Merlin Chasing Kestrel

Posted by Paul Rossi on Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:16 pm

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Taken in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula. The Kestrel dared to catch a grasshopper (in its left claw) within 100 yards of this Merlin. Both were migrant birds waiting to cross the Straits of Mackinac. Cropped to about 65% of original.

Canon 1D Mark 2 + 600mm F4 IS lens
Manual Mode
1/2500sec F7.1
ISO 400

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by Dan Kearl on Wed Mar 20, 2019 3:26 pm

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Always treat to get 2 sharp in the frame...unique fun pose on the upper bird.
Nice wings on the lower bird.

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by Sharon Hallowell on Wed Mar 20, 2019 6:07 pm

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Nice look at the Merlin eyeing up that grasshopper! Sharon

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by Karl Egressy on Wed Mar 20, 2019 7:44 pm

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Excellent interaction image.

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by Ron Day on Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:22 pm

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Great behavioral image presented beautifully in high key.

Ron Day www.rondayphotography.com

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by Paul Rossi on Wed Mar 20, 2019 8:38 pm

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Sharon Hallowell wrote:Nice look at the Merlin eyeing up that grasshopper! Sharon

Once the Merlin saw it was a grasshopper it veered away, giving up the chase. If it were a songbird or vole it probably would have attacked the Kestrel, forcing it to drop its catch.

Paul Rossi personal website: https://paulrossibirds.com/
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Last edited by Paul Rossi on Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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by david fletcher on Thu Mar 21, 2019 1:57 pm

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Dan Kearl wrote:Always treat to get 2 sharp in the frame...unique fun pose on the upper bird.
Nice wings on the lower bird.

Nicely done !

Make your life spectacular!

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by Sharon Hallowell on Thu Mar 21, 2019 8:57 pm

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Paul Rossi wrote:
Sharon Hallowell wrote:Nice look at the Merlin eyeing up that grasshopper! Sharon
Once the Merlin saw it was a grasshopper it veered away, giving up the chase. If it were a songbird or vole it probably would have attacked the Kestrel, forcing it to drop its catch.

Interesting info! Thanks!

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by Mike Danzenbaker on Thu Mar 21, 2019 11:27 pm

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Excellent! I've never seen a photo depicting these two species together, let alone in dynamic interaction. I also like the textured cloud BG.

"Animal instinct is more amazing than human ingenuity."

Mike
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by Carol Clarke on Fri Mar 22, 2019 5:41 pm

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How wonderful to get these two beauties interacting in the same frame, Paul! Great shot!

Carol.

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by Mako_Elite on Sun Mar 24, 2019 1:58 am