What quoth the magpie?

I like magpies.

I know magpies have a reputation for being pesky, but I still do a double-take when I see one fly by with its bold pattern and long tail. It gives me a little thrill, like I was back in Africa logging birds onto my life list.

I was hiking the bluff this past weekend, when I encountered an apparent magpie family spat. Or perhaps it was a turf war. Anyway, about a half-dozen birds were hollering at each other and flying around.

I don’t know if I looked suspiciously magpie-like, but one landed in a tree near me and gave me the birdie-eye.

Too late, I activated the zoom on my camera.

Magpies are corvids, among a group of very smart birds.

Here’s my favorite shot.

If these guys could speak, what would they say about the scenery?

Copyright 2010 by Katie Bradshaw