F/13.0, 1/640, ISO 400.
Merlin
Did you hear that Mr. Clean is in the hospital?
Yeah, he has ammonia.
Interesting Facts: Though it’s not much bigger than the more common American Kestrel, the Merlin is heavier and often appears considerably larger. As with most raptors, female Merlins are larger than males. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin )
F/6.3, 1/640, ISO 800.
Merlin
Why did the man fall down the well?
He couldn’t see that well.
Interesting Fact: Medieval European noblewomen—including Catherine the Great and Mary Queen of Scots—used Merlins for sport to hunt Skylarks. European and North American falconers continue to work with Merlins, hunting quarry that ranges from sparrow-sized to dove-sized. ( Merlin Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology )
F/6.3, 1/500, ISO 800.
Merlin
What do you get if you cross LSD with birth control?
A trip without the kids!
Interesting Fact: The name “Merlin” comes from esmerillon, the old French name for the species. Merlins used to be called “pigeon hawks” because in flight they look somewhat pigeon-like. Their species name, columbarius, is also a reference to pigeons. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin )
F/11.0, 1/500, ISO 250.
Merlin
Two birds in a tree looking down on a man washing his car.
“If he doesn’t hurry up and finish,” says one bird to the
other, “I’ll poop myself.”
Interesting Fact: Merlins don’t build their own nests. Instead, they take over the old nests of other raptors or crows. They also use magpie nests, sometimes laying eggs right on top of the nest’s dome rather than inside the cavity. ( https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Merlin/lifehistory )
F/8.0, 1/125, ISO 100.
Merlin
Day 47 / 365
“I see you, and after you take that photo I am out of here ”
Interesting Fact: Merlin pairs have been seen teaming up to hunt large flocks of waxwings: one Merlin flushes the flock by attacking from below; the other comes in moments later to take advantage of the confusion. ( http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/merlin/lifehistory )
Through Open Lens 