Adult Black-billed Magpie with nesting material – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
It is Black-billed Magpie nesting season on Antelope Island State Park and throughout their breeding range in western North America. On the island the magpies have been busy either creating new nests or refurbishing old nests since late January or early February. It can take 40 to 50 days or longer for the magpies to build a new nest. Most Black-billed Magpie nests have a dome over the main bowl of the nest to protect their young from aerial predators.
Finding the magpies isn’t usually much of a challenge since they are large black and white birds that are abundant where I live. They are also quite noisy and while some people hate to hear them, I enjoy hearing their calls.
Black-billed Magpies are not easy birds to expose correctly because of the combination of bright white and black plumage. The blacks can block up easily if the exposure compensation is not set right and if I raise the exposure compensation too high the whites can be blown out.
Yesterday morning while photographing a pair of Black-billed Magpies building a nest I was able to take a few images of the adult magpies flying in with nesting material. The problem I usually have is getting a nice clean background instead of the bright to white branches of the greasewood where they are building the nest behind or in front of the birds. The grasses and shrubs on the island have just begun to green up and I’d prefer to have them in the background rather than the winter and sun-bleached grasses and forbs that are found on the island during this part of the year.
There have been times that I have written that one good bird can make my day. Yesterday it was one good image.
When I took this photo of the adult Black-billed Magpie flying into the nest with a small twig in its bill I liked what I saw on my camera’s LCD screen. When I viewed it at home on my large monitor I appreciated it even more. I have a nice clean background with just a hint of green spring grasses, eye contact with the magpie, and a lovely pose.
Taking this one photo was the highlight of my day.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Black-billed Magpie photos plus facts and information about this species.
Stunning shot. The Magpies colors are spectacular. I love ’em but they sure are a bunch of Chatty Cathy’s when they get together. Thanks Mia.
Outdid yourself Mia. Gorgeous photo
Fantastic shot of a hard-working bird, Mia! I love the blue iridescence.
Your magpies are perhaps more beautiful than ours – but I prefer the song that our magpies sing. It is home to me. You can here it HERE (and I hope you can skip the ad.
EC, one of my fondest memories of my first trip to Australia was listening to your magpies and Currawongs singing in the morning as I sat watching the ocean waves on the beach. It was a time of healing for me and a time of new beginnings. The story didn’t turn out the way I thought it might but life, life is good.
What a wonderful song, EC!
Isn’t it. Many of our birds are NOT musical but the magpie (and the currawong as Mia observed) are both lovely. And I hear them most days.
Really great shot in all respects – thanks.
Love this shot!!!
So beautiful…and sassy!
Wow!!! Beautiful image! Excellent shot!