View allAll Photos Tagged Merlin
When I was entering the area early in the foggy morning, I first saw a Red-tailed Hawk, then one Merlin flying away with a vole/rat, one mating pair Golden Eagles, another Merlin/Prairie Falcon (could not identify properly due to fog), then multiple RTHs, one Burrowing Owl, few Coyotes, a dead cow, and a flying Bald Eagle; all within few miles of each other. I thought the start of the day could not be better.
I staked out close to the dead cow hoping for some Coyote-Bald Eagle action, nothing happened as long as I was there.
So I drove around for some action, got nothing but few close portraits of RTHs. When the sun finally started to come out of the fog and the light got bright, I thought the early morning signs did not bear any fruit at the end.
Then, in my return path, I found the same two Merlins (yeah, the Prairie Falcon was a Merlin afterall). I believe they are also a mating pair as I found them within half-a-mile.
When taking pictures, I was thinking both the Merlins looked a little different. I did not know Merlins in the US have different variations. I believe these are Prairie Merlins, you be the judge.
Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, Connecticut
At this point in our encounter, I believe this bird was clearly aware of me. I did not try to get any closer and so it stayed in this tree for quite some time.
Merlins are small falcons, probably about the size of a blackbird. What they lack in size however, they make up by their fearless character, as depicted in the photo.
They are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with some flocks being migratory. For example, those resident in Iceland overwinter further south in places like the UK. Throughout their range there are a number of sub-species.
They are often seen flying low at rapid speed in pursuit of smaller birds, which they flush out into the air.
Males and females are easy to tell apart, for the male has slate-grey upper parts, much like a peregrine falcon, whereas the female has brown upper parts, as does juveniles.
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St-Hubert, Québec
One of the Merlins that I think nest nearby, just in front of my local grocery store. It's cool that I can go grocery shopping and then take a few pics.
We came across this Merlin yesterday afternoon during a visit to Brazoria NWR and she was an awesome model. It was such a thrill to be able to observe her beauty from the car for several minutes before moving on. While we watched she just looked around and stayed put giving me enough time to mount my 2x tele-extender on my 500mm lens for a few photos before we drove away leaving her to her fence post.
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Falco columbarius
Magog, Québec.
J'ai aperçu 2 jeunes faucons émerillon qui volaient au-dessus d'une zone boisée près de la rivière Magog. J'ai pu faire quelques prises dans une éclaircie. Pas évident de rester perché en haut avec tout ce vent.
I spotted 2 juvenile merlins flying over the woods and over the river. I was lucky to take a few shots when I saw this one at the top, trying to grab this branch despite a very strong wind.
This is another Merlin (Prairie) that I saw that morning. He was busy eating his breakfast and keeping a watchful eye for other raptors around.
I have struggled to capture a proper image of a merlin for years--too dark, too distant, a poor pose. I was out looking for a Sandhill Crane nest after the property owner told me they see cranes with young (colts) every year. Didn't find the nest, but I did notice a pair of Merlins shooting around. The cloud cover created a mild sense of murky shadow.
Merlins nest across nearly all of Alaska and Canada. This area of northern Michigan is the very southern edge of its nesting territory. They do migrate through the entire US and winter in the West and very south, so they can be spotted virtually anywhere. And I have seen them twice in my yard.
This falcon was flying low at full speed over the field. These small falcons can be very aggressive if challenged by crows or ravins, and love to buzz Great Horned Owls.
There are some small bugs in the picture which I left in.
A Merlin flew by with high speed. Shot through the branches.
Overcast morning in N. of Edmonton. Dec. 2021.
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Found one of two female Merlins the other day. I pulled over to answer a text and couldn't believe this Merlin hanging out on the post. She was there for at least a half hour. I was hoping she would catch something but she was observing the little birdies that kept their distance. The second one had a nice Sparrow I saw later, but was chased away by two crows closing in on her before I could get the shot.
The Merlin is one of four falcon species I have seen during the past ten years of living full time (almost) on the Canadian prairie. The others are the Prairie Falcon, American Kestrel, and Gyrfalcon; only the Peregrine is missing, although I haven't given up hope altogether. In fact, I like having some blank spots on the map; it makes my lucky days all the more exciting.
Some years I see Merlins in my area throughout the winter. And sometimes they will decline to leave their temporary perch when my red Toyota blind rolls to a stop...
Photographed near Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2018 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
Montérégie, Québec.
Merlin with a meal just delivered by her mate.
Faucon émerillon avec un repas tout juste délivré par le mâle.
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Merlin is a Harris' Hawk. They have three Harris' Hawks at the falconry but I always seem to take photos pf Merlin. He is the oldest and most experienced of the bunch and incredibly good at catching his prey in flight.
A merlin was busy hunting in the park when I saw it taking off of a tree (left photo). The intensity and hurried approach left me thinking that it was up for something big. Moments later it flew past me with a hawk, a Meadowhawk dragonfly to be exact (right photo). Downsview Park
Birds in Flight Series.
My first Merlin captured on camera! This bird flew after a bunch of Yellowlegs, but missed them all.
Merlin pairs have been seen teaming up to hunt large flocks of waxwings: one Merlin flushes the flock by attacking from below; the other comes in moments later to take advantage of the confusion.
Montérégie, Québec.
Merlin who does not seem willing to share her meal.
Faucon émerillon qui ne semble pas très encline à partager son repas.
Here is another photo from this past March. I had forgotten about this bird that I saw after photographing some short-eared owls. At the time I mistakingly thought it was a female kestrel but I am quite certain after reviewing my photos that it is actually a merlin. It was probably making its spring migration back north. Here it is with a bird meal it had just finished plucking the feathers out of.