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!
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.
This is the third consecutive year that I have photographed Black-billed Magpies (Pics Hudsonia) working on their nest in this same location. I’m really glad I spotted that first bird disappear into the Sagebrush that morning with something in its bill. It made me curious enough to want to stop and see what was going on and I have been well rewarded for that curiosity.
Black-billed Magpie flying towards the nest – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 264mm, natural light
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 you raise the exposure compensation too high the whites can be blown out. I find that if I expose a bit bright in the camera then bring the whites and lights down in post processing other wise if I lighten the blacks too much in editing I can bring in unwanted noise.
Black-billed Magpie leaving the nest – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/3200, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 272mm, natural light
With the right light angle the purple, blue, teal and green iridescence can be seen and photographed. These are not just plain old black and white birds. With the nest being at a certain location I can prefocus on the area where I think the birds might fly in and I find I get sharper shots that way.
Right now the Magpies are bringing in sticks and twigs to fortify the old nest and later on they will bring in mud or Bison manure to line the bottom of the nest along with soft grasses.
Black-billed Magpie in the snow – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/400, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 272mm, natural light
Two days ago when I photographed this Black-billed Magpie there was snow on the ground but the bird was still finding small twigs there to bring to the nest. They sure stand out well against the snow.
Black-billed Magpie just after lift off – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 278mm, natural light
I have found that early morning is the best time to photograph Black-billed Magpies, when the sun is higher the whites are much easier to blow out. This morning the light was wonderful but the birds weren’t as active as normal so I was only able to get a few keepable images in the time that I was with them. This Magpie had just lifted off after shoving a twig into place on top of the dome of the nest.
Black-billed Magpie coming in with nesting material – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 285mm, natural light
These last two images are of the same bird bring nesting material to the nest. I wish I would have had better eye contact but I like that I was still able to get a sliver of a catchlight in both frames and I like the action.
Black-billed Magpie landing with nesting materials – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 285mm, natural light
I am looking forward to having more time to photograph these Black-billed Magpies through their nesting season and perhaps; if I am lucky, I will be there the day that the young fledge. I have missed that the past two seasons. They are such beautiful birds.
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
