Well, this photo was made on Hog Island the site of a National Audubon Society camp. There were many expert birders present.
There was no discussion about the predator… definitely a merlin.
There was some discussion as to the identity of the prey. The consensus was that it is a white-breasted nuthatch. This was interesting because nuthatches are not know to breed on the island. Thus, the merlin must have been hunting on the nearby mainland.
You can read the story behind this photo here: http://gorga.org/blog/?p=2516
Remarkable. I loved your narration.
Nice.
Nice sharp composition against the white background.
It was an overcast day… not ideal for landscapes but it oaten works well for wildlife.
Your patience and preparation were simply rewarded.
Great action shot. But the color of the bird looks a little off compared to what I’ve seen on the web (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin/id).
Well, this photo was made on Hog Island the site of a National Audubon Society camp. There were many expert birders present.
There was no discussion about the predator… definitely a merlin.
There was some discussion as to the identity of the prey. The consensus was that it is a white-breasted nuthatch. This was interesting because nuthatches are not know to breed on the island. Thus, the merlin must have been hunting on the nearby mainland.
Great shot and amazing patience on your part. Thanks for sharing your story and additional images!