Merlin on Plum Island
After an unsuccessful walk around Sandy Point State Reservation in the hopes of finding a snowy owl to photograph during the golden hour before sunset, I headed back to where I had parked my car at Beach #7. Without even realizing it, I nearly walked straight by this merlin (Falco columbarius) that was perched at the edge of the observation platform as I headed for the parking lot. Had I not stopped to take a final look at the ocean to size up any interesting compositions, I probably would have walked right by her.
Stock Photo BMER11-5310