A male Prairie Merlin I believe but then I’m no expert on Merlin subspecies.
1/5000, f/8, ISO 640, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday morning I had a brief encounter with this male Merlin near the Bear River. He landed here and appeared to hunt from the post briefly before taking off again. I missed the takeoff shot because I was changing my active focus point when he launched. Bad timing, again.
In all the excitement of finding a Merlin and trying to maneuver my pickup into the best practical shooting position I also forgot to check my camera settings. For some mysterious reason (gremlins in my camera?) I was at f/8 but things still worked out OK, although I do wish I’d been closer to him.
1/4000, f/8, ISO 640, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
He didn’t give me much pose variety but a brief over the shoulder look while he was hunting allowed for a different composition.
I struggle a little to tolerate all that shiny metal in my photos of him but rather than fight it I decided to..
.
1/4000, f/8, ISO 640, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
embrace it with this composition of the previous photo.
Besides, I like this shade of red and the graphic lines provided by the metal gate. In my advancing years I guess I’m becoming just a little more flexible.
Ron
Fantastic shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Nice shots of a little beauty….
Thank you, Patty.
Great get! Love those little falcons.
Me too. Thanks, Michael.
Wonderful shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
I don’t often see pictures of a Merlin, this one shows of the feathering and size well done.
“I don’t often see pictures of a Merlin”
And I don’t often take them. Thanks, Janice.
I don’t know why, but in that second photo he looks to me like a wizened little old man/falcon … just something about the look on his face and the white eyebrow. I also don’t know why I prefer the second crop with the additional gate rail. (Perhaps I’m feeling what Arwen’s feeling … or, I got the impression our handsome Prairie Merlin was impaled on the single rail).
Preferences and tastes can be hard to explain, Chris. I STILL don’t know which photo I prefer but I just …might… be leaning in the direction of the last one. And that surprises me.
The red metal adds another texture to the photo which I like. It makes it more…today? Not sure what I’m feeling but I’m feeling! 😀
“Not sure what I’m feeling but I’m feeling!”
Arwen, that’s where I’m often at with stuff like this.
Nice to get a good look at a Merlin. I like the second pose before you added the extra red line. Looks too busy, but it is a lovely color.
Thanks, Kathryn. I appreciate your honest feedback.
Yet another beauty, though I prefer the first crop. In the second the merlin seems like an addition to the scene – which I suppose he is, but…
And a big yes to the popping colour of his feet.
Thanks, EC.
For those interested, there is a new book out entitled Magical Merlins available on Amazon which deals with the Merlin subspecies in similar fashion as the A.C. Bent natural history series from years past.
Thanks for the heads up, Jim.
Nice – pretty little bird even if not one I’d like to try and lay hands on!;) Gives a good perspective on the actual size of the Merlin. Red metal gate IS attractive tho a little goes a long way for me before it overwhelms the Merlin. 😉
I agree, Judy. In that shot the Merlin has become “an accessory” as Granny Pat said.. I still like it, partly for the variety.
Here it is 5:45AM and you’re already giving lessons. I didn’t know there are three Merlins subspecies in North America. I’ve only heard them called Merlins here, although BotW has them all occurring here. Thanks for waking me up to this😊
“Here it is 5:45AM and you’re already giving lessons.”
Good to know, Lyle. I’d been photographing birds for several years before I learned about the Merlin subspecies.
I believe there are nine subspecies worldwide but as you said we only have three of them.
Nope. Up late. Stupid insomnia. 🤬
😢
And I am up early. There is good reason why so many cultures use sleep deprivation as torture. It is.
Agreed.
Art has many faces. Nature photos with (posts, logged stumps etc) no human artifacts of any kind is certainly one. Strong red lines are certainly another. They do detract from the bird but become a subject in their own right with the bird now an accessory. I wouldn’t want it all the time just as too many intensely chocolate treats might pall, but here I like it too. I don’t see it as different standards, just as I couldn’t make that sort of judgment about oranges or asparagus. Just me, my 2c, FWIW.
Your two cents are worth a lot, Granny Pat. Thanks.
I kind of like seeing the two rungs of painted metal. It definitely adds to the composition and the story. I’m picturing this Merlin acting like another Merlin and guarding the gate of knowledge. 🙂 Those orange feet are a bonus!
Dang, you’re up early Marty!
You’re right about his feet. That small splash of orange really stands out considering how small in the frame it is.