**Warning** Graphic Pics. Merlin with a Cowbird

Believe me when I tell you I left out the worst pics. I'll post them in my second post here.

I was watching my feeder birds and just happened to look towards the neighbors yard when I caught sight of this Merlin who had caught a cowbird. The day is dark and drizzly so I was surprised they turned out well.

This message was edited Sep 28, 2008 11:12 PM

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4 He's such a handsome boy even though the whole scene is not very pretty, Thats all.

Excellent pics, pelle. Just Mother Nature at work.... GM

The warblers will all be delighted, of course!

Resin

Super pics, Pelle.

Great shots! Shame about the cowbird but good for the hawk!

Thanks everyone! We've been having huge flocks of Cowbirds flying around landing on each persons lawn. Alot of people seed this time of year so I guess thats what their after.
I just love the Coopers big eyes!

What great photos of nature in action. It's sad to see, but the hawks have to survive too.

Excellent photos of the Coopers Hawk, pelle.

I don't find anything to shrink away from - birds do what is natural to them, same as cats - humans do some pretty ghastly things too!
Now this bird I saw in S.Carolina - outside my sons house - he calls it a flying lemon -but what is it?

This message was edited Sep 27, 2008 11:50 AM

Hi seemama, Its an American Goldfinch (male).

Thanks -he is very pretty and sings his little head off.

I was just trying to be sensitive to all people as I understand some do not like looking at this type of thing. I don't have any problems with it myself and as I said earlier there were other pics of this scenario that were much more gruesome that I did not post.

Thanks for all the kind comments. ^_^

Nice pic seemama! Yes their call is so very sweet. They are one of my favorites!

That fellow is sooo handsome...I would just love to get shots like that! Great job pelle.

I know when I had some TV pics I posted I cropped out the deer they were eating. Trying to be considerate of others. But I found it really cool!!

just the circle of life... nice shots though

Great shots Pelle. Had one a few year ago , that caught his lunch in my yard and feast on it, in my birch tree. I'm seeing more hawks in the area now. They are watching for opportunities. and me too. Not that I want them preying on the birds, but I can't stop nature taking it's course.
Resin :)

Great pics pelle. It is a raptor being one...just nature, and you are lucky to see it.

They are gorgeous pictures Pelle.

Thanks everyone!

I have to make a big correction here this is not a Coopers Hawk but a Merlin.

Thats a new bird for me! I'll have the title changed as soon as possible. Apparently I'm in or close to their winter range.

Well that makes it even more cool!! Congrats!!

Thanks nanny!

A Merlin makes it Magical!!!!

LOL Mrs Ed!

Great shots! Thanks for sharing. S/he is so beautiful!!

Very neat!! Merlin's are kind of rare (I think??) so you are lucky to have seen one so close.

I went on a birding trip last winter and got to see one through our guides scope. He was sitting on a tree top snacking on a mourning dove (it was my boyfriends favorite part of the trip, LOL). A little sad for me, but a birds gotta eat!!

I would probably cry if I saw a cardinal get caught though....

Thanks rn, if he had gotten a Cardinal or something else so beloved I would not have posted the pics.

I honestly don't know much about them yet so I'll have to start reading up.

I just saw this thread. Those shots are just FANTASTIC!!! I think it's extra cool to see it with its catch. I don't feel bad about a cowbird. I'm the same way as rn. If they eat a dove or a house sparrow -- GREAT! If they eat a Cardinal or a woodpecker though I'm just sick about it!

Thanks Elphaba!

rntx, So far this is the only thing I can find concernning Conservation Status. This is
from Cornell.

Expanding breeding range and may be increasing in numbers.

Saw a Merlin over here too today, not close enough for pics though.

Resin

I was outside this afternoon with my camera when all of a sudden a Hawk came down to the lines after a Dove. It all happened so fast there was no time for a pic, but it was fun to watch. By the way, the Dove got away!

I heard tapping again today and a small woodpecker came on one of my trees - I looked it up - a hairy woodpecker - all my life I hadn't seen any woodpeckers anywhere now I have seen 2, and I am getting on a bit - but not too much!