Merlin

Gallery: AvianPosted September 14, 2010120 views9 comments

Fall migration is underway and I hope to make it to some hot spots this weekend. In the meantime, I got out for my first real photo session in weeks this evening and got real lucky with this Merlin before sunset. It was only the 3rd Merlin I'd seen along this stretch of the barrier beach over the years (they can be found in the dozens 60 miles to the West on good days). It spooked when another vehicle came by (which I expected) and I just wish it had been perched on a snag instead of a wire.

Nikon D300s 300 f4 + 1.7X TC HH from car
f/7.1
1/640s
ISO 640

Cropped to 66%, minor clone of another OOF wire in ULC, sharpened

- Luke

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on September 14, 2010 at 9:10 PM

Nice light and the perch is ok with me. It does appear a little soft on my monitor.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Day on September 14, 2010 at 11:18 PM

Sometimes you can't control where they perch. Nice colors.

Registered on August 5, 2008, 25 Posts, 173 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 15, 2010 at 12:20 AM

I saw several of these guys this weekend, but sadly they weren't staying put. I might reduce the saturation on the Merlin a little and try to reduce the contrast a little. I like these guys, lots of attitude.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on September 15, 2010 at 3:27 AM

Wonderful image of a stunning little raptor Luke. You'll get your wish for a better perch someday for sure. Nicely done.

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 15, 2010 at 9:12 AM

Gary,

I know the colors are quite rich, but this was actually straight from the camera in RAW (I can only imagine how saturated an in camera .jpeg would have been). I'd like to hear others thoughts on the saturation though - it was taken about 30 minutes before sunset.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 15, 2010 at 9:35 AM

Late light looks good Luke, nice warm color & bit of catchlight there.
Great framing, the wire will just have to do

Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 15, 2010 at 9:58 AM

The colors given the light look OK to me Luke. The is just short of tack sharp in the larger version. As you stated, the wire is not the optimal perch, but just seeing these guys is awesome. I will start see them in a few weeks down here. I have yet to get a good image of one. Maybe this year.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on September 15, 2010 at 10:30 AM

Nice pose and framing. The warm tones look fine to me. I might try to lighten the bird a touch if it were mine and I wish it were. Nicely captured

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on September 19, 2010 at 8:19 PM

Luke,

I like the intense look you appear to be getting from the Merlin, the warm tones and the pose. I think a little less contrast might benefit the image by increasing the visible details in the darker tones.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments