Iridescent colors of a Black-billed Magpie, Antelope Island State Park, Davis County, UtahBlack-billed Magpie – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Most of the time Black-billed Magpies look like they are just black and white but if the bird’s pose and the light is just right there can be a wonderful flash of iridescent blue, green, teal, gold and even hints of purple.

Yesterday this Black-billed Magpie turned in flight while I was photographing it which allowed me a great dorsal view that showed the iridescent colors well. I do wish the out of focus bush hadn’t been in the frame or that it had been sharply in focus but I couldn’t resist sharing the image because of the beautiful colors.

Mia

The background in this image is the frozen water of the Great Salt Lake.

Click here to see more of my Black-billed Magpie photos plus facts and information about this species.