This bird is only a few feet away from Mourning Doves both in front and behind. They are motionless so as not to give the tiny falcon any clue as to their wheareabouts. The Merlin had been several feet above earlier moving about to try and panic some Doves into flight where she has an advantage. It flew off and I thought that was that. But a few minutes later she came in low about 4-5 feet off the ground and landed on the branch in this photo. She didn't give up and advanced on the branch in the direction of at least two doves who could no longer stand it and panicked into flight with the merlin in hot pursuit.