Merlin – Launching An Attack
Small yet fierce, the Merlin is a fast and powerful falcon. I luckily sighted one perched on a single tree snag surrounded by marsh along the wildlife drive at Blackwater NWR a few days ago.
He turned his gaze towards my direction.
Finding me in my car boring, the Merlin redirected his focus back to the marsh…..
Merlin back on watch
and then immediately shot off the perch for a dive attack.
Merlin launching for an attack
Merlin diving fast towards the marsh
Merlin diving into the marsh
I waited to see if it reappeared with a catch, but to no avail.
I thought that might be best for me anyways and drove away to look for my next photo opportunity that was hopefully waiting up ahead. 🙂
Great photos, Donna. And great reflexes to catch that dive so well.
Thank you, Susan! It happened immediately, I was glad I was still trying to get him with a nice profile. 😉
Nice catch on the flight dive.
Thank you!
Very nice Donna!
Thank you, Belinda!
Great action here!! 🙂
Thank you, Indira!! 🙂
We have these little Falcons over here, they are superbly acrobatic when chasing prey like Pipits. Great catch Donna!
Thank you, Brian! 🙂
Wow that’s beautiful. Well done!
Thank you, Isabel! 🙂
Wonderful photos Donna! He’s a very attractive bird. 😎
Thank you, John! 🙂
Great Series Of Images! I have never seen a Merlin there! Have to keep an eye open on our next visit!
Thank you Reed! That was my first Merlin at Blackwater also. 🙂
Wonderful shots, Donna. You always seem to be
I was about to say that you and your camera always seem to be in the right place at the right time. 😅
Thank you, Sylvia! 🙂 I do get a few RPRT moments which means I’m out there trying to always be ready and watching for something to happen! hee hee I love it when it does!! 😊
Great captures! You captured the dive they are famous for! Thanks, Donna. 🙂
Thank you, HJ! 🙂
Simply marvelous and utterly beautiful. I’m running out of superlatives! 😀
Thank you, Gunta! 😀 😊
Wow! It looks like it would be fast! 🙂
It was, I was glad I was still trying to shoot the Merlin’s profile and had the lens on it already. No way enough time for me to lift up the lens and catch it! 🙂
Great shots. Those birds are very quick off the mark so you did very well to catch it.
Thank you, Tom, I’ve only seen a Merlin a few times in my life so this one will be memorable for sure. 🙂
I agree with all comments Donna. What a wonderful “catch” for you 🙂 And Merlin is very handsome too.
Thank you, Takami! I was a lucky gal at the right place and the Merlin didn’t care about my presence. 🙂
I think Merlin (and most male birds) seem to enjoy being the center of attention sometimes 😀
Of course, this is daydreaming on my part 😉 And if I may also agree with Tanja’s comment too. While I know and appreciate that hunters catching prey is a part of life, I am “glad” I don’t have to always be witness to it. Thank you again, for sharing such a wonderful series ❤
Thank you, Takami! I think you’re right! 😉 Yes, not seeing their mealtime is good, it’s too hard. Except how come we (or I) don’t get squeamish when an Osprey or Cormorant or Kingfisher (and others!) catch and eat a fish?! 😲 Hmmmm…… 🙂
Yes, I understand exactly what you mean! I feel very guilty of having a double-standard… Many times I realize how I never even considered how it must be from the poor fish’s point of view…🥺😰
You captured a great sequence of the Merlin’s take-off. I, for one, am glad that it didn’t reappear with anything in its talons. I know these things are happening, but I don’t have to watch them!
Thank you, Tanja! I’ve seen it a few times, and then, of course, tried to capture the action; but dear me, I really also would prefer not to have the appearance of a catch in the first place. I’m with you, Tanja!
Great diving captures Donna. Like true small raptors we don’t always get to see the prey as if it is small they will eat on the ground. This Merlin shows the traits of a true Falcon in the way it dives on its prey.
Thank you, Ashley! It was a special treat to be there and capture this. 🙂
Great action capture, Donna, and what a gorgeous bird! I hope you get to see him again!
Thank you, Ellen! Me too!