During my recent Deluxe Atlantic Puffin Workshops on Île aux Perroquets, we got a bonus challenge that was as rewarding as it was difficult: a visit from a Merlin. These small falcons are incredible hunters, capable of stunning aerial maneuvers while preying on small birds and insects. Capturing one in action required a completely different approach than photographing the more predictable Puffins.

To get the shot, I relied on my go-to setup for wildlife: the new Sony a9 Mark III paired with the Sony 400-800mm zoom lens. The Merlin was a blur of motion, making a single-shot approach nearly impossible. This is where the camera's incredible technology shone.

I used two key features to get this shot:

Fast Burst Rate: At 120fps, the a9 Mark III allowed me to capture the entire arc of the Merlin's flight, from a series of near-misses to a clean, sharp pass. I knew that even a split second could mean the difference between a great shot and a missed opportunity.
Autofocus Tracking: With the Merlin's erratic flight, a reliable autofocus system was non-negotiable. The camera's tracking held on to the falcon, ensuring each frame in the burst was in sharp focus.

This photo is a single frame from that high-speed sequence. It's proof that sometimes, the best way to capture a fleeting moment isn't by trying to anticipate it, but by trusting your gear to freeze time for you. While our primary focus was the Puffins, this surprise encounter was a great lesson in being ready for anything.