One of the birds I photographed yesterday at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was an adult male Prairie Merlin that I spotted on a fence post close to the road.

Adult male Prairie Merlin, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahAdult male Prairie Merlin – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn’t able to photograph the falcon on the close fence post. When the male Merlin took off from the first fence post he landed on another fence post that was farther away from the road. I took photos of this striking bird even though I would have preferred to have him closer.

Note: I must have bumped my ISO up earlier in the morning because of low light and forgot to dial it back. I typically do not use ISO 1000 when I have good light. My Nikon D500 handles high ISO’s like a champ though and my higher ISO setting had no detrimental effect on these images.

Male Prairie Merlin on a wooden post, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahMale Prairie Merlin on a wooden post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I truly hoped that this male Merlin would come a bit closer to where I sat in a mobile blind but that was not to be.

I wasn’t sure that I would like having the red gate in my photos of this Merlin. After looking at the images on my large screen at home I decided I didn’t mind the red gate at all. This bird has adapted to having human made items in his environment. I can adapt too.

I don’t see Merlins as often as I would like to so finding this Merlin and having him in my viewfinder was a treat. Usually I find female or immature Merlins in the field. This male was a great find. My only wish is that I had been able to photograph him when he was closer to the road.

Life is good.

Mia

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