Merlin with Dragonfly


Posted by David Salem on Tue Feb 09, 2016 1:34 am

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This female Columbarius Merlin has returned to the same spot two years in a row to hunt dragonflies in the warmth of the last weeks of Fall. She hangs out for a few weeks fattening up on these Variegated Meadow-hawks, this species of dragonfly, then as soon as the cold weather hits, she is gone with the dragonflies.  This is my favorite static frame of the many I shot of her last year.  Hope you like it. 

1DX---840mm---f7.1---ss1/2500---ISO640---HH@9:15am---35% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input.  I Appreciate it.

David
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by David Salem on Tue Feb 09, 2016 1:37 am
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Question: Would you clone out the spider web on the left with the bug in it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
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by mikullashbee on Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:34 am
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Hi David, Let me start out by saying what an outstanding image. Everything from the birds head turn,position of the prey,background. All sweet. The cobweb is fine in my opinion(its oblivious thats what it is). The dragonfly in this particular shot is an immature Green Darner. They are one of the last species along with the variegated meadow hawk to fly in the fall. Great work.
Thanks for looking,
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by David Salem on Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:43 am
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Thanks Mike for the nice comment, Im glad you like it, and for the info on the dragonfly. Tim Zurowski had mentioned the meadow hawks as being the predominant species in my area so I just figured that maybe it was an adult or a male. I see many birds with dragonflies and I can now see the difference. I believe the varigateds have the bands going down their abdomen. Thanks for your thoughts on the spider web too.
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by Alan Murphy on Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:35 am
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David, an excellent image in many ways. As for the spider web, I'm not sure it's visible enough to not distract.
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by Gene Gwin on Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:26 am
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David, Extraordinary photo. For me, I do not think the web detracts.
 

by Leighayres on Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:49 am
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Perfect.
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by RLK on Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:04 am
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Great image! To me the spider web gives a faint suggestion of the typical "pooping" image that I have seen (and taken) so many of and I would clone it out if it were mine. Not a big deal however.
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by Matt Filosa on Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:04 am
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Awesome image, David. Great feather and dragonfly detail. And the BG goes with the bird nicely.

At first and before I read your question, I thought the spider web was the last, slight stream of excrement coming from the bird before takeoff. So IMHO, I would clone it out to make the photo a 10 rather than a 9.9. I mean, I wouldn't clone it out if it were mine because of my lack of LR skills, but I am guessing you could seamlessly do it as your photos are always so great.

Best,

Matt
 

by WOlf38 on Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:18 am
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Just beautiful, David!
Bravo!
 

by Debapratim Saha on Tue Feb 09, 2016 10:41 am
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Stunning shot David!! Congrats.
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by joem on Tue Feb 09, 2016 11:34 am
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Great shot David, love the head turn & Dragonfly.
 

by ahazeghi on Tue Feb 09, 2016 11:43 am
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Hi Dave, looks perfect to me. I can def. tell it's a spider web so I'll leave it in

best
 

by Tim Foltz on Tue Feb 09, 2016 4:12 pm
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Dave, nice shooting from the ol' truck blind and yes I would clone out the SW.

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Thanks
 

by James Vellozzi on Tue Feb 09, 2016 4:19 pm
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Winning image.. that is all I can say here
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by David Salem on Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:38 pm
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Thanks everyone. I appreciate the comments.
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by David Salem on Tue Feb 09, 2016 6:52 pm
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Looks like the group is divided on the cloning of the spider web. Thanks for the input everyone.
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by Todd Bauer on Tue Feb 09, 2016 7:59 pm
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I'd leave the web where it lies. This photo seems to me to be minimally processed...and is refreshingly mesmerizing as is. It's great.
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by ANIT MITRA on Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:00 am
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Cracker Image...Hats off..
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by NILADRI KARMAKAR on Wed Feb 10, 2016 11:53 am
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loved that shot..head turn, eye contact, colors, sharpness all together.
NIL:-

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