I was not alone.
Now you see him ...
... now you don't.
So much of nature photography is being there so that when something cool happens, your odds of "being in the right place at the right time" increase dramatically.
So it's not just luck, in fact, there is no such thing as luck.
I don't believe in luck or accidents.
Being there, yes. Luck, no.
Mistakes, yes. Accidents, no.
So it was no accident that I was the lucky guy who got these pics by being the first person to walk the pond during that lunch break.
On my way back, I said hello to a small group of my classmates who were walking out towards the ponds.
They only went as far as the woodstork and pelican below, so I think they probably never saw the softshell turtle or the big alligator that I spooked off the bank of another pond beyond this one.
Lucky me.
They only went as far as the woodstork and pelican below, so I think they probably never saw the softshell turtle or the big alligator that I spooked off the bank of another pond beyond this one.
Lucky me.
12 comments:
nature photography is like a lot of other pursuits; the harder you work, the luckier you get.
On the same subject did you see that story this week on the conservation volunteer who carried his digicam everywhere and ended up getting awesome footage of a florida panther wandering down a boardwalk?
We should call you the gator whisperer LOL They always pose so pretty for you. Looks like a great walk!
I agree, you have to have patience and be at the right time at the right place, and snap that picture, or pay close attention to your surroundings. I have a bad habit of not paying attention and losing the picture because of not paying attention to my surroundings.
Nice photo of the softshell. They seem to be more people shy than most. Possibly because they are hunted.
www.riverwildlife.blogspot.com
That's an amazing turtle photo! I've never seen that particular species before and, if the water hadn't been so clear, would never have been able to imagine the huge animal below the surface! Thanks for the effort and forethought that goes into always having your camera on-hand! :)
Tai,
I like that saying.
And no, I haven't seen that video, but I can just imagine.
SCMomma,
This one surprised ME by kersplashing off the bank ahead of me. I had not see it in the reeds.
Lisa,
Patience is really the key I think. Oh, and you have to pay attention to your surroundings in gator country! LOL
Carol,
And they are the Fiesty Kings of turtledom.
Kimberlee,
I like the way both the turtle and the gator are eyeball and nose adapted to being almost underwater, yet still looking and breathing.
Whoa, that softshell turtle is so cool. I had no idea such creatures existed and looked like that. Excellent find. Yes, to being in the right place at the right time.
That's a turtle? It looks like some sort of alien creature from the deep. You've got a good eye.
Excellent turtle shot.
Robin,
Neat! I guess these aren't out your way. They are very, very aggressive in their defensive mode.
That long neck moves very quickly.
I like the grace of this one in his nondefensive cruising around mode.
Jean,
True, they don't look very turtlish in the face!
Doug,
Thanks, I confess, I really like it with the cattail framing.
It is a nice little saying FC - I wish I could take credit for it but I swiped it from some sportsman or other. Here is the panther video if you're interested:
http://tinyurl.com/ngu5o4
Tai,
Thanks!
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