Merlin and Least sandpiper

Another one from SoCal. This particular encounter was the highlight of my 4 days with Dave. I shot about 500 frames of this encounter. And I am ashamed to say I was "chimping" when he flew away with the prey and missed the shot:e3
A female merlin caught this least sandpiper and landed on an eye level perch to eat it.The best part was listening to Dave going crazy with excitement and driving like a madman to get us in position.
Canon 1 DX 600mm and 2X
F 8 SS 1/1000 ISO 800
PP Crop to ~70% FF, usual lightroom sliders, levels and NR to BG in CS5, USM to JPEG.
Nothing added or cloned.
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

Great timing, Gail. Beautiful image quality, fine detail, and like the tiny falling feather. Excellent complimentary BG.

Geoffrey




https://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

Funny story, but not as exciting for the sandpiper. What a terrific opportunity you guys were handed. You made the most of it, well, mostly most of it anyhow:t3. I love that you left the falling feather in.

What a whirlwind that was. Not only did we find a merlin, which we hadn't seen in months, we found one with a sandpiper in her feet!! OMG. I don't even have a picture like this and I have been chasing these birds around for years!! Killing me. Back to the frame, great details and exposure and the BG color really compliments the bird well.
Great shot Gail

This is awesome, just great bird photography...
I think the crop would look nice just a bit more pano with a bit off the bottom to above the signature.
It sort of brings out the cool floating feather to have it just above the bottom.

Gail, this sure beats a dragonfly, I just can't get over how well that truck blind works. I've been to this area only twice, both times on foot
and couldn't get close enough to anything to shoot, not even a coot. Very nice all around.

-Tim

Super image Gail. This has everything. Beautiful image quality and terrific action against a dream background. Shows the raw harshness of nature as well. I hope we have this kind of luck in Minnesota! On my 5k monitor is looks like it may need a touch more contrast but that may change from screen to screen.

Hi Gail, tack sharp, and an opportunity well captured. I like the placement in the frame, lovely clean BG, and the falling feather is a nice touch.

Dont worry about Dave missing out, he has plenty other keepers stashed away. :w3

Gail:

Great action, falling feather, lesson learned (about chimping during a critical moment), fun story.

Look forward to more!

Cheers

Randy

It is a wonderful capture Gail. Vehicles are the best blinds for sure. Tack sharp, with great feather detail and high IQ. Well done. Agree with Issac that you could add a bit of contrast and I might try lightening the shadows under the sandpiper and on the perch. I have captured Merlins with prey several times but for whatever reason each time it was backlit.

Hey Gail,
Surely a memorable shooting spree we had! I am certain I have never found a bird within seconds of capturing their prey like we did that morning, adrenalin pumping for sure. I admire your "exposure" hahaha and revealing your unfortunate timing. Chimping is a necessary evil in this case and all i can say is " I felt your pain!" Excellent capture, I like the HA, the action, the feathers and the wetness on the underbelly suggesting the impact at the waters edge perhaps... Love all the feet! I keep hearing Dave screaming!!!