magpie had begun to bank away from me which gave me a good look at its ventral side in good light. I had to add canvas in front of the bird for composition but I was still happy to get the shot. I see it as a bonus after getting the first one.
Based on the length of a magpie’s body (19″) and the relative distance between the bird and the twigs below the bird in both shots I estimate that the magpie had traveled only about 6-7″ between the two shots so this banking maneuver was done very quickly, especially for such a large bird.
I realize that not everyone loves magpies but they’re one of my favorite photo subjects. Their behaviors are fascinating, they’re very smart and they’re a huge challenge to expose properly so photographing them is nearly always a learning experience on one level or another.
And you’re in for a real treat if you ever get to hear the cute little gurgling sounds they make while they’re inside their domed nests. I don’t hear them make that sound elsewhere.
Ron
The second one is my favorite. It really took my breath away. It’s so vibrant!
Thank you, Arwen.
Beautiful pictures. I haven’t got a problem seeing the same bird two days in a row. Thanks for sharing.
Good. Maybe I should do it more often. Thanks, Betty.
Please keep taking pictures of Magpies. They are by far my favorite bird. I love their antics.
Hi Brenda, I’ll keep taking them as long as they cooperate.
Absolutely stunning shots Ron !!
Thank you, Tjie.
Ron,
So… three days this week our paths have crossed as we search for birds. We should carpool! 🙂
Anyway, great magpie shots the last two days. I feel like I got my first really good shot of Magpies this week. They were close and very cooperative; “sticky,” as you say. I hope you will post pictures from this morning soon so I can compare and see just how far away I am from great shots like yours. (Same bird, pitch, angle, lighting, distance should make for a good progress check for me as I try to improve.) Hopefully the new lens will help but I fear it is I and not the equipment that keeps me from greatness. (Something about a carpenter and his tools comes to mind.)
Anyway, love your shots everyday… an inspiration and goal!
Best,
Stephen
Thanks, Stephen. Was that you this morning in the red Jeep? I don’t pay much attention to anything unless it has feathers… 🙂
If so that was tough shooting for a variety of reasons. I’ll probably be posting some of this morning’s shots over the next few days.
What lens is your new one?
Ron,
Yes to the red Jeep. I wanted to chase the two of them back south but thought I should give the expert some room.
I’m looking at the new Nikon 500 mm 5.6. The 4.0 was four times the cost and I would have to add the cost of divorce to that! So I guess we’ll have to settle for the 5.6. However………?
Stephen
If you get it I hope you like it.
I tried to find them again to the south but they must have chased that Golden Eagle all the way to Provo – couldn’t find them again.
Beautiful shots yesterday and today. I like the little rascals — they are fascinating birds. Love the shadow the left primaries make on the right wing in the first shot.
We’re getting a preview of summer today and tomorrow with sunny skies and low 80s. Hopefully, that weather system will make it over to you so you can get some good photography days in. 🙂
Thanks, Marty. Yes, we have good weather forecast for the next few days so I have high hopes!
Oh WOW, Magpies back to back!! I’m loving it. Ron!!! They are both wonderful but my fav is the 1st one. It reminds me a little of your capture you have hanging over your fireplace. You & Shannon were standing in front of that fireplace with the Magpie on the wall. She was there for a visit. I’ve only seen them in your photos. Would LOVE to see them in the wild some day!!
Jo Ann, I have a Facebook friend who says that when I take photos of folks in front of the fireplace it looks like at least one of the people in the shot is wearing a magpie hat. She’s right…
Ron, what a treat. Magpie photos two days in a row. These remarkable photos really show off the white on the tip of the wings. I also love the position of the feet.
Thank you
I’m glad you like them, Alice. Thank you.
Yup, excellent shots of what I consider is a fun bird to watch when we were out west, long, long time ago!
Most of our snow is gone due to the last three days above 40. We will be getting back to reality this PM. Supposed to be getting colder. March is mud month around here, but we have had avian activity that suggest we are not the only ones looking forward to or thinking spring is right around the corner.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Dick. Good luck with your muddy March!
NatGeo worthy shots Ron. Beautiful colors and the wings in both shots are exceptional. Amateur photographers like me appreciate how special it is to get photos like these of birds in flight. Two days in a row of Magpies is fine anytime. My Welsh friends I told you about would have to greet them with a hearty “Good morning Mr. Magpie.”
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Sounds like your Welsh friends respect magpies, Everett. I wish everyone did.
Beautiful shots, Ron! 🙂 Really captured the redeeming features of the magpies – the iridescence of some feathers, the way they are spread, the shadows of the left wing on the right wing in the first photo. Body position with spread wing feathers is great in the 2nd. photo……:) Yes, they DO “talk” in the nest building process while inside even if the rest of their vocabulary isn’t as pleasant. 😉
I’m glad you’ve heard them “talking” in the nest, Judy. Hearing those gurgling, chortling sounds makes me smile every time.
Fantastic shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Wow, two posts about magpies in two days! Beautiful photos Ron, all the colors compliment each other nicely!
I SO agree, Xavier!!
Thank you, Xavier.
Spectacular! I think you may need to install another fireplace! Wonderful way to start the day. Thanks again, Ron.
“I think you may need to install another fireplace!”
I had a similar thought, Diane – except that mine was more along the line of fitting another magpie photo or two up there… 🙂
Those are absolutely gorgeous Ron, I could not choose a favorite if I had to. Since we don’t have magpies here and I’ve not seen them up close, these photos show me something I did not realize before. The white is graduated inwards from the end to form that beautiful design…I guess I thought just the tips were brushed with black. They are a well assembled bird right down to the swoop of the tail! 😍 Isn’t it wonderful to sit and listen to the sounds, so species specific and sometimes season specific for a short time. on another note…flooding everywhere here. 10-12 of our rivers are affected in the area…even all the schools in Green Bay were closed yesterday because of it. Hard to drive anywhere without having to find a new route to get there.
“They are a well assembled bird right down to the swoop of the tail!”
That says it perfectly, Kathy. Good luck with your flooding. We may have a similar problem if it warms up quickly later the spring.