With all the beautiful birds in Australia the iconic Australian Magpie continues to be a big-time favourite.
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 1600
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
Aussie Magpies won the Australia’s favourite bird in 2017, with the White Ibis coming in second. At the time it was mentioned that they’d both probably score pretty well as Australia’s least-favourite birds as well.
But I’m with the likers, for both species. The young magpie above sat and sang for me for a very long time. It was practicing the beautiful, warbling song of the adult magpies, the carolling that so many of us are lucky to hear as we wake each morning. My magpies aren’t here as often as they used to be, and it’s been a couple of years since they’ve nested 20m up in the mahogany gum at the end of my driveway.
Canon 7D, Canon 100-400mm L IS USM
The photograph above was one of the first shots I took when starting out with bird photography. I was rapt with the gear I was using though have upgraded a few times since then. Photography is all about the light and I still love the way the light and the background work in this portrait.
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 1600
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400mm L IS USM EXT
From one of my very first magpie shots to one of my most recent. The fledgling above was waiting for its parents to return with food. Occasionally it would fly after them but it was still very young and building its strength and stamina, and maybe pushing its luck a little.
Whenever it saw a parent bird on its way back it perked right up and started with that intense begging call that most of us are very familiar with.
Shots like this, taken on a dark and dismal day, make me glad I’m not a magpie!
If you’re in the Melbourne area I highly recommend visiting the MCC Nature Photography Exhibition. I’m honoured to be among the exhibitors.
Another beaut exhibition is the WCC National (the awards ceremony is fully booked). I was one of the judges for this national competition and would like to congratulate all participating photographers and especially those who gained acceptances and awards.
I hope you see magpies this week, happy birding, Kim
PS The kangaroo petition from last week now has more than 21,000 signatures, every signature gives these gentle roos another change of survival, thanks so much for caring
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
I was feeling so sad, wondering what I could do to help a lovely maggie on the property where I work, who seems to have a broken leg and was struggling to pick up something he’d spied. I was amazed, but not surprised, when he started to chortle and another one flew over with something in it’s beak and shared the food. I know they’re very connected in their family groups and extremely intelligent, but this was an absolute delight to witness. I feel there is now some hope for him (perhaps her).
Oh Syndy that is a very special story about the maggies looking after each other. I looked after sick and orphaned critters for a few years, I had a magpie from very fresh out of the egg. At about four weeks old it was in the flight aviary when I saw magpies feeding it through the wires. A local wildlife rescuer might be able to help you catch the injured magpie, especially if it’s a regular visitor to the property. I hope it is okay, Kim
Just glad I’m not a worm LOL
Great shots
Thank you Stephen! Whenever I answer your comments I always think of how amazing you’d make an image look with your painting skills
I am not in the least surprised that you are an exhibitor at the Nature Photography Exhibition.
Or that you have shouldered the difficult job of judging the Warragul Camera Club Competition.
You will be shocked and surprised (not) to learn that I adore magpies. Their song sings of home to me, and on my rare overseas trips I knew I was home when I heard it.
I like the ibis too, but the magpies are a step above in my eyes. The call, and that of the currawong, both delight me.
Do you like the call of the butcherbird too? A juvenile has just landed outside my window and taken a drink from the birdbath, though there are puddles everywhere at the moment.