Black-billed Magpie

Gallery: AvianPosted April 4, 2011269 views28 comments

I've been down for the count for a couple of weeks with a bug but did manage to get out a few days ago for the magpies. I really enjoy shooting these birds and watching their spring behaviors but they are a very difficult exposure challenge. My keyboard delete key is about worn out.

7D, 1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, shot from tripod on 3/31/11, cropped to 64% of original image, exposure adjustment in ACR, sharpened bird and perch, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 4, 2011 at 6:25 PM

Excellent take-off, Ron. Great job on the exposure.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on April 4, 2011 at 6:56 PM

Gorgeous magpie image Ron. The detail, iridescence and timing are superb. I also love that perch. Terrific work as always!!!

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on April 4, 2011 at 7:45 PM

Nice looking magpie. Like the different colors in the body and wings.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on April 4, 2011 at 8:22 PM

I've not had many chances at these birds, but what little I did shoot of them was frustrating as the exposure is very difficult, and you've managed to capture this one very well Ron. I love how it shows off all the colors and the sharpness of the face, very well done as always!
Sorry you've been down but glad you are getting back into the swing of things.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 4, 2011 at 8:59 PM

I like the pose and action in this one Ron. I also like your choice of SS to get that slight blur on the wings.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on April 4, 2011 at 9:53 PM

between the exposure and the issues with keeping that big tail in the frame once the bird gets moving, I'd imagine you might end up deleting a few! This one's a beauty--love the details, the colors, the way the dark eye stands out on the dark head, the great exposure, and I like the view of the primary tips on the near wing. not to mention the great pose. I wouldn't mind a hair more room on the bottom if you have it, but not a big thing. Glad you're feeling better.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 4, 2011 at 9:56 PM

The best of this species I've seen you take. . . love the feathers color and sharpness

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 4, 2011 at 10:53 PM

Great shot, Ron! Love the action here, and your exposure is spot on.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 4, 2011 at 11:01 PM

Another beauty with a very tough exposure.
Great detail and the irridescense is superb.
And glad you've recovered!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on April 4, 2011 at 11:21 PM

Great capture. The wing spread is excellent as is the foot off conveying even more of the take off.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Thirkell on April 5, 2011 at 1:02 AM

Excellent capture !! I love the colors and detail...nice work !!

Registered on March 28, 2011, 9 Posts, 9 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 5, 2011 at 3:19 AM

Another beauty Ron - like the detail in the iridescence and the lifted tail

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on April 5, 2011 at 4:57 AM

Thats a WOW Ron ...well done ....fanastic detail, and the wing is great ....

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on April 5, 2011 at 6:13 AM

I think you have done so well with the exposure Ron there is lovely detail and the colours are lovely that are coming through on the wing and tail so I think its a lovely image

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 5, 2011 at 11:42 AM

Ron,
This is really off the charts nice. Exposure difficulties noted and dealt with expertly as usual. The irridencense in the wings is incredible. Terrific sharpness and wing position. You even got catchlight in the eye. Stunning image Ron. Hope you're feeling better.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on April 5, 2011 at 11:56 AM

I can sure see what you mean by an exposure challenge, Ron! You managed to capture the iridescence in the tail and wings, not overexpose the whites and even obtain detail in the blacks.....all with a BIF shot with a fine bg as well! Very fine work.

P.S.: Glad you have beaten the bug!

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 5, 2011 at 11:59 AM

Ron, you amaze me again! BEAUTIFUL. The large version shows the amazing detail you captured.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on April 5, 2011 at 12:10 PM

Incredible light and detail, wonderful job with the exposure. I have taken hundreds of shot of magpies and never got this much detail in the face and eye. Combine that with the action and iridescence, and you have a superb image here.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 5, 2011 at 1:54 PM

Love the dynamic motion of this shot Ron, nice job on a tough exposure too.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 5, 2011 at 8:31 PM

Superb job on the exposure, Ron. Nice soft lighting. Very well composed with plenty of room in front of the Magpie. Although I think I prefer the wing position of some of your previous posts of Magpies, this is superb as posted.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 6, 2011 at 1:24 AM

Sweet take off Ron

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 6, 2011 at 3:01 AM

Ron, you manage these guys so well. Great job in bringing out the iridescent colors and I love the jump you've captured off the perch.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on April 6, 2011 at 4:24 AM

Super pose.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 6, 2011 at 4:33 PM

These birds really have a nice color scheme to them and that is evident in this image, nice take off image and the background really complements the image, nice job in getting this, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on April 6, 2011 at 5:06 PM

Very nice image Ron. Hopefully you are rid of the bug and will be back shooting full time.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Levin on April 6, 2011 at 5:19 PM

Great take off pose and color, and excellent exposure, Ron. Given the strong contrast in the bird, if you ever are confronted with one in a stationary position, an HDR would capture the entire dynamic range easily. The Gerlachs have recommended this technique for inherently contrasty wildlife shots.

Registered on April 24, 2009, 21 Posts, 184 Comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on April 10, 2011 at 10:54 PM

Awesome capture Ron! Your timing is great, and having the magpie turned toward just slightly works really well. Nice composition with the vegetation filling the lower left corner. Great stuff.

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 11, 2011 at 5:41 PM

Another sweet Magpie shot Ron. Love the bird position, sage, and BG. Great exposure with nice iridescence. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments