Despite cold and snow yesterday I headed out after work for a quick tour. The raptors were quite active, unbothered by the wintry conditions. Among the sights was this gorgeous bird.
Merlins are small raptors, a bit bigger than a Kestrel, but are just as ferocious as the other members of the falcon family. They prefer to dine on other, smaller birds, attacking with extraordinary speed and ferocity. Fast movers and not normally ones to pose for pictures, this particular one decided to let me get a few captures before flying off.
