An Australian photographer in the right place at the right time has captured a shot of a magpie “surfing” on the outstretched wing of a wedge-tailed eagle in flight, worthy of a double-take.
Wayne Reinke, 65, was out scouting for photos in Gunalda, Queensland, early one morning when he saw the wedge-tailed eagle, one of his favorite birds, being “harassed” by a magpie.
“I quickly got out to take some photos and, in that sequence, I got this shot where it appears the magpie is ’surfing‘ on its wing,” Reinke told The Epoch Times. “That day, I was following one of my usual routes, the one where I find that particular eagle ... this shot was handheld, as I’d seen the magpie harass the eagle and rapid fired on the scene.”
Reinke said it’s hard to know in the moment whether a shot will be any good.
“You don’t find out until you’re back at home checking them on the computer,” he explained. “Honestly, that’s the best part of getting home, seeing what I’ve managed to capture that day.”
Reinke says he uses Adobe Lightroom for minor edits to the size and exposure of his photos. However, he clarified that he tries not to alter the color of the bird in order to present a “true representation of its beauty.”
“Photography started for me when my son was gravely ill,” Reinke explained. “He‘d previously been interested in photography, and so when he was in hospital, I’d take him out each morning to take photos. I fell in love with the raptors and have continued taking photos for myself.
“I’m retired now, and pursuing bird photography as an enjoyable pastime. Most days I go to various locations around my area to capture the birds of the region. I have a relationship with many of these birds, as I go every day to their areas and see how they’re doing.”
For Reinke, it’s not about the photo, but more about leaving the house to experience nature and the “hustle-bustle of life.” The greatest joy in his hobby is seeing the enjoyment it brings to others.
“I’ve found it difficult to schedule the magpie and eagle on the same day,” he said, considering his now-viral photo. “Every photo I take, I feel lucky to be there at that moment, but of course it was amazing to get the shot.”
Reinke’s dedication to his local bird community has paid off; he has other notable photos in his archive, including a magnificent shot of a willie wagtail hitchhiking on the back of an osprey.
