Last week Pascal and I went for our walk downtown. I almost always bring my camera with me when we walk, but once in awhile the thought of not having to carry my camera, (which is tiny & actually quite easy to carry,) appeals to me and I leave the camera at home. This happened to be one of those “once in awhile times.” My camera was home, safely hanging from a door knob, and my hands were free to swing as I walked. It felt great!
We were nearing the end of our walk as we approached the overpass where Walnut Creek, as always, was gurgling and rushing on it’s way through town. I noticed someone across the street waving to me and recognized him as Pascal’s friend, the window washer of the shops downtown. “Come over here!” he called, “You have to see this!!” For the first time that morning, my hands didn’t feel so great to be freely swinging- I shoved them into my pockets and crossed the street to see what the window washer had found.
Not only had he found a treasure to see, he had found a treasure to photograph!! Yes, photograph!! This would have been the shot of a lifetime I thought, looking out at the creek and picturing my camera hanging from the door knob at home! Imagine the scene you see pictured above only instead of the goose and goslings swimming above the waterfall, as they are in this scene, they are walking down the steep bank on the left of the overpass, to the water, close to where I was standing. Swimming in the water directly below me on the right was a mother duck and six tiny ducklings. Then, to “crown” the picture, standing above in the center, at the edge of the fall, looking down over his brood that was quickly scrambling downhill to the water, was the gander, his silhouette magnificent against the blue-green backdrop of water stretched out behind him~
I vowed that I would return the next morning with my camera and get that picture, foolishly expecting to find everyone posed in their exact same spots- The next morning when I returned, the only one there was the creek- minus all geese and ducks. I have returned four times with my camera. The shots pictured here and above are the closest I’ve come to getting THE picture——– and they’re not even close! Sigh~
These photos are so beautiful, I can’t imagine what THE photo would have looked like.
Your little Pascal is so cute!
It sucks when you forget the camera at home, there are many times I’ve done that myself. Love those pics!!
Thank-you Lilly and Audrey for reading!
still VERY pretty photos
Thank-you southern belle! I’m still trying ! I’ve been back two more times since I wrote this!
I’ve totally been there, even blogged about it too! As a photographer it’s so easy to stay behind the camera. Every once in a while I just want to be a part of what I’m doing instead of documenting it. It never fails that the days I leave the camera at home are the ones I see something I would have died to catch. The photographs you did get are wonderful in and of themselves.
Thank-you Tami. I agree, it’s the times that the camera is home that the best shots present themselves. I don’t know what the answer is, take the camera, always? Like you said, sometimes it is really nice to be a part of the scene rather than documenting it. I have a feeling that even if I always took my camera, somehow those shots would still find a way to elude me! Thanks for your comment!
Yes I have been there myself , but you can hardly always take your camera , can you ?
Alway enjoy reading your Blog !
It’s so true – but you know, everything happens for a reason! Your shots are fantastic and Pascal is adorable! Keep your camera close & Pascal even closer! Fantastic job!
Hi, You have a wonderful blog and so I have an award for you on my blog! :)
Maybe you should get one of those tiny backpacks and or a fanny pack. I love having my hands free, too, but luck favors those who are prepared for the rare shot.
I’ve definitely learned my lesson. My camera is tiny~ and really no trouble at all for me to carry. I think I haven’t left if home once since missing that shot! Thanks for reading, jeanne!