Opportunities missed
Discussion
Ever felt you just didn't make the most of a photographic opportunity?
As an (amateur) wildlife photographer sometimes something presents itself that you may never see again.
Stoats are very quick, small mammals that you are lucky to get a fleeting glimpse of. To be able to watch one hunting a few meters from me could something i never see again!
I was in Petworth Park to photograph the deer rutting. I took this shot of a Fallow stag, and hearing a noise to my right a took the shot below 14 seconds later (according to the exif)
IMG_8975 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_8976 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
The pair literally ran right up to me before turning off the path into the long grass
IMG_8982 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
The stoat caught the rabbit and killed it:
IMG_8994 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9001 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9004 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9010 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9012 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9014 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9016 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9020 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
You always see amazing photo's of hunts, birds in flight etc. and think "yeah i could maybe take that, but i will never come across something like that happening." "He probably camped out their for days to get that shot"
Well having been presented with an opportunity like this i feel i have totally missed the chance to take a great image. Most of them aren't quite sharp, bits of grass in the way, can't see much of Mr. stoat etc (although i quite like 9012) I suppose that's just the way of wildlife photography, but i really feel i have missed a great opportunity.
I did learn something today though, i didn't realize stoats could climb tree's! He must have been 8ft up, i reckon he thinks he's a Pine Martin!
IMG_9038 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
As an (amateur) wildlife photographer sometimes something presents itself that you may never see again.
Stoats are very quick, small mammals that you are lucky to get a fleeting glimpse of. To be able to watch one hunting a few meters from me could something i never see again!
I was in Petworth Park to photograph the deer rutting. I took this shot of a Fallow stag, and hearing a noise to my right a took the shot below 14 seconds later (according to the exif)
IMG_8975 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_8976 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
The pair literally ran right up to me before turning off the path into the long grass
IMG_8982 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
The stoat caught the rabbit and killed it:
IMG_8994 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9001 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9004 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9010 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9012 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9014 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9016 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
IMG_9020 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
You always see amazing photo's of hunts, birds in flight etc. and think "yeah i could maybe take that, but i will never come across something like that happening." "He probably camped out their for days to get that shot"
Well having been presented with an opportunity like this i feel i have totally missed the chance to take a great image. Most of them aren't quite sharp, bits of grass in the way, can't see much of Mr. stoat etc (although i quite like 9012) I suppose that's just the way of wildlife photography, but i really feel i have missed a great opportunity.
I did learn something today though, i didn't realize stoats could climb tree's! He must have been 8ft up, i reckon he thinks he's a Pine Martin!
IMG_9038 by jimmyb156, on Flickr
Edited by jimmy156 on Saturday 16th November 14:48
That's a coincidence, i don't suppose it gets witnessed too often! Could have been quite traumatic for the kids, even i instinctively wanted to help the rabbit!
The set is okay i guess, I guess you just hope to take "that" shot when an opportunity like this presents itself. Some are a little out of focus, the stoats face is in shadow etc.
The set is okay i guess, I guess you just hope to take "that" shot when an opportunity like this presents itself. Some are a little out of focus, the stoats face is in shadow etc.
jimmy156 said:
That's a coincidence, i don't suppose it gets witnessed too often! Could have been quite traumatic for the kids, even i instinctively wanted to help the rabbit!
When the stoat was trying to catch the rabbit they were cheering it on... then when it got the rabbit round the throat they wanted it to let go...How can a thing with 1" legs catch a rabbit anyway?
Simpo Two said:
When the stoat was trying to catch the rabbit they were cheering it on... then when it got the rabbit round the throat they wanted it to let go...
How can a thing with 1" legs catch a rabbit anyway?
In moving to try and get a better angle (i was only maybe 6 or 7 meters away) i disturbed the stoat and the rabbit limped off, but i know the stoat returned. I kind of felt that the stoat getting his meal was more important then me getting more shots so once the rabbit was in the very long grass i left them to it.How can a thing with 1" legs catch a rabbit anyway?
I know, they are incredibly quick though but they must weigh only a fraction of what a rabbit does. Watching him pop his head out of the long grass to take a look around before dashing a few meters away and popping his head up again was quite comical. I can remember the clearing/tree i saw them out so i will return soon in the hope to see them again. They are such enigmatic little things!
Edited by jimmy156 on Sunday 17th November 12:28
I think I started a thread once of missed photographs. I've had several that haunt me.
A kestrel mauling another bird in my girlfriend's garden.
A rainbow landing perfectly on a white house in the countryside during bright sunshine and spring showers.
A very foggy forest, snow everywhere, being suddenly bathed in golden light from sunrise (shafts of light everywhere, it was like f
king Narnia).
Two fox cubs playing in the snow and my camera was in the boot.
All very upsetting!
You got some great shots though, definitely not a missed opportunity with that set.
A kestrel mauling another bird in my girlfriend's garden.
A rainbow landing perfectly on a white house in the countryside during bright sunshine and spring showers.
A very foggy forest, snow everywhere, being suddenly bathed in golden light from sunrise (shafts of light everywhere, it was like f
king Narnia).Two fox cubs playing in the snow and my camera was in the boot.
All very upsetting!
You got some great shots though, definitely not a missed opportunity with that set.
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