Merlin and Bird McMuffin

Gallery: AvianPosted November 11, 20043,505 views23 comments

Breakfast time, Merlin style. I went out on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands today, looking for Gyrfalcons (although there's only been 1 report so far). I had to "settle" for a Merlin, munching on breakfast just after dawn. She (or a immature he?) was very cooperative.

Canon 300D, 400 5.6L. USM, levels, cropped from horizontal.

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Ofer Levy on November 12, 2004 at 12:41 AM

This is stunning!!!!!!!!!!

Registered on July 23, 2004, 172 Posts, 1513 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zipp on November 12, 2004 at 7:48 AM

Beautiful shot Terry! I like the somewhat sidelighting.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments

Comment posted by George Hall, Jr on November 12, 2004 at 9:04 AM

Very nice capture Terry....in more ways than one. Very nice detail, great image.

Registered on July 11, 2004, 283 Posts, 2395 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Heironymus on November 12, 2004 at 9:40 AM

I too like the side lighting. Just enough for a great catchlight.<br>Great sharpness and background. I also like your perches.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 36 Posts, 1110 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Kipp on November 12, 2004 at 9:43 AM

Very nice capture of this feeding Merlin. Well done,
Rob Kipp

Registered on June 23, 2004, 11 Posts, 265 Comments

Comment posted by Jeroen Stel on November 12, 2004 at 9:51 AM

Great feeding time shot Terry!!
Well done!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel

Registered on November 10, 2003, 366 Posts, 481 Comments

Comment posted by Garth McElroy on November 12, 2004 at 9:52 AM

WOW!!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 248 Posts, 4406 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on November 12, 2004 at 10:26 AM

Outstanding!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Skip Layman on November 12, 2004 at 10:36 AM

This is terrific! You might consider cropping from the top to get rid of the light area. Just a personal taste thing. Golly, I wish this were mine!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 558 Posts, 1704 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Van Rafelghem on November 12, 2004 at 2:07 PM

Beautiful bird and nice BG!

Registered on November 25, 2003, 82 Posts, 300 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Malueg on November 12, 2004 at 3:21 PM

Terry,

Awesome, sweet light and clean BG..Great Image.

Denny Malueg
central Wisconsin

Registered on February 6, 2004, 0 Posts, 8 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Garber on November 12, 2004 at 6:45 PM

Awesome!

Registered on November 17, 2003, 704 Posts, 3535 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Reid on November 12, 2004 at 7:04 PM

I could look at this one all day.
Falcon with prey, great background, lighting to die for and the detail and color are perfect!!!!

Registered on November 4, 2004, 95 Posts, 324 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 12, 2004 at 7:53 PM

First rate image - well done!

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

Comment posted by Paul Fusco on November 12, 2004 at 8:32 PM

Sweet shot, Terry!!
The light is great. I like slight sidelight better with digital than with film.
Any idea what the prey item is? Looks like a sparrow species.

- Paul

Registered on November 17, 2003, 283 Posts, 1163 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on November 12, 2004 at 10:00 PM

Terry

Great shot

with the 3/4 lighting handled beautifully

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on November 12, 2004 at 11:44 PM

Not sure what the prey item is Paul. Considering it's lacking it's head (note blood on Merlin's beak), an important clue is gone!! I have many shots I haven't processed. Maybe it's clearer on one of those.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Jasper Doest on November 13, 2004 at 4:26 AM

Hi Terry, I had to look twice to see the catch. Nice shot in some good light. The side-lighting works fine here. Not sure if the sky works in this photograph. Keep 'm coming.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 371 Posts, 2101 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce Sherman on November 13, 2004 at 7:24 PM

Terry,
I would happily "settle" for a shot like this. Very nice BG.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 165 Posts, 1116 Comments

Comment posted by Helge Sorensen on November 14, 2004 at 11:22 AM

Oh my, this is gordious - especially with that red beak!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 186 Posts, 1526 Comments

Comment posted by John Varley on November 14, 2004 at 11:24 AM

Superb Terry
John

Registered on November 1, 2003, 4 Posts, 51 Comments

Comment posted by Duane Rosenkranz on November 14, 2004 at 3:07 PM

Awesome shot

Duane Rosenkranz

Registered on October 13, 2004, 280 Posts, 2661 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Kijewski on November 16, 2004 at 12:22 PM

SWEETNESS

Registered on February 17, 2004, 166 Posts, 3390 Comments