Mr. Merlin

[Tyger]

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.
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/juvss4.jpg

I asked him if I could take some pic of him? He replied "huh? pictures of me? what for?
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/juvss2.jpg

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.
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/juvss3.jpg

[Tyger]

I'm a little shy
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/juvss5.jpg

Is this a better pose?
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/juvss6.jpg


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.
http://www.monzoncreative.com/birds/juvss1.jpg

Either he mooned me or was about to take off


All images were heavy crops, probably about 80%.

[urstwile]

Those are great, Tyger, and I love the script that captioned the photos. Very nice indeed. :)

[budafist]

Thanks for adding the wee story. It makes the viewing all the more enjoyable :)

[frankster]

Love the way he's looking right at you in the first and last shot!

[morea]

lol, definitely great pics, and the story made me smile. :)

[Exodus]

Love the pics. The narration was great! :)

[mac.FINN]

Nice shots, Tyger!

I saw a raptor at Downsview station the otherday (I've seen him there a couple of times) and I thought of you. lol.

Didn't see it well enough to know what it was though.

Nice find with the Merlin though, great bird.

[Kool]

LOL, great set Tyger.

[cornfed]

Those are awesome, Tyger! Are you sure he's giving you the thumbs up and not the finger?!

[DesignerScott]

Not so sure that was a thumbs up as him flipping you the bird (pun intended, unfortunately). Awesome shots, what lens are you shootin' those through again?

[X Evan X]

Congrats on another first. Excellent shots thank you for posting them

-E

[D-Frag]

awesome man, we don't have birds here, i wish we did. nice captions mang!

[Mynock]

awesome man, we don't have birds here, i wish we did. nice captions mang!You do have roadrunners don't you? BEEP! BEEP!

[Tyger]

ha...ha.. flippin' the bird...good one :)

DScott: I use a canon 100-400mm for any of my wildlife pics.

Thanx for looking and commenting folks.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Wonderful shots Tyger ... and love the read along to go with it ;)