The Merlin Scores a Meal: Larger than a Kestrel and smaller than a Peregrine, this fierce little falcon hunts with pathological determination and stunning speed. Like the...

optic Loc: Southwestern United States

Larger than a Kestrel and smaller than a Peregrine, this fierce little falcon hunts with pathological determination and stunning speed. Like the record-holding Peregrines, Merlins are capable of striking airborne prey from above, below, and even from the side. I actually witnessed one snatch a large dragonfly from the air as it circled a pond.

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Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

optic wrote:

Larger than a Kestrel and smaller than a Peregrine, this fierce little falcon hunts with pathological determination and stunning speed. Like the record-holding Peregrines, Merlins are capable of striking airborne prey from above, below, and even from the side. I actually witnessed one snatch a large dragonfly from the air as it circled a pond.

Great shot of a rare bird! Thanx for sharing!

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

optic wrote:

Larger than a Kestrel and smaller than a Peregrine, this fierce little falcon hunts with pathological determination and stunning speed. Like the record-holding Peregrines, Merlins are capable of striking airborne prey from above, below, and even from the side. I actually witnessed one snatch a large dragonfly from the air as it circled a pond.

Great image!!!!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

optic wrote:

Larger than a Kestrel and smaller than a Peregrine, this fierce little falcon hunts with pathological determination and stunning speed. Like the record-holding Peregrines, Merlins are capable of striking airborne prey from above, below, and even from the side. I actually witnessed one snatch a large dragonfly from the air as it circled a pond.

This is a rare thing for most of us to see let alone capture in a photo.
I have seen hawks dive down several times along the road as I drive and catch something but never had a camera.
Those several times over decades of driving.
Great shot and story.
Thank you for sharing.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

optic wrote:

Larger than a Kestrel and smaller than a Peregrine, this fierce little falcon hunts with pathological determination and stunning speed. Like the record-holding Peregrines, Merlins are capable of striking airborne prey from above, below, and even from the side. I actually witnessed one snatch a large dragonfly from the air as it circled a pond.

Cool image. Where did you find this Merlin? Peterson does not list them any further South than a visitor to Washington State. I do not think I have ever seen or really heard of them in the South-West, California.

hettmoe Loc: Rural ND

Very nice!

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

An excellent capture.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Well done!

optic Loc: Southwestern United States

Thanks, Sinewsworn:
Merlins were once considered rare in urban situations, but since organochloride pesticides (DDT) were outlawed, their numbers have steadily increased as have suburban sightings. However, Merlins innately prefer to breed and hunt in open, sweeping, environments and are most likely to be encountered in the vicinity of fields and meadows. Bearing this, their small size, and rapid, non-soaring, flight in mind, members of the Pacific Subspecies (generally darker than the Taiga Subspecies in the photo) should be seen in your area.

optic Loc: Southwestern United States

Thanks, Manglesphoto:

optic Loc: Southwestern United States

Thank you, Architect1776:
I appreciate your observation and the compliment...

optic Loc: Southwestern United States

Thanks, lamiaceae:
There are there regional Merlin populations in North America; Prairie, Pacific and Taiga. Each migrating north or south as the season may demand. The successful hunter I posted is a Taiga Merlin. Pacific Merlins are darker, Prairie Merlins are lighter. Taiga Merlins are the most widespread and may migrate into Mexico and Central America. The one attached to this reply is a Prairie Merlin, photographed in a Phoenix suburb. (He would not measure much longer than a foot in length.) The posted Taiga Merlin was on Douglas Island, in Southeast Alaska...

optic Loc: Southwestern United States

Thank you, hettmoe:
I appreciate the response...

optic Loc: Southwestern United States

Thanks, kpmac:
I welcome your comments...

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

optic wrote:

Larger than a Kestrel and smaller than a Peregrine, this fierce little falcon hunts with pathological determination and stunning speed. Like the record-holding Peregrines, Merlins are capable of striking airborne prey from above, below, and even from the side. I actually witnessed one snatch a large dragonfly from the air as it circled a pond.