Is this a merlin (Falco columbarius)? Flying back and forth overhead, near the mist, rainbow, and kites near Trail 10. 9:35:07 am.

Dudley says: "I'm not enough of a raptor person to give you an i.d. on the falcon question, but I would lean toward Peregrine rather than Merlin. Merlins are really small - only a hair bigger than a kestrel - and the western ones are generally quite dark, though I'm sure that varies. This one also has a pronounced dark suborbital patch, which both species have, but the Merlin's is quite a bit smaller than the Peregrine's.Could well be a young one of either; hard to know for sure, for me. But nicely photographed!"