When I first caught sight of this bird in the distance, I thought it might be a Red-shouldered Hawk, but I may have gotten lucky and captured some shots of a Merlin (Falco columbarius) this morning at Huntley Meadows Park. The past few months there have been repeated sightings of a pair of these falcons, but I personally have seen one of them on only two occasions. After so many recent days of cloud-filled skies, it was nice to have some sunshine and blue skies today, though the temperature was right around the freezing mark when I set out in the pre-dawn darkness.
UPDATE: One of my Facebook viewers has suggested that this looks to him to be an immature Red-tailed Hawk. As you can see, bird identification is not one of my strengths.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Great pictures
Thanks so much. Happy New Year.
Wishing you a healthy, prosperous and joyfilled year(s)…
Thanks so much. Best wishes to you and to yours as we begin a new year.
I’m pretty sure it’s the Merlin that has been scoping out my bird feeders!
So many great shots this year, Mike. Happy New Year – I’m looking forward to following you into 2017.
Thanks, Dan. The nature of wildlife photography is such that I never know what I see or what I will be able to photograph. Each encounter is unique and the conditions are never the same. I think that is why I am perfectly happy to go to the same places over and over again–it never gets old. Happy New Year to you, Dan.
There’s an “Oh, look what I saw today !” enthusiasm and insight that delights me about your fine photography…and prose, Mike. Happy New Year !
Thanks, Bonnie. I am constantly amazed by the beauty of the natural world and have a kind of childlike curiosity about it. Your comment shows that I am at least somewhat successful in conveying my sense of excitement to others about what I am doing and seeing, Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2017.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year2017..Greetings and well wishes from bird and wildlife photography..
Best wishes for a wonderful 2017 to you.
Regardless of which bird it is, the shots are great. That second one in particular captures the aerodynamics of the bird’s structure perfectly.
Thanks, Laura. There is a real sense of satisfaction in successfully getting shots of a bird in flight–so many things have to work together.
Wonderful images, Mike! Happy 2017!
Thanks, Pete. Happy New Year.
Move over Alan P., there’s a new BiF Photo Master in town!
Thanks for the words of encouragement, Walter. I’m still working on my techniques, but hope to keep improving.