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Merlin


Merlin
Photo Information
Copyright: Mario Belanger (EOSF1) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1427 W: 128 N: 5252] (23221)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-09-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 20D, Canon EF 100-400 F4-5.6 L IS USM, ISO 200, B+W 77 010 UV-Haze 1 x
Exposure: f/8, 1/1000 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Date Submitted: 2008-07-31 8:52
Viewed: 608
Points: 30
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
A Merlin (Falco columbarius, 25 to 32 cm) shot at Ile Bizard.

A small falcon of northern forests and prairies, the Merlin is the least well-marked of the American falcons. It is becoming a regular breeder in urban areas.
Description
Small hawk. Long, pointed wings. Long, banded tail. Faint mustache mark. Brown streaking on chest and belly. Back unmarked gray or brown.
Size: 24-30 cm (9-12 in)
Wingspan: 53-68 cm (21-27 in)
Weight: 160-240 g (5.65-8.47 ounces)
Sex Differences
Sexes similar, but male smaller and gray on back, female brown.
Sound
Call a high "kee, kee, kee."
Conservation Status
Expanding breeding range and may be increasing in numbers.
Other Names
Faucon émerillon (French)
Esmerejón (Spanish)
Pigeon Hawk (English)
Cool Facts
The Merlin does not build a nest, but instead takes over old nests of other raptors or crows. It sometimes nests on top of domed magpie nests rather than in the nest cavity.

mala-zaba, ramthakur, CeltickRanger, maurydv, jaycee, nglen, uleko, siggi, Argus, sranjan, claudine, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Dear Mario,
Rare capture of such beautiful falcon. Great sharpness, POV, framing & composition. TFS.
Regards-Subhash

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2770 W: 151 N: 7984] (24857)
  • [2008-07-31 9:51]

Hello Mario,
We have the same species in Sweden but I have only managed to take a shot of a juvenile Merlin at a distance.
This is a fine capture with good lighting from an excellent POV and in a great composition. The blue sky forms a fine BG and I like the framing.
TFS this beauty,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • siggi Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 477 W: 11 N: 1348] (4706)
  • [2008-07-31 9:52]

Hello Mario,
A very nice capture of this falcon. The composition and POV are excellent. The subject is well place with very nice details. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Regards Siggi

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2585 W: 170 N: 7879] (24911)
  • [2008-07-31 10:09]

Hello Mario,
Great capture of this Merlin resting on the dead tree trunk. Fine sharp details and it looks great against the blue sky. Well done!
TFS and regards, Ulla

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2130 W: 9 N: 5960] (22528)
  • [2008-07-31 10:25]

Hi mario. A lucky capture this Merlin . You have a nice pose on the old tree stump . Good detail and colours. stands out againt the blue sky. well done TFS. good notes too.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1911 W: 8 N: 4976] (16095)
  • [2008-07-31 10:47]

Hi Mario,

A wonderful shot of this Merlin posing so nicely on the tree stump. The face, eye, wings and plummage are all in excellent detail. Beautiful natural colors with the blue sky making a perfect background.

Jane

It is nice to see you branching out from the songbirds etc. although I love those too. I'm not familiar with this fellow. It is really nice because of the simplicity of the composition and the sharpness of the image.

TFS
Evelynn : )

Ciao Mario,
splendida cattura di questo rapace, eccellente composizione con una bella posa su un fantastico e vecchio tronco, ottima nitidezza e bello il dettaglio dell'occhio con il riflesso, molto belli i colori e il cielo azzurro.
Grazie e complimenti.
Maurizio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1107 W: 6 N: 3063] (11326)
  • [2008-07-31 16:59]

Salut Mario,un different point de vue, pour une autre magnifique photo,la position du oiseux est parfaite,j'aime aussi le derriere photo avec un bleu tres tres jolie,mes compliments,Luciano

salut Mario

superbe ton image de ce faucon, superbe car de ton POV, cadrage vertical
et surtout de l'intensité dans le regard du rapace, belle luminosité
sur le rapace avec un beau beackground ciel bleu, TFS

Asbed

Beautiful picture, Mario.
I assume it is some special kind of filter that has given intensity to the blue sky.
The bird looks very attractive against this BG.

hi Mario,
I love the merlins and you have represented much good here!
TFS
Angelo

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 371 W: 0 N: 164] (2244)
  • [2008-08-01 5:40]

Your birds are always wonderful and this one is great too.

Salut Mario,
Belle prise. Le regard qu'a le faucon vers toi et le magnifique ciel bleu foncé donnent un beau résultat. Par contre, sur le moniteur du travail (non calibré), la poitrine est un peu caché par les ombres. J'ai fait un rapide workshop.
Félicitation pour ta capture,
Eric

Salut Mario,
C'est toujours impressionnant de voir ces oiseaux. L'an dernier 2 nichaient dans un arbre pas trop loin de chez nous mais malheureusement, l'arbre est tombé durant une tempête... C'est de toute beauté comme capture avec une belle lumière dans son oeil. J'aime bien l'éclairage aussi. Je viens juste de recevoir la visite d'un Pic Flamboyant dans ma cours mais je n'ai pas eu le temps de le photographier :( Je vois plein de nouvelles variétés d'oiseaux ces temps-ci et à noter : Les Orioles sont revenues :) Bonne fin de semaine!
Claudine

Bonsoir Mario,

Le faucon émerillon semble observer quelque chose devant lui. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails et les couleurs de l'oiseau. Le sujet est bien cadré. Les couleurs sont rehaussées par la qualité de la lumière. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

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