A Home Run!

[Loupey]

Some days I can drive and hike for hours and see nothing but common species or just one opportunity at a target species.

Today, I got 3 of my top target subjects in one trip - in exactly one hour

Driving to my favorite new field, I spotted a Northern Harrier going down in a field about 100 yards away. I immediately stopped my truck and jump out so I could rest my left elbow on the hood and get a clear shot if it decided to take off. But as I soon as stepped out, I looked up (as I normally do now) and immediately spotted a Red Tailed Hawk soaring overhead.

First the hawk against different parts of the sky as it circled overhead briefly:

[Loupey]

...after about 30 seconds, the hawk was too far away so I turned my attention back to the harrier.

It didn't take long for it to take off. Then another one came into the field from a stand of trees off in the distance (last 3 images).

[Loupey]

...then nothing for about 50 minutes. So I drove 2 miles to the northern edge of this field. I immediately spotted an American Kestrel! He was flying away/around from me and not hunting so boy was he fast. He eventually landed back on his perch for the last shot.

Most of these images have been cropped slightly (sorry, but accurate composition is tough in-camera ).

All manual focus & manual exposure. 300mm + 2x TC, ISO 400, f/11, 1/500s or 1/750s.

[AmberC]

Wow thats awesome Great shots!!

[mjs1973]

Very nice Loupey!! I love the last Kestrel shot. I have yet to get one sitting on something natural. I see tons of them sitting on power lines, but never a tree branch...

[Copy_Kot]

I usually like the flight shots, but that last kestrel shot is my favorite out all of these!

[Jaedon]

A home run for sure Loupey. Nice shots!

[WTP07]

H,

That kestrel shot is spectacular!

I'm not sure what the problem is with that harrier though...can't he read??!!?? Keep Right!

R.

[julsoph]

Those are awesome, Loupey! I'm incredibly jealous of your kestrel shots....that last on is just terrific.

Emily

[Loupey]

Thanks, everyone, for patiently going through my rather long description!

This was the 4th time I've ever seen a kestrel up close and the 2nd time actually shooting it. So I was very happy with these.

When he finally landed for the last shot, it was actually on the other side of the tree. I figured I didn't have anything to loose and a lot to gain if I tried to make my way to that side. The snow was wet, heavy, and crunchy (not very stealthy ) and about shin deep. Thinking it was going to take off at any minute, I did my best to not look directly at it. When I finally got in position, in one motion I turned, raised the camera, focused, and squeezed off a 3-frame burst before it took off for good. The image posted earlier was the 1st of the three frames. The second one was blurry and the third one was this (full frame):

[OBie]

Hahaha! Love the image of Loupey 'sneaking up' on the Kestral - just passing through here, I don't see anything special . Then turn and ZAP! Snap those shots!! Heehee.

Knew it was going to be a great thread by the name and author!

[Bevb]

Great shots Loupey, the last image is great, super colours, and the image above is wonderful too, shame its not a little closer but i know you hate cropping your pictures.
Thanks for thinking my picture worthy of being featured photo too.

[Knight]

Good Captures Loupey , especially the kestrel shot , its Superb

[paulnj]

Your killing me loupey!

[Loupey]

Thanks for looking, Paul, Knight, Bev, and OBie!

OBie, yeah pretty pathetic stalkers we are (especially me ). Although the I'm-walking-and-I-don't-have-a-care-in-the-world technique works better than actually trying to sneak up on subjects, I sometimes wonder if it does because the animals just can't believe how incredibly unstealthy we are

I can hear them now - "hey Frank, look at this guy"

Funny thing is, I use the same technique when approaching some insects.