Steve Cole  

Magpie Success by Steve Cole

January 2025 - Magpie Success

About the Image(s)

My last trip (October 2024) to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, was a solo trip … just me. I have been here previously but never alone, in fact it is my favorite National Park for the easy access and minimum numbers of other visitors. While out early attempting to capture a good sunrise coming up over the valley I noticed in the near dark a couple of Magpies flying about. I waited until after the sun had fully come up hoping for clean/clear Magpie photo which I have never accomplished in my many trips to this park. Lots of sightings but never in range for a good photo. Well I think got one this time for it landed on a post near where I was parked. Fujifilm XT5, 100-400 at 211mm (317mm full frame), 1/60, f8, ISO 640. Processed in LR Classic using basic sliders and Topaz Denoise.

6 comments posted

Bruce Benson   Bruce Benson
Steve, You present a very nice image of a Magpie, a bird that has always eluded me except for a few not so great images. The fence and the colorful branches frame the bird bringing your attention right to it. The background in nicely blurred with the subject nice and sharp. Very well done. I have never been to North Dakota but sounds like a grate place. Bruce   Posted: 01/07/2025 19:22:57
Steve Cole   Steve Cole
Thanks for your generous comments.
I have been to TRNP several times, late spring, summer, and now fall. I think late spring/early summer is best for things are greener and seeing wildlife especially the "wild" horses when you will see the "newly born". I travel almost exclusively by motor home with flat-towing a Jeep and try to visit places on the way/back. North Dakota is mostly very flat except when you get close to the western part which is were TRNP is located. PLUS lots of spots to see the bird migration in process spring/fall which I plan to do in 2025/2026. I will be posting more of my travel photos on my flickr later this month or next. :)   Posted: 01/08/2025 13:27:18
Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
Nice background treatment, subdued and soft focus allows the bird to be front and center. The fence gives solid support, but perhaps is too prominent. The throat area seems a bit underexposed, but the eyes are well done. The bird being the main subject, I tried cropping in to lessen the impact of the fence rails, if you don't mind.   Posted: 01/14/2025 16:32:46
Comment Image
Adrian Binney   Adrian Binney
Nice Steve. I like the scene very much. Somehow the magpie seems proud. Cropping is a very personal thing - to my preference, the image has all interest in right half.   Posted: 01/16/2025 17:17:47
Cindy Marple   Cindy Marple
I'm impressed that you were able to get it sharp at such a slow shutter speed!
What a pretty setting for this bird, with the fall leaves behind it. I like its pose with the tail to the side so that we can appreciate how long it is.
Have you played with the white balance on this? It's very cool colors, being in the shade, which makes a quiet mood. If you warm it up (i.e. shade WB) it'll make those fall leaves pop more- and change the mood of the image to a bit more vibrant one.
I do like Jerry's crop, but I also like your original. The fence makes "stepping stones" from the lower left up to the bird, as well as having more of that fall color influencing the image.
Very nice image!   Posted: 01/21/2025 01:15:26
Jerry Biddlecom   Jerry Biddlecom
I like your stepping stones analogy.   Posted: 01/21/2025 14:32:02

 

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