I was on my lunch break when I saw some sort of raptor swoop by near my office window, so I quickly got my camera to investigate the trees near by.
From the distance I could see something there, but I thought it was just a crow. As I got closer I thought it might be an immature redtail hawk, but after asking around I found out it was an immature merlin, probably a male because of its size. So far this has been the year of firsts, I got some pics of my first sharp shinned hawk a few weeks back, now a merlin
He didn't seem to mind that I was approaching, he was high in the trees so I guess he felt safe. He gazed at me as I approached.
I asked him if I could take some pic of him? He replied "huh? pictures of me? what for?
That's when I said "well, I really enjoy taking photographs of birds, raptors in particular, you make a great subject!" After thinking about it the merlin replied "ssssuuuuuurrreee! I don't see why not!" With a thumbs up (or should I say talon up? ) I took a few shots.
I'm a little shy
Is this a better pose?
I wish I had more time to wait there and attempt to get some pictures of him in flight but my 30 minutes left of my lunch break was up so I had to go back to work. I said my sincere thank you's to the kind Merlin and took one last shot.
Either he mooned me or was about to take off
All images were heavy crops, probably about 80%.
From the distance I could see something there, but I thought it was just a crow. As I got closer I thought it might be an immature redtail hawk, but after asking around I found out it was an immature merlin, probably a male because of its size. So far this has been the year of firsts, I got some pics of my first sharp shinned hawk a few weeks back, now a merlin
He didn't seem to mind that I was approaching, he was high in the trees so I guess he felt safe. He gazed at me as I approached.
I asked him if I could take some pic of him? He replied "huh? pictures of me? what for?
That's when I said "well, I really enjoy taking photographs of birds, raptors in particular, you make a great subject!" After thinking about it the merlin replied "ssssuuuuuurrreee! I don't see why not!" With a thumbs up (or should I say talon up?
) I took a few shots.
I'm a little shy
Is this a better pose?
I wish I had more time to wait there and attempt to get some pictures of him in flight but my 30 minutes left of my lunch break was up so I had to go back to work. I said my sincere thank you's to the kind Merlin and took one last shot.
Either he mooned me or was about to take off
All images were heavy crops, probably about 80%.
![[No title]](/data/xfmg/thumbnail/32/32941-f21147be61c00828a23d6ce011d840eb.jpg?1619735773)
