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A bit of luck - Merlin

Discussion

12 replies
Posted by Ian Hay on October 3, 2012 at 5:56 PM
A bit of luck - Merlin
Yesterday my policy of always having the camera within reach paid off, I was driving between meetings along the side of aberdeen harbour when i noticed a small falcon by the side of the road. I drove passed, did a u turn, opened the widow, reached for the camera and to my suprise it stayed put for long enough for me to take 3 shots.

The iso was a bit high iso 800 giving a shutter speed of 1/6400 at f5.6. but who cares. Given a another couple of minutes some wide shots would have looked great with a cityscape in the background, as it is the band across the screen is the north breakwater.

Next i need to find a Buzzard the stays put when I stop the car!!

All comments really welcome

100 - 400, full frame

Ian
Posted by Nick on October 3, 2012 at 6:44 PM
Nice to see one 'static' - normally only see them in a blur chasing after some poor meadow pipit on the moors in summer. BTW, looks like this one is a youngster.

:wavey:
Posted by Graham Goddard on October 4, 2012 at 3:02 AM
Like the lighting and BG, shame about the perch, but you take what you get when something like this presents itself :toast:
Posted by Andy Astbury on October 4, 2012 at 4:29 AM
That's on heck of a grab shot Ian :toast:

It is an eyass Merlin - dinky little thing :wavey:
Posted by Neil Burton on October 4, 2012 at 4:31 AM
Stonking shot. If you find a buzzard that stays put please use spirit to remove the glue!
Posted by David Sewell on October 4, 2012 at 4:46 AM
Never mind the buzzard, I'm amazed that a merlin stayed still for so long. A lucky opportunity, but you made the most of it.

David
Posted by John Robinson on October 4, 2012 at 7:43 AM
Great grab. As mentioned -pity about the perch but you take what you can,
Good stuff.
JR
Posted by keith mitchell on October 4, 2012 at 7:44 AM
Luck maybe?that's a great capture Ian.
Posted by Bob Johnson on October 4, 2012 at 12:06 PM
You lucky so and so :biggrin:

Bob :wink:
Posted by Robert Lawrence on October 5, 2012 at 11:33 AM
That certainly was lucky. Nits covered. :toast:
Posted by Paul Whippey on October 5, 2012 at 7:07 PM
A great capture. You must have the reactions of superman! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by Craig Jones on October 8, 2012 at 2:29 PM
Beautiful image top class :wink: :wavey:
Posted by Ian Hay on October 9, 2012 at 9:10 AM
Thanks so much for the comments,

Some times you just get that bit of luck however I wish i had had more time so I could have taken a wide angle with Aberdeen Harbour and City as the backdrop. Maybe next time :biggrin:

Ian