Black-billed Magpie is Feasting on Berries

 

It seemed that last month I took quiet a few the high key photographs of birds.  The weather conditions especially at the end of January were horrible on Antelope Island. Sometimes it was snowing, sometimes foggy and gloomy. There were days when everything looked plain white.

To find birds wasn't easy and when I saw the Black-billed Magpie feasting on  berries I was so glad to photograph it.

The berries were quiet big but the Magpie swallowed them easily.

Why the Magpie chose the berries on the lower branch is difficult to say. The bird had to bend over and to stay on the branch in a rather awkward position. I suspect that this technique was practiced many times.

The Magpies here in northern Utah will soon start to build new nests and it will take forty to fifty days to construct them.   

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Well, the high key photos don't tickle everyone's fancy but I enjoy taking them when the opportunity arises.

Generally, life is good.

The Wounded Bison and The Magpie

The bison's wound was small and it was bleeding.  He tried to rest, perhaps to have a nap but the annoying Magpie couldn't leave him alone. 

The Magpie was pecking on a bison's wound.  Was he eating insects from it or raw bison's flesh?  The wound was opened and the magpie had an easy access to work on it.  At some moment bison became annoyed and chased away Magpie.

Soon two Magpies landed on bison's back but one left almost immediately and the other stayed.  It was the same Magpie the Bison tried to get rid off. 

How you can peacefully rest when someone annoys you and never leaves you alone pecking his bill into your wound?  

Bison got more irritated,  he moved his head toward Magpie switching vigorously his tail and finally succeeded in chasing Magpie away.

Wild animals have an incredible power of healing.  The bison's wound was small and I hope soon it will be healed.  If the wound will continue to bleed the bison has to wait till the end of October when the annual Roundup will take place.  During this event all bisons on Antelope Island will be brought to the coral for annual checkup and the wounded bisons will get help.

Generally, life is good!