We were deep into an extended cross-Canada road trip, winding our way through the remote backroads near the Alberta–Saskatchewan border, heading toward Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Julie (my wife) and I had been on the lookout for raptors all morning, slowly cruising along, scanning fenceposts and treetops for any sign of movement.

Suddenly, Julie pointed out the window on my side of the RV and shouted, “Raptor!”

Adrenaline kicked in. My heart pounded as I hit the brakes and threw the RV into reverse, hoping—really hoping—that the bird hadn’t flown off. There it was: perched perfectly on a weathered fencepost, a Merlin, calmly surveying its surroundings. It had clearly just finished a meal—there were still furry leftovers clinging to its talons.

I maneuvered carefully to get the RV into the best position for a full-frame shot. And just as I started snapping, the rumble of an approaching tractor trailer echoed down the road. A massive truck hauling cows thundered past us, shaking the RV and dusting the scene with gravel.

But the Merlin didn’t budge.

We spent nearly ten magical minutes with that bird, capturing an incredible sequence of close-up images. The soft, diffused overcast light, the setting, the subject—it all came together in one of those rare moments that makes birding (and photography) so rewarding.

This one sighting made the whole day unforgettable. And the photos? Let’s just say they’re smile-worthy.