Interesting Magpie Behaviour

 Magpies

Since moving to our present property we've been neighbors with several generations of Magpies.  Each year a couple would successfully raise about 5 young ones.  As soon as they were old enough to fly they come to our yard where I keep running water and dry cat food to help them out.  Once they are old enough the whole family disappears for days only stopping by occasionally.

This photo is a young one and I'm not sure if it's guarding the food against others or catching the sun to dry off after playing in the sprinkler.  Interesting behavior I'd never seen before.