Steal What Works, Leave the Rest

Why I steal from everywhere and commit to nothing.

Jan 07, 2026

∙ Paid

A high-detail, close-up photo of a magpie's nest tucked into the fork of a tree. The nest is a complex bowl of dry twigs and moss containing two speckled light-blue eggs. Woven into the structure are scavenged human items, including blue plastic clips and shiny silver foil, representing the bird's habit of collecting diverse materials. — A sturdy nest built from nature's foundation, reinforced with the useful bits and bright finds gathered along the way.

Watch a magpie build its nest and you’ll see a creature that refuses to be loyal. Magpies are thieves with taste. They don’t commit to one tree or one yard. Instead, they scavenge, hopping from fence post to garden to parking lot, select…

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