3 Raptors in 15 Minutes

[Loupey]

While I'm used to standing for hours to get a shot, I'd rather not if necessary - especially like it was last night when it was only about 15°F and windy.

It started fast, really fast. The moment I reached my spot, I spotted a male American kestrel flying towards me from my 4-o'clock. I only had time to jam the monopod down (up to that point the camera/pod was still on my right shoulder it happened that fast), raise the lens, and focus in time to squeeze off 2 frames.

A few minutes later, I saw the wings of a red-tailed hawk approaching from the other side of an oak tree. He doesn't see me until he is just about ready to land - he then immediately aborts the landing.

Exactly 15 minutes after the kestrel shot, a male Northern harrier is seen cruising over the fields. He made two passes and was gone for the night.

I should have left right then and there. But I stayed longer and froze my *butt* off anyway