Black-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.
Black-billed Magpie lifting off from a bush with a twig – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
I dipped yesterday on the Snow Geese, they weren’t where they had been reported but I did see my first of the year Sandhill Cranes and Swallows although they were too far away to get high quality images.
But I did have some fun with Black-billed Magpies that are busy building their nest. Typically they take 40 to 50 days to build or renovate their old nests and they are very active during this time.
Black-billed Magpie flying in with nesting material – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 350mm, natural light
I use a mobile blind when photographing these Black-billed Magpies so as to not disturb their normal activity which is especially critical during nesting season or when the birds have chicks.
There was a sharp, cold wind blowing from the north yesterday and before I was finished photographing these Black-billed Magpies my hands had gone numb.
I had a great time with these birds but they are a challenge to photograph because of the high contrast between the blacks and whites and because these magpies fly fast. A challenge; yes, but I enjoy it!
White on White – Winter’s Delight – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
This winter’s snow cover has given me many opportunities to photograph high key bird and wildlife images and while some people might not find high key photos to their tastes I find that I enjoy them because of their simplicity and how the high key background allows my eyes to focus clearly on my subject’s form and beauty.
I find this image of three Tundra Swans that I photographed along the Antelope Island causeway yesterday very appealing because it is white on white. The swan on the left must not have been feeding where the two on the right were because it doesn’t have the stained plumage that they do.
Tundra Swan - Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
This Tundra Swan stayed closer to the road than the three in the photo above so I was able to capture more detail in its plumage and in the snow that covered the frozen water of the Great Salt Lake.
Canada Geese landing - Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
While I was photographing the Tundra Swans I heard the familiar call of Canada Geese flying in and as they got closer I started photographing them as they landed near the swans. I wish I would have had a little more light in both bird’s eyes but I find the poses rather dynamic and I like how I can see their shadows on the snow below them.
Black-billed Magpie on a snow-covered rock - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
It is difficult to believe that Black-billed Magpies will start building or rebuilding their nest in just a few days. They take between 40 and 50 days creating or strengthening old nests and when I start to see them carrying twigs in their bills I know spring is just around the corner. Black-billed Magpies are very industrious when it comes to nests and they will build them even when snow is falling or when the bush they are building in is covered with it too.
Black-billed Magpie stretching – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 328mm, natural light, not baited or called in
There was a bit of sun yesterday between snow falls and we headed out to Antelope Island hoping there would be light and birds. There was light and a few birds, this Black-billed Magpie was one of them. I dislike the fact that the tips of tree’s branches show that they have been clipped, that was done before the tree was planted last year. I do like the position of the wings, the fanned out tail and the light in the bird’s eye.
Osprey – Black-billed Magpie Fish Fight – Nikon D200, f6.s, 1/1250, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 257mm, natural light, not baited (OK the Osprey baited the Magpie!)
In May of this year I camped at Antelope Flat in the Flaming Gorge National recreation Area and near the boat ramp there was an Osprey nest. One of the poles near the nest seemed to be a perch that the Ospreys used to eat their prey on and this Osprey came in with a fish. Enter subject number 2, a Black-billed Magpie. Magpies are opportunistic feeders and it appeared that the Magpie was going to try to swipe the fish from the Osprey.
The Osprey won!
Mia
P.S.: My mother is visiting me on her first trip to Utah, she is going to love it! I’ll be slow to view and comment on your blogs, thanks for understanding. Please feel free to share this post with your friends and family.
Black-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
