This magpie looks like it just caught you stealing its spotlight.

Walking through Bourke's quiet streets, I noticed a flash of black and white darting across the lawn. It wasn’t long before I found myself face-to-face with an Australian Magpie. The bird stood there, unbothered by my presence, its sharp eyes fixed on me as if it were sizing me up. Its glossy feathers shone under the late afternoon sun, a perfect contrast to the vivid green grass beneath it. There was something almost theatrical about its stance—like a performer waiting for applause. As I watched it hop a few steps forward, I couldn’t help but admire its audacity. In this small encounter, I felt both observed and oddly connected to this bold little creature.