Falcons tend to have long toes but I thought those of this Merlin in flight (2nd image) were especially well seen. Merlins are bird-hunting specialists and they often snag their quarry right out of the air in flight so the bigger “net” they can throw the better.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this female last week in Montana’s Centennial Valley. When they’re perched or in full flight with their legs tucked the length of the toes is seldom obvious. But when this bird took off…
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
those unusually long and thin toes were well displayed. I can only imagine what it must look like to potential prey with all eight toes splayed out and coming at them in the air. Add to that the incredible speed, maneuverability and tenacity of the Merlin and you have an extremely effective predator of small birds in flight.
I do wish the second shot were a little sharper but I decided that it’s sharp enough for my purposes here. Considering the flight speed of the Merlin I was lucky to get what I did…
Ron
Really liked tihs for the toe shot. 😀
The proportions of the merlin and kestrel wings are different. The merlin’s are proportioned like the peregrine. The Cornell course on raptors illustrates this with falcon silhouettes.
A perfect illustration that speed does indeed kill.
Love the power and the concentration (and the unsheathed weaponry) so evident here.
Thank you, EC. Glad you like it.
thank you Ron.
those are awesome weapons.
You’re very welcome, Diana. And yes they are.
Ron, if you had not mentioned it I would have not notice the lack of sharpness. You photos are always great.
And I come here for both the beauty & my edumacation 😉 😈
Thanks, David. That second shot is pretty soft, even with some extra sharpening applied to the bird.
That first shot is an exquisite portrait of this Merlin. I love the look of concentration on her face. Her toes remind me of lizard toes, with their length.
“Her toes remind me of lizard toes, with their length.”
Interesting observation, Susan. Thank you.
I loved both shots and again I’m learning about a species I’ve never seen (that I know of) or photographed…hope I get a chance someday! Do you see them in Utah? Thanks so much…Jer
Thanks, Jerry. Yes, I see them in Utah occasionally. There’s one in this post that I photographed on Antelope Island.
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2015/04/13/some-interesting-observations-on-antelope-island-yesterday/
Wow! That’s amazing! You captured what I have never seen before Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte. I see a lot of things through my lens (or in my photos) that I’d never before seen too. That’s part of the reason I do what I do…
What a look of determination. You did good!
Thanks, Jean.
Seeing that second image and looking at those settings I can imagine how fast that Merlin was flying.
Very impressive toes. They must be the nightmare of small birds.
“Seeing that second image and looking at those settings I can imagine how fast that Merlin was flying.”
I like the way you study the settings, Jorge. It allows for a little more insight into the situation, which you interpreted well, IMO.
my most remarkable Merlin sighting was one that spooked a large group of Barn Swallows and chased after them out of our sight. Such a display of flight and evasion by both species! It appeared that the Merlin was insuccessful, but we never knew.
Carolyn, To even ATTEMPT to catch a swallow in flight is evidence of their hunting prowess.
I had a smallish dog,years ago, a black lab mix, with big ears, big heart and BIG feet…should have named him “Merlin”…
How do the Merlin and the Kestrel compare in size…and in toe length?
Merlin – wingspan 24″, weight 6.5 oz. Kestrel – wingspan 22″, weight 4.1 oz. Don’t know about the toe length.
So they aren’t really that much bigger…another cute little assassin!