Merlin in Polk County
2012-03-22

Common in Polk County in the Spring season

"Richardson's Merlin" (or Prairie Merlin) Falco columbarius richardsoni. This is the pale subspecies of the Merlin that breeds on the northern plains (Alberta to Wyoming). I was excited to find this bird since I hadn't seen one since the 1980s at Hawk Ridge. Note the lack of blue feathers and overall pale brown plumage. Glacial Ridge NWR (in far NW MN) on March 22, 2012

Sparky Stensaas, Canon 7D with Canon 400mm f5.6 lens, handheld.