Magpies

[gatorhunter]

I'm totally loving all the bird photographs. There's one popular bird that I haven't seen anyone post and that is the one and only annoying magpie. Are they camera shy? Let's see some groovy magpies guys and gals!

[MN Shutterbug]

When I was driving around with Jay at the bog, a couple weeks ago, we ran across 3 of them He took a far off shot of 1 in the trees, just to say he shot one. A few minutes later, I told him to stop so I could try a long range shot. You just don't get near those birds. I found out that they are extremely camera shy. I was surprised I hadn't trashed my picture yet. Anyway, at least a person can tell what it looks like, sort of.

[dukhnt]

Here are a couple from out in the black hills a year and a half ago.

[MN Shutterbug]

I didn't know they had bluish/green feathers. I thought they were just black and white. The only other time I've seen them was when I was in Alaska. South Dakotan magpies must not be as camera shy.

[JayinMN]

I ran into a flock of 7 magpies last week but typical of the magpies in this area they scattered right away. I hear out west they are a lot bolder. This is my best shot of one to date, but its nothing special. They sure are neat birds.

[Big-Al]

The magpies are one of my favorites. Over thirty years ago when I started working in the area it was fairly uncommon to see one. If you did see one I would bet that it was withing a mile or two of the junction of the Arkola Rd and CR 7. Now they are relatively common over all of central St. Louis Co.

[Steve Foss]

When we used to live high up in the mountains of Colorado, the magpies and Stellar jays would hop through a gap in our shed door and steal dog food. They didn't mind us close by. The ones that are conditioned to scavenging around houses/farms tend to be more approachable than those out in the Bog. Man, those bog 'pies are a wary bunch.

[gatorhunter]

Thanks for the replies. Yes Steve, they do like their scavenging. I thought that there may have been some pie photos taken at the "meaty" feed stations. Keep them coming please!

[Steve Foss]

gator, I think the feeding stations might be in areas too heavily forested for the 'pies. They seem to prefer more open country.

[jonny_redhorse]

These magpies are hard to get close to for any length of time for great photographs for sure.....I've come across a few each year and if you get "any" shot your lucky!...I've seen a few on the Stickney Road in the Bog and a few near the open farm field country just north of Meadowlands....I've seen a few on deer road kills on Hwy#5 also through the past months...here's a capture of one over a road kill on Hwy#5 from last fall...(took it through the windshield)