Blackburnian's Merlin

No its not a new species I met up with Ted ( Busbyea) and Marc ( Blackburnian) last Friday and we ended up in a ravine behind Mar'c place looking for a Barred Owl. Quite a nice area to explore and quite a workout Never did see Blackburnian's backyard owl however when going to my car we noticed this Merlin sleeping in the tree in his neigbor's front yard....firts time I get to shoot one of these small predators. Both are cropped.

Canon 30D 400mm F5.6 and 1.4X tc with Manfrotto Monopod and Head

First...ISO 320 1/640 sec at F9 +2/3
Second ISO 160 1/640 sec at F8 +2/3

Wow...excellent shots Gary. Number two is my favorite. Love the lighting and composition. Very sharp with good details. Well done indeed.

Awesome shot Gary. I've never seen one of these in the wild.

-Carl

Hey! You stole Marc's Merlin...
I must say you've done a very good job exposing this shot. Sharpness allows details to show well. Nice lighting and composition.
It was GREAT to see SOMETHING in Marc's Paradise. WOROUT indeed; I still haven't recovered.

Hi,
great capture,especially to get him sleeping. I love the one leg stand, he looks sleepy in #2. Very well exposed all round.
Regards,
Clare

Beautiful! I've never knowingly seen one of these guys in the wild.

Good timing!

Another fine job Gary. I've never seen one of these and you made a great capture. Sharp, well exposed and great color. Nice.

Ron

Nicely done Gary, it must have been the one I photographed some months ago here. Looks like the leaves are now just coming out.

Wow, Nice shots Gary. Why the birds up north are much more friendly and approachable? The ones here are just too.......*****sigh***​*

2nd one looks better Gary (open eyes) but a bit of crop would help to get rid of some branches.

Little warm in the chest and a touch soft in the face but still a good shot of a small falcon. Isn't this bird a little out of it's range?

Nice looking bird! Captured well, I love the deep blue sky and the way it makes the bird stand out.

Good capture with a tuff background... nice capture...

Yes indeed a good capture, and the details of the birds plumage and feathers are of very good detail.

I love them both, eyes closed (how unusual ) and eyes open (how gorgeous). Lots of branches, but they look rather interesting with all those buds.