With this little hawk, you get what you see. The Merlin is a feisty, speedy little hawk that can catch birds and insects in midair, using level sprints or quick turns. I photographed this one back in October, as he was hanging on in the wind to a small shrub. At first I thought it may have been a Prairie Falcon, but the spacing of the banded tail and heavy streaking on the breast told me that it was most likely a Merlin.
Merlin
Merlin
Merlin
Click on any image to see an enlargement.
Texas Tweeties by Bob Zeller 
great shots Bob! happy holidays and an inspirational, healthy 2013! 🙂
Thank you very much, Sheila. Nice to hear from you. 🙂
Nice capture Bob.
Thank you very much, Alison.
Very nice images of this Merlin Bob! Happy Holidays to you.
Thanks, Mia. The same back at ya. 🙂
Merry Christmas Bob!
Thanks, Derrick, and Happy Holidays to you, too. 🙂
Happy Holidays, Bob! Gorgeous pictures, and I am jealous too, I can count the times I’ve seen a Merlin well on one finger.
Thank you so very much,Lisa. Happy Holidays back at ya. 🙂
I like these images of the Merlin a lot, Bob. I rarely see the species and have almost no keepers of them. Jealous again…
I am sorry I make you green with envy, Ron, but you have many birds that I don’t see here, too. Thanks for the compliments. 🙂
Beautiful! Happy Holidays, Bob!
Thanks a bunch, Karen, and you have some great holidays, too. 🙂
“Magical” photography! Stunning work,Maestro!
Thank you very much, Rob. Happy Holidays to you and yours. 🙂
Christmas Blessings , Bob & Ann!
Thank you very much, Toby. Holiday Happiness back at ya. 🙂
These are absolutely fantastic Bob! And so clear! Merry Christmas to you and your wife!! 🙂
Thank you for that glowing compliment, Polly. Happy Holidays to you and yours, too. 🙂