Earlier his month I had two encounters with a Merlin on consecutive early mornings at almost the same location in the Centennial Valley of Montana. These images were taken the first morning.
1/160, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
We had left camp at sunrise and found the Merlin on an old fence post just a few minutes later near the western boundary of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. In my experience these birds are usually extremely difficult to approach but this one was “stickier” than normal because it was unusually cold and the light was still quite low. It was right next to the road and as I approached very slowly in my pickup my heart was in my throat for fear the little falcon would fly off into the distance but this wonderful bird just watched me carefully. And stuck. It was like an unexpected gift from the photography gods.
Light on the low clouds and lake fog behind me produced a double catch-light in most of the images of this bird. Some folks clone one of them out but since they’re natural I tend to leave both of them in.
In fact, in some of the images the double catch lights were vertical to each other and one of them was rose-colored which I assume was an effect from the color in the clouds behind me. The image is soft and noisy but it demonstrates my point.
1/100, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Beyond some different head angles the Merlin never did give me much pose variety but I was able to get some different backgrounds by moving my pickup slightly. Shooting at these shutter speeds (as low as 1/100 sec) is almost unheard of for me and as a result many of my shots were soft.
But I got a few I like and dang I had fun with this bird!
Ron
Note: If you haven’t seen them and have the interest I’ve posted images from my second encounter with this bird here – Merlin With Prey In Approaching Fog
What a beautiful bird! I’m really glad you had these encounters with it.
I’m looking late in the day – very moved by the merlin’s quiet watchfulness matching your own. The double catch light is lovely, and the last photo in the series with the gray directly behind the bird’s head I find particularly arresting. It’s so nice knowing how clicking on your blog post always adds that special dimension to my day. Nature – in us, around us, beyond words…
Beautiful shots, beautiful bird!
Charlotte
As I said to Mia a little while ago about her beautiful capture this morning. Ooooh.
What a wonderful start to my morning. Feathered enchantment.
Those feet were made for grabbin’!
I know how ecstatic I was last year to get a few decent shots of one of these speedsters so I feel your joy! Wonderful photographs, Ron! Nice that you had a good background, too! Love how it compliments the Merlin’s plumage.
Thanks very much, Wally. Congrats on your Merlin!
The first is my favorite. I like the ruffled feather look.
“The ruffled feather look” – As I’m sure you can tell, the poor bird was cold, Arwen.
Nod. I imagine so!
Ron, these images are the best photos of a Merlin I’ve ever seen. As you’ve hinted at, luck plays a part in bird photography, but it takes skill and preparation to put that luck to use in producing a good image, and yours are consistently wonderful. Thanks, as always, for sharing.
Thanks a lot, Devin. Merlins are a tough subject so I was sure happy to get these.
You’re getting some good stuff with that new gear! Love the contast of the fluffed up bird (cold?) and the weathered wood…great shots!
Now I’m waiting for that new 7d Mark ll to be released, Patty. It’s ISO performance is supposed to be significantly improved so I could have had more shutter speed for shots like these.
Such a wonderful experience! I’m still looking for my first Merlin encounter. Your images are beautiful!
Thanks, Sharon and good luck with your Merlin quest.
Merlin quest is such an appropriate term for the magic you give us each day.