Merlin


Posted by merlinator on Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:44 pm

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I was leaving my usual place for Harriers and Short-eared Owls when I noticed a Bald Eagle about 20 feet on the side of the road circling and looking down. I slowed down as I thought maybe there was a carcass or something the eagle was interested in. He/She made a short stoop behind some conifers and then a small bird of prey flitted out from behind the conifers, flew in front of my car and landed on a post next to a golf course. I braked and angled my car to face broadside to the Merlin and began taking photos. I was by myself for about 10 minutes and watched while he ate. I was actually in the road so when I saw a car come up behind me I just move my car ahead. The background was no longer the green of the golf course but a background of bramble bushes. The car behind me was a car containing two photographers who I spoke to earlier on the dike. I knew it wasn't going to end well. Instead of parking behind me they went past and pulled over. The Merlin wasn't too bothered but then they both got out of the car. The Merlin kept glancing over his shoulder at them and then of course took off. I had too much lens to get the take off but I was anticipating getting shots of him finishing eating, cleaning his beak and feathers and rousing (falconry term for shaking feathers into place.)
Sony A1, Sony 600mm, 1/640 @ f4, !SO 5000  Shot from car window.
Roy

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by david fletcher on Fri Jan 21, 2022 3:02 pm
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Super shot Roy.  Shame that couple ruined the opportunity with their lack of field craft skills.
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by Karl Egressy on Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:10 pm
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Excellent action shot.
 

by paul fletcher on Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:26 pm
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A fine image, Roy, with an interesting description of how the photograph came to be taken.
 

by Cindy Marple on Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:44 pm
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Too bad they didn't take their cue from what you were successfully doing :( This is an excellent image, that green background really is perfect.
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by Cynthia Crawford on Sat Jan 22, 2022 6:24 am
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I can relate to that birding story- it is really too bad-but at least you got this excellent feeding shot.
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by Carol Clarke on Sat Jan 22, 2022 7:59 am
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A fine view of this beautiful raptor feeding, and an all too common story of ignorant human behaviour!

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by Des on Sun Jan 23, 2022 12:01 pm
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Opportunity well ceased, Roy. Very nice.
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by Alan Melle on Mon Jan 24, 2022 12:35 pm
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A fine image of this beautiful bird! Terrific detail and nice BG. Great catch of this Merlin feeding.
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