Up to my neck in Magpies again

I can't seem to quit painting Magpies.

Magpie Sculpture by countrymousestudio

They are everywhere here.
As I waited for my daughter one morning, I watched the Magpie family that had nested across the street from her.  They'd stuffed nesting material into the top of a pyramid cedar tree.  Most of it was hanging out but somehow they managed to bring a family into the world.
She told me they were annoying because they woke her up every morning so I watched as the family hopped along the eves trough looking for bugs, drinking any standing water and generally poking their beak into every crevice and crack.                                                  
When they were finished with the eaves troughs  they checked out the windowsills, which was what my daughter complained about.  There's nothing like having a bird with a rather large beak tapping on your window first thing in the morning.

When they were done there, they swooped down into the garden where I know they'd eaten her sprouting vegetables and any near ripe fruit like strawberries and peas in the past and were hoping to find more.       
On the whole, it was very pest like behavior but still I can't help liking them. 

Magpie Sculpture by countrymousestudio

Finally, the reason for the name of the post was this necktie, it was fun to make.

Magpie Magnet by countrymousestudio

  

Magpie Neck Tie by countrymousestudio

Magpies Again

Yesterday was a beautiful warm day. It was a nice break and reminder that spring will one day return. On my way to work in the morning, I have to pass a gate that requires me to input a code. That meant I had to roll down my window and in doing so I heard a group of Magpies chattering.

What a beautiful sight! A frost covered birch tree with 10 Magpies. It looked like a Christmas card. Guess I'll have to find time to paint that one. That's the only problem with life, it interferes with the painting of it.

Magpie Ladies T Shirt by countrymousestudio 

Custom Name Date Magpie Bird Family Watercolor art Silver Plated Banner Ornament by countrymousestudio

Magpie Bird, Nature, Wildlife Watercolor Art Shirts by countrymousestudio

Family two People Fall in Love Magpie Bird Quote Poster by countrymousestudio

Custom Dated I love Magpies Watercolor Bird Double-Sided Heart Ceramic Christmas Ornament by countrymousestudio

Magpies

I painted this Magpie because I have recently grown so fond of them. I live about 2 blocks from my workplace and have discovered that the Magpie family that I feed at home has their nest in some trees at work.

When I go out in the yard at work now, they call to me as if wondering where the food is. If I don’t put any food out at home they sit on my roof and complain until I do. Apparently, they’ve figured out that I’m the same person at both places and aren't shy about asking.

This picture is an attempt to show some of their charming personality and incredible colors. At first glance they appear black and white but if you study them in sunlight, you will see they are iridescent blue, green and purple.

I know they have a bad reputation with some farmers who claim they attack vulnerable livestock and yet the Chinese consider them good luck and say they will bring happiness. I prefer to believe this.

They are part of the Corvid family which includes crows and ravens. Recent studies have proven this family to be very intelligent and once you get to know them you won't have difficulty believing it.

During the summer, I've seen them searching for bugs under parked vehicles. They walk under the frame and look up all along the tires and undercarriage. The moment they spot a bug they hop straight up and grab it. It's quite comical to watch. I will have to try and capture video of it.

Magpie Ornament by countrymousestudio