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Bird ID
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I am not posting this image for critique or comment more to just figure out what it is:
To me it looks like ‘Hobby’ but i am not to sure. Definately a Bird of Prey… It had a wing-span of about 500mm or so and was shot on the Boyne Estuary on Sunday morning. It came apon me very fast and had no time to compose etc hence the really tiny, crappy crop form the 20D and 300 F4 IS…!
Anyone able to properly ID it…?
Richie[/img]
Richie,
I reckon what you have there from the behaviour, time of year and size is a female Merlin.
MJ
Hi MJ,
That was the first thought that came into my head when viewing the image but I thought it looked a bit bigger than a Merlin… I have 3 different birding books and the Merlin in the 3 of them looks different…! All the same you are probably right as it is very similar to the females markings and colours…!
Thanks a million… I will definately keep my eyes peeled the next time I am out there…!
Richie
I’ll second female merlin. I also sought expert counsel and he says the same.
Exciting bird, isn’t it? I saw one in the garden last year – she overflew my bird table where the tits and finches had been moments before. I heard an alarm call (greenfinch) and all the small birds dived into the hedge. About 1 second later the merlin appeared and then was gone again.
Thanks Pete… yeah it looks like a nice little birdy…! I absolutely love birds of prey but still have yet to get a decent shot of anything in the wild… i have come so close on many occasions but always miss a decent shot by seconds…. Not just with birds of prey… On Sunday as I was driving home i slowed down around a small bridge over a river only to spot a kingfisher sitting on a branch about 10 meters away… as usual i had the 20d and 300 f4 IS sitting on the passenger seat but as soon as I lifted it it flew off…! Typical..!
Thanks again
Richie
There’s nothing like watching Birds of Prey. I thought I’d found a Marsh Harrier but I was later informed it was a Kestrel. Not as rare but the silver lining was that she (I think it was a she) doesn’t leave for the winter. The first time I ever saw a wild bird of prey was in Africa earlier this year. I thought I’d never see one here. It was thrilling.
I had a rush of adrenaline when I found her a second time near the original location. She’s always been too far to photograph well but it’s fun to watch her hover and hunt. She is definitely going to be a hobby of mine.
Couldnt agree more Joe… they are an absolute pleasure to watch…! Earlier this year I used to watch a Buzzard… for a few weeks it would appear and hunt in the same area… as you said, its difficult to get close… How I’d love the Canon 600mm IS lens in those situations… will have to sell the child to fund it… might ask the wife whats she thinks…!
Richie
Richie
If you’re clever you can sell the child and still have him/her to sell again.
I’m talking chimney sweeping in case you were getting any foul-minded ideas!
Forget 600. I was shooting 400 + 1.4 TCon in Tacumshin Lake on Saturday and was still cropping to get some shots of the approx 150 (yes … 1-5-0!!!) swans that were there. The ducks were a total no go. I could’ve done with 800mm. Same with the Kestrel I watch. She’s so small that 400mm is tough. This one is a massive crop: http://www.highwaycsl.com/Photography/Wildlife/MarshHarrier1.jpg As you can see from the URL, I was sure she was a Marsh Harrier.
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