ID This Bird?????

[jfenton]

I was out looking for Mr. Short Eared Owl this morning and followed this guy through knee deep snow for 25 minutes until I was able to get a decent shot....I was pooped!

I think, but am not sure, that this might be a merlin? He was shot in Salisbury MA, directly adjacent to the ocean front. He was definitely hunting but I didn't see him capture anything.

This was a quick process job as I'm working today even though it's Saturday so that I can be ready for my trip to meet a bunch of you folks in Florida next week! (shhh...don't tell anyone I d this while working!)

Feeling any better Harris?

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[bobhoge]

Jim,

It sure looks like the Merlin in the Sibley Guide to Birds right down to the "weak mustache". Not a lot of other choices as far as I can see.

Looking forward to seeing you with Harris on Thursday,
Bob & Nan

 

[jfenton]

Thanks Bob

I haven't got a book here at the office and I'm not convinced I could find the sorry excuse for a guide that we have at home. I guess I got to get me one of those

Jim

See ya soon!

 

[bobhoge]

Jim,

We will have our copy with us on Thursday so you can check it out. It is the best reference we have found. Just a little too big for the backpack, but I understand there is a small version out now.

Bob

 

[jfenton]

Bob....

Will you be with Harris, Mike and myself Thursday?

 

[bobhoge]

Jim,

Yes, we are in Pompano Beach for the winter and will drive up to meet with you early on Thursday. It is about 1.5 hours to Bear Point if the traffic is not too bad.

We plan to go on up to Satellite Beach on Thursday night and meet up with the others on Friday night. We may check out the wildlife at Sebastion Inlet on the way up.

Bob & Nan

 

[jczinn]

Looks right for a Merlin. Great shot Jim!! Those guys are hard to find sitting still!

 

[greyflash]

Of course I will take Janet's word for the ID but in any event it is a fine shot of a raptor.

 

[jfenton]

IMAGE REPLACED

Since good ole pbase decided it din't want to show the first image anymore...I replaced it!

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[greyflash]

You've got to love pbase, I have about 10 images I have to replace because of the dreaded red X.

 

[Flew]

Very nice Jim. Isn't it nice to have a place where you can post your birdie shots and not hear 'too many @#!#%$#! bird shots!!'.... :lol:

Frank

 

[jfenton]

It is nice Frank....

It would be nicer however if I had a polace to shoot that wasn't buried in snow!

By the way....I hooked up to a guys 600 Nikon yesterday whom I met in the field...I just might be in lust!