Prairie Merlin

Gallery: AvianPosted February 7, 201188 views12 comments

Taken from my favorite winter blind (01 Cavalier). I'm happy with this but kicking myself for looking at my LCD right when it gave me a nice flight shot opportunity. Taught me a lesson, anyway.

I've seen it around recently, so I'm hoping for another shot at it.

D300s, Sigma 150-500mm
500mm
1/1000, f/6.3, ISO 800

Thanks for looking.

edit: cropped about 50% of ff.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 7, 2011 at 6:57 PM

We all have been guilty of trying to get instant gratification and checking the LCD when we should be focusing on our subject and missing a sweet shot.

I like this a lot - merlins are great and prairie merlins even more so! I find the branches complimentary and not distracting which is never easy to accomplish. Well done.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 7, 2011 at 8:59 PM

Raymond,

Great pose & eye contact, love the habitat in the frame and the lovely light.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 7, 2011 at 9:10 PM

Nice pose, compa and inclusion of habitat.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 7, 2011 at 11:22 PM

Very nice as posted. Natural. Good subject size in the composition.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 8, 2011 at 12:04 AM

Nice image. Chimping gets the best of all of us.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 8, 2011 at 6:05 AM

Nice light, pose and I like the setting very much. I would like to get a shot of a merlin as nice as this.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 8, 2011 at 10:15 AM

Nice detail in the larger version and I like the composition, good head turn to catch the eye, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on February 8, 2011 at 3:06 PM

Nice BIH image. I have never heard of a Prairie Merlin before! Thanks for posting!

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 8, 2011 at 5:38 PM

Very nice Raymond. Love comp with the branches and the nice head turn. Very natural looking shot with good detail in the bird. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 8, 2011 at 9:11 PM

Hi Raymond

Beautifully composed , capturing the Merlin and the natural habitat just right

The detail, pose and eye contact are very well done

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 8, 2011 at 11:26 PM

Excellent photo Raymond. Looks like you had some nice warm light to work with. He stands out very well against the sky. Some evidence of a recent meal near his talons.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 9, 2011 at 2:00 AM

Lovely shot Raymond - like the setting, comp and light

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments