Flash of Color
Flash of Color - While hiking, I noticed a tiny flash in the Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) in front of me. I was excited to see it was a tiny male Merlin. Merlins are one of my favorite raptors and are easy to observe in season, but seeing them eye level in nice light is rare around here. Not the cleanest setting, but Valley Oaks are deciduous and drop their leaves each fall/winter. This provided interesting colors for this small in frame shot.
Species: Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Location: Santa Clara County, CA, USA
Date Taken: December 2022
Equipment: Canon EOS R7 + EF 100-400mm IS II
Settings: 1/800s, ISO: 1250, f/5.6 @640mm EFL
Flash of Color
Flash of Color - While hiking, I noticed a tiny flash in the Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) in front of me. I was excited to see it was a tiny male Merlin. Merlins are one of my favorite raptors and are easy to observe in season, but seeing them eye level in nice light is rare around here. Not the cleanest setting, but Valley Oaks are deciduous and drop their leaves each fall/winter. This provided interesting colors for this small in frame shot.
Species: Merlin (Falco columbarius)
Location: Santa Clara County, CA, USA
Date Taken: December 2022
Equipment: Canon EOS R7 + EF 100-400mm IS II
Settings: 1/800s, ISO: 1250, f/5.6 @640mm EFL