Friday, August 22, 2008

Smart as a Magpie



We’ve got several magpies around our yard this year. More than in past years and several of them are youngsters. They seem to like our yard and that’s fine.
They are loud. They have great squawking festivals at random times of the day. Although it can be grating it is ultimately a happy aural assault. It’s a sound of summer and it will be gone all too quickly.
I’ve also grown fond of the look of the feathers when the sun hits them just right. Most of the time they look black and white, but at certain angles the black is beautiful and iridescent.
They are a very pretty bird, and really rather smartly dressed.
I am glad I’ve had the chance to observe them because I’ve come to appreciate them and I like having them visit.


11 comments:

Hilary said...

Nice one, Leah. You sure did a great job of capturing its colours just right. Nice looking critter.

Crabby McSlacker said...

"Smartly Dressed" is such a nice way of putting it! He is indeed.

Leah J. Utas said...

Hilary and Crabby - Thanks so much. I never thought of magpies as beautiful, but they really are.
Thanks.

the Bag Lady said...

They are such a pretty bird. Great photos!
So pretty, but so darned noisy. They drive the Princess crazy, as they invade her airspace, and even have the audacity to land on her lawn! Keeps her busy!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, dfBag Lady. Good to know the Princess is on the job protecting the lawn from the magpies.

Reb said...

I do love the colours that show in a Magpie. Great capture Leah.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Reb. I'm happy the pic worked so well.

Thomma Lyn said...

Oh, the magpie is beautiful! What a lovely picture. :)

Leah J. Utas said...

Hello TL, thanks so much. It's a beautiful bird and the light was striking it so well.

Clare2e said...

Beautiful Magpie! I enjoy our grackles for the same peacock iridescence in their blackness.

Leah J. Utas said...

Clare2e, thank you. Grackles are pretty, too.