A close-up of an Australian magpie looking toward the camera, set against a soft green bokeh background.
A curious Australian magpie glances toward the viewer, framed by a smooth green background that adds a sense of calm and gentle clarity.
|

Moment With a Magpie

ByMirror Of My Mind Photography

The question is not what you look at, but what you see.

Henry David Thoreau wrote, “The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”
This simple idea sits at the centre of mindful photography — the shift from merely observing a scene to truly noticing it. Our world is filled with small moments of beauty that often pass by unnoticed, especially when our minds are elsewhere.

This photograph was taken at Lake Jubilee in Victoria, during a break in the day. I had stopped for a rest and something to eat, enjoying the stillness of the water and the soft breeze moving through the trees. It was one of those quiet pauses where the world feels slower, and your senses open up a little more. That was when this magpie approached the edge of my space, curious but calm, as if checking in on what I was doing.

Many people see magpies as part of the everyday background of Australian life, but if you take the time to really see them — beyond the quick glance or the familiar silhouette — their character comes forward. This one paused in a soft wash of filtered green light, turning toward the camera with a gentle tilt of the head. The background dissolved into a smooth bokeh, giving the moment a quiet, almost meditative feel.

Magpies are known for their intelligence, strong family bonds, and the rich warbling songs that drift across early mornings. They recognise faces, form social relationships, and move with a confidence that comes from being so deeply woven into the Australian landscape. They are observant creatures, noticing far more than most people realise.

Standing there at Lake Jubilee, this bird felt less like a subject and more like a presence — a reminder to slow down and appreciate the life moving around us. Thoreau’s words echoed in that moment. Photography becomes more meaningful when it invites the viewer to look deeper, to notice texture, light, posture, and the quiet personality of a familiar creature.

This image is meant to offer that same experience to the viewer. A chance to pause. To take a breath. To consider not just what you are looking at, but what you are truly seeing.

Technical Notes (EXIF)

  • Focal Length: 200 mm
  • Aperture: f/6.3
  • Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
  • ISO: 500
  • Lens Type: Tamron 18–200 mm lens

Similar Posts