Black-Billed Magpie

Gallery: AvianPosted May 8, 20181,424 views8 comments

A common species in Yellowstone, but for me it's been a nemesis species. The magpies in the park can be surprisingly shy, and over the years I've had trouble even photographing them from the car, as they fly off almost immediately when I pull up.

So I was surprised and delighted to have a nice session with some magpies while leading my winter tour this year. Our group was able to stand above the Lamar River and snap some photos as they flew back and forth along the water's edge looking for insects (the background in this case is snow). One of the challenges with magpies--aside from getting a close photo to begin with angel

--is capturing the iridescent colors that aren't always visible at certain angles. Based on my track record with these guys, I'm not sure I'll ever get a better photo of one, so I'll be happy with this.

Incidentally, I think for print this would work well as a square crop, because the bird's pose is so symmetrical and lends itself well to being centered. In this case I went with the more standard "real estate in front" crop, which works better in terms of motion and directionality.

Canon 1DXII
Canon 600mm f/4 IS
ISO 400
1/3200th
f/5.6
(Selected NPN's black border since it might be hard to discern the edges of the image without.)

Max

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on May 8, 2018 at 4:17 PM

Really like this, Max. Very unusual. Looks like a painting.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Gavin on May 8, 2018 at 4:32 PM

I would be overjoyed to have captured this photo. Excellent in all respects. I've tried getting a good image of a magpie for years and although some are okay, they are not close to this one. Outstanding.

Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on May 8, 2018 at 4:53 PM

I really like the pose/wing position on this one. The high key approach really works well. It probably would work as a square image but I think I would prefer having some space in front of it as you have done here. I don't know of it's possible but brightening up the head, eye area , and neck might bring out some of the detail.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on May 8, 2018 at 8:49 PM

Very graphic image. I like the pose, either centered or otherwise. The lack of detail in the head and upper torso doesn't really put a dent in the IQ (IMO), as the pose and iridescence are what drives this image.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 8, 2018 at 9:17 PM

Nice one, Max. The pose is fantastic, and the white background works well here. I think I agree that a square or nearly square crop would work well for a print.

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on May 9, 2018 at 3:15 PM

Very interesting high-key presentation Max. It looks like an art piece. Perfect wing spread and angle.

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on May 11, 2018 at 2:24 PM

Powerfully graphic, Max. I love the perfect spread/extension of feathers. Magpies are tough and this one is pleasing!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 20, 2018 at 1:10 PM

Delightful - tack-sharp, perfect pose, colours, and comp.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

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