Me: “Why do interesting things happen in our yard when I don’t have my camera?”
Mr.: “Just go get it, they’ll be there for a while. You should just carry your camera with you everywhere you go.”
Me: “But this time, I need a different lens. Oh, alright, I’ll go get it, I’ll be right back. Keep an eye on them. Don’t let Copper out he’ll scare them away.”
Mr.: “Don’t worry, they’ll be there when you get back and I won’t. He didn’t even see them, and it would take him a while to notice them, too.”
I rushed up the stairs to my office, grabbed the other lens, did a fast-as-a-flash lens switch, and dashed back down the stairs to the window to see if I made it before they left.
Me: “Oh, good, they’re still there.”
Nice…I had the settings wrong! A faceless photo.
Try again…nice…a blurry shot focused on the tree and fence.
Try again…better this time.
Me: “It’s like they’ve landed in a foreign land. There’s no water where they landed, they must be confused. But they’re cute in a strange kind of way.”
Click, click
Mr.: “Uh-huh.”
I swooshed the patio door open, headed out on the deck with Copper, and the geese didn’t move. I got a better view, but damn, it was cold outside.
Click, click, click, (a whole bunch of non-share-worthy pictures)
Me as I step back into the house: “That sun is not warm at all…burr.”
Mr.: “Uh-huh.”
Click, click, click
Me: “Oh, they must have heard something, they’re all looking to their left.”
Mr.: “Uh-huh, look again, they’re taking off.”
Me: “Shit…I wasn’t ready.”
Click, click, click…they’re flying away.
Mr.: “How did it go, you would’ve gotten some good shots there; they went right over you?”
Me: “Well, not really. In all the excitement, I couldn’t tell which way they were going to fly, so I looked down at my camera for a moment to check the settings.”
Me: “I looked back up as they flew right over the rooftop. They had a beautiful formation in the sky and I missed the picture.”
Mr.: With a playful goose and a hug, “Uh-huh, hon, when will you learn?”
As Tizzie would say, “Such is the life of a bird photographer (aka, watcher). Sometimes you get a picture and sometimes you just have to enjoy the view from the window.”
How about your story? I’d love to hear about the picture you tried to get and missed it!
Post inspiration: Linda Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday: Picture
So true, I tried that recently when 2 young deer were feeding nearby!
Oh, yes, deer are hard to catch for sure 🙂 Thanks for sharing your thoughts!!
Ha! Too funny! Your story sounds like something that would have happened in ours. The life of a photographer. 🙂 Great post!
Thank you! Yes, such is the life – the pursuit of happiness is in the clicking moments! I appreciate hearing from you!!
Yep! I totally understand! I have been trying to get pictures of Horned Larks. They are everywhere right now, along the side of the roads, but I often don’t see them until it is too late. I did get close yesterday morning, but I was shooting through my car window and had trouble focusing. My stupid side mirror got in the way! A split second and they were gone!
I have a hunch you will get a shot, all of your bird photography makes me so jealous! 🙂
Thanks, Shelley! The big lens helps alot. I am also pretty determined. I have been thinking I should cover myself with a white sheet and sit in the ditch where they frequently are and hope they come to me…crazy? Yes. But I am thinking about it 😊
LOL! I need a bigger lens! That’s awesome – do it, I’m sure you’d get a shot and have a fun story to write about as well!
Thanks for your encouragement!
Ditto! 😉
I’ve missed plenty of camera shots. But sometimes it’s better to look with our eyes. I love Canadian geese and that you got some of them in flight. Fun read! 🙂
Thank you! Yes, I agree. When I know I can’t do justice to the view, I put the camera aside to watch and enjoy the moment!
Nice, Shelley, especially the faceless photo! 😉 It’s been so good to hear and see the geese and birds again. It might still be cold outside, but they bring the promise of warmer weather to come. We just have to keep the faith and our cameras (or cell phone) close by.
Thank you, Mary. I’m keeping the faith and my camera ready for the warmer weather!!
Awesome. Also cat looks miffed. 😉
LOL – yes, she gets annoyed with me and my camera!
You know me. I keep my camera in “A”..
The other day I missed a shot of two bald eagles on a telephone pole. How? I didn’t have my camera nor my iPhone. Stupid!
It happens to all of us. We’re like the fishermen always talking about the “one” that got away. Lol.
Thankfully there’s always a tomorrow. Love your shots!
Yes, I know you love your “A” mode. I go there when I know I won’t have time to adjust the camera. LOL – love your fishermen analogy! Thanks for stopping by!!
Stopping by your blog is like dropping in to see a neighbor who also happens to be a good friend. Amazing how you do that!!
Aw, thank you, right back at ya!!
You captured some beautiful shots of the geese in flight. I know what you are talking about and I think it need practice. I have seen some great potential photos out of my kitchen window and then it is so hard to capture it as I am seeing.
Thank you, Deborah. Window photography has challenges, but it does give numerous opportunities to practice! I love your cover photo on your blog – that IS gorgeous – love the lightning bolt, the pink flowers, and all the different colors. Stunning!
Thank you, Shelley. My cover photo is from a photographer at the US Dept of Land Management. I thought it fit well with my theme.
It definitely goes well with your theme!
Thank you.