I'll check my photos, but the "spines" may be the legs of a dragonfly the merlin has caught.  In years past I have photographed juvie merlins catching dragonflys at the marsh..


Bill Anderson; Edmonds, WA. USA

On Thursday, October 4, 2018, 4:07:28 PM PDT, Byers <byers345 at comcast.net> wrote:


Hi Tweeters,

                I was enjoying a quiet, contemplative experience in Edmonds marsh this afternoon when this falcon cruised in.  At first, I thought it might be a Peregrine, but then I noticed that it was smaller than the crow that's chasing it in picture one.  The moustache isn't very distinct.  So I'm saying Merlin now.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29258421 at N07/albums/72157698838852192

 

                I do have a question.  Do you notice that there appear to be spines sticking out of the bird's feet.  What does anyone think they are?  Could they be porcupine quills?

 

Happy birding, Charlotte Byers
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