I don’t often have the opportunity to photograph Merlins so I was plenty excited to find one yesterday on the South Valley Road in the Centennial Valley that stuck around for a bit! Not only did the Merlin stick around it also was in good light with a nice background and on a weathered fence post.

Centennial Valley Merlin, Centennial Valley, Beaverhead County, MontanaCentennial Valley Merlin – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I’d really prefer that my subjects be on natural perches but will willingly accept old or weathered man made perches. This Centennial Valley Merlin moved to several different perches while I photographed it and I suspect that in the future I will post some of those images too.

Merlin and its prey in the Centennial Valley of Beaverhead County, Montana Merlin and its prey – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Later in the morning on the way back to Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge I had another opportunity with a Merlin only this time it had prey! I suspect that it was the same Merlin I found and pointed out earlier in the day because it was in the same general location.

Regardless of whether it was the same bird or not the Merlin was sticky again because it had prey and I took a boatload of images of it as it consumed the small bird it had grasped in its talons.

I am going to hate to see this trip end today but all good things must end. It has been very productive and I feel good for helping to rescue the Barn Owl.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Merlin photos plus facts and information about this species.