Black-Billed Magpie

The black-billed magpie is a member of the crow family and commonly found in the western half of North America. It is one of only four North American birds that the tail makes up half of the bird's length. The bird is black with white shoulders, a white belly, and iridescent dark wings and tail.

Any trip to Rocky Mountain National Park is highlighted with critters that like a free hand out. The black-billed magpie is one of these little thieves and you must be constantly wary or they will take a sandwich or cracker right out of your hand. It is strongly discouraged to feed these animals as cute as they are. When winter arrives and the crowds thin the poor little guys are left to fend for themselves and many starve to death. I never feed them but I do take advantage of their precocious nature and catch their pictures when they get close.

Magpie
A black-billed magpie rests on a dead branch and inquisitively watches my progress hiking on a snow packed trail in Rocky Mountain National Park.
click here for purchase information on this photo

Magpie Silhouette
A black silhouette of a black-billed magpie perched on a single branch and set on a background of a deep azure evening sky.
click here for purchase information on this photo

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Sunday Morning Gallery - Birds of a Feather

Although I have no interest in owning a caged bird, I have always enjoyed watching wild birds. Nothing is quite as fun as seeing a new species at the bird feeder and rushing to get my Audubon field guide to identify and learn about a new neighbor in the forest. Although these photos are not of any rare bird species, I enjoyed photographing them and think they are all quite beautiful birds even if they are considered "common."

Barn Swallow

The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) is the most widespread species of swallow in the world. It is a bird of open country which normally uses man-made structures to breed and consequently has spread with human expansion. It builds a cup nest from mud pellets in barns or similar structures and feeds on insects caught in flight.

Red Tailed Hawk

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is one of the most common and one of the largest members of the genus Buteo in North America, typically weighing from 690 to 1600 grams (1.5 to 3.5 pounds) and measuring 45–65 cm (18 to 26 in) in length, with a wingspan from 110 to 145 cm (43 to 57 in). Because they are so common and easily trained, the majority of hawks captured for falconry in the United States are Red-tails. The Red-tailed Hawk also has significance in Native American culture and is sometimes called Red Eagle. Its feathers are considered sacred by some tribes, and are used in religious ceremonies.

Red Winged Blackbird

The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) ranges from southern Alaska to the Yucatan peninsula in the south, and from the western coast of California and Canada to the east coast of the continent. The male is all black with a red shoulder and yellow wing bar, while the female is a nondescript dark brown. When migrating, the Red-winged Blackbird travels in single-sex flocks. The males usually arrive a few days before the females; once they have reached the location where they plan to breed, the males stake out territories by singing. They defend their territory aggressively, both against other male Red-winged Blackbirds and against creatures they perceive as threatening, including crows, ospreys, hawks, and even humans.

Etsy Buy Handmade JulieMagersSoulen

Western Bluebird Art Print

Western Bluebird Art Print
Can you hear the melodious song of the Western Bluebird as he sits on the yucca searching for his mate?

Western Bluebirds

The other day I was driving down to the mailbox and noticed seven or eight bluebirds! I was so excited because I have rarely seen one. Luckily I had my camera next to me. I tried shooting out the car window but that did not work. I quietly opened my car door and gingerly peeked over the hood expecting them to take flight. But they seemed quite unpreturbed as they perched on the yuccas allowing me to shoot several shots. Let me know which one you think is the best capture; one bird, two birds or three birds.