I was pretty lucky on our last trip to the Long Beach Peninsula, an early morning drive on the beach had me 60 feet from a young Merlin. I followed this little falcon for over an hour up and down the beach from one perch to another. These were all shot from the window of my truck.
I love the moment of capture in the second one, and nice background in the first. Some might find it too busy, but I like the tangle of branches in the last one as well.
Oct 14, 2013 at 12:54 PM
Herb Houghton Offline Upload & Sell: On
Great shots of this falcon Louie. I'm pretty sure this is a merlin which is smaller than a peregrine and larger than a kestrel. The thin white striping on the tail is usually a good indication that it is a merlin. I have some juvi peregrines here : https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1230999 #2 is my top pick.
Herb Houghton wrote:
Great shots of this falcon Louie. I'm pretty sure this is a merlin which is smaller than a peregrine and larger than a kestrel. The thin white striping on the tail is usually a good indication that it is a merlin. I have some juvi peregrines here : https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1230999 #2 is my top pick.
Thanks Herb and you are probably correct, I may have been to quick to ID it by not looking closely at my book.
A very nice set of falcon images Louie! The simple BGs work well, and you certainly caught some nice poses (#2 demands a martial arts comment). Well captured!!
Oct 14, 2013 at 01:57 PM
David Leask Offline Upload & Sell: Off
Gorgeous captures Louie, the quality of these are outstanding. The subject looks wonderfully natural and relaxed. Capturing a falcon like this in the WILD is truly a treat and one the experiences that we live for. Heck the last time I was down there it was so foggy I could hardly see the water!
Nice shot, hard to get them on the ground, usually hunt from tops of trees. Interesting that looks like the inland variety (paler), the normal Merlin color for coastal area is quite dark.