Merlin | Falco columbarius | Faucon émerillon
A Merlin this morning at the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. I walked up to it and it didn’t fly away, so I was able to get a photograph.
Usually I don't display images in which the bird is looking directly at the camera. In this case the stare was so intense I decided to make an exception. Makes me think of "Blue Steel" from Zoolander.
When I started birding many decades ago, Merlins were vey rare. But they have made a remarkable comeback and are now one of the commoner local raptors.
In the spring and fall they patrol headlands along the shore of Lake Ontario, watching and waiting for small migrant songbirds struggling to get back to land after being caught over the water at dawn. Terrible scenes and feathers drifting down from the sky.
I wouldn't say I actively dislike them, but the carnage can be disturbing. They also catch and eat migrating Eastern Red Bats.
Merlin | Falco columbarius | Faucon émerillon
A Merlin this morning at the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada. I walked up to it and it didn’t fly away, so I was able to get a photograph.
Usually I don't display images in which the bird is looking directly at the camera. In this case the stare was so intense I decided to make an exception. Makes me think of "Blue Steel" from Zoolander.
When I started birding many decades ago, Merlins were vey rare. But they have made a remarkable comeback and are now one of the commoner local raptors.
In the spring and fall they patrol headlands along the shore of Lake Ontario, watching and waiting for small migrant songbirds struggling to get back to land after being caught over the water at dawn. Terrible scenes and feathers drifting down from the sky.
I wouldn't say I actively dislike them, but the carnage can be disturbing. They also catch and eat migrating Eastern Red Bats.