This is one raptor I have not seen very much of this winter – at least not in spots where I can get a decent capture of it. This particular one was hanging out along the South Platte River north of Denver last week. I had hoped to get a bit closer to get a better view but of course it had other thoughts.
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.
![Little Merlin tries to hide Little Merlin tries to hide](https://live.staticflickr.com/2376/32896903165_4e2f6d499b_o.jpg)