Looking back over my blog posts, it occurred to me that I may have unintentionally committed a bit of a fraud on these pages. A story from the past sheds some light on the situation.
Did you ever look at a photo and have this vague sense that something was missing … but you couldn’t quite put your finger on what it might be?
I was always amused by the memory of US President Reagan’s staff regularly thanking TV media for running highly negative stories. After a few rounds, they were incredulous and wondered what was up. A presidential staffer explained that all the footage of Reagan smiling, waving and speaking at grand openings was simply priceless. The fact that the voice in the background was berating the president was mostly irrelevant since people focused on the wonderful images of Reagan and largely ignored the story.
In my musings about chasing wildlife I have often noted the challenges of finding creatures in the wild. However, if a blog visitor only looked at my photos, it might appear that animals are practically bursting out from everywhere in order to preen in front of my camera. That’s not quite how it usually plays out.
This is what wildlife photography sometimes looks like. A couple walked by in the distance and I heard one of them say, “Well, that would get old fast.”
Last weekend I went up to Prince Albert National Park. I was fortunate to enough to catch a few sightings of otters including one in an accessible location. I just missed getting a good photo of it walking on the ice before it disappeared in the water. I figured if it showed up once, there was a good chance it could happen again. Why I keep applying logic like that to these situations, I will never know.
I cleared the snow off a spot on the bench, set up my camera and waited. I can only imagine the wildlife show that was happening behind me but no otter joined the party in front of me.
Nevertheless, all was not lost. I had the benefit of a comfortable seat in a beautiful place. I was able to enjoy nature all by myself under a bright sun and there were absolutely no mosquitoes – consistent with the theme of no wildlife. Even better, I was able to watch and listen as the water ran around the ice on the Waskesiu River.
Yes I got skunked again. But this time there was no visual fraud in the making of the post!
This was the beautiful scene laid out before my eyes. My camera and I were parked just to the left.
Krahnpix note: It’s entirely possible I may have captured some other wildlife photos on that trip but that’s a story for another day. Bottom line? We had a fantastic trip up north.
Krahnpix 
I am quite certain that at some point, a bear strolled out of his den to make faces at you behind your back. Too bad you missed it, waiting for a no-show otter! hehe Glad you enjoyed your outing anyway – there is some amazing scenery up there!
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It is not only a beautiful place but it holds so many fond memories for our family. I’m already planning my next trip back. Now I wonder if I can get a rear view mirror for my camera so I can check on the action behind me. Thanks for fanning the flames of my delusions:)
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Beautiful landscape shot, and so true about the unpredictability of wildlife – but that (and the long waits for those precious bursts of action) are just part of the game. I guess wildlife photography is not for hyperactive extroverts! 😉
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Now that you mention it, I’m not a hyperactive extrovert! The thrill of those precious bursts of action are an addictive tonic that keep me coming back.
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From your photo, I can tell that you have invested a lot of money in the right equipment to be a good nature photographer, but your writing reveals some even greater necessities–incredible patience and the willingness to get out there (despite the conditions) to get the shot. No wonder you have such beautiful photos!
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Yes I have spent too much money pursuing the dream of getting wildlife shots. The dream is still alive. As for patience, it’s is a complicated virtue. I have none in some areas and not nearly enough most days for photography to get what I want. But I think it’s slowly improving. Oh yes and I’m definitely a fair weather photographer – the sun was shining in the photo above! Many years later it still keeps me going so I guess I’ll continue.
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First of all, the photo of you waiting on that snow filled bench with just enough space cleared off to sit is priceless. But combine it with that comment you overheard about it getting old and we have an instant classic!
I too have done my share of sitting and waiting for something, anything, to happen. Plus I am a huge mosquito magnet, so that part I don’t like hearing about.
You did have a pretty view.
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A classic eh? Well it all felt right with just enough snow removed to sit there and a beautiful view. That particular spot can have mosquitoes like fog so I was happy for an I obstructed view of the sun.
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You’re a true die-hard wildlife photographer…I love that!!!
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There is a pull that is unexplainable.
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…called “PASSION for what you love!!!”
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It was nice that you were able to watch and wait in such comfortable surroundings–a bench with a back is a luxury that is a rarity when photographing wildlife. I sometimes feel that fellow photographers see photos differently from the uninitiated–they can simultaneously appreciate the beauty of an image and the technical and environmental challenges that it took to get the image.
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It was a great spot to sit. Yes anyone who has attempted wildlife photography comes with a much more knowledgable perspective of what it entails.
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I know about waiting for the right shot. I waited for a sunset picture once and then had to walk three miles out of the way because they shut a gate to the park I was in. Luckily the other end was open, just a long way away.
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Hopefully the photo was a good one.
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I am so over the snow all I can do is shiver with the chills looking at you sitting on that snowy bench. Part of why I appreciate your photography so much is that I know how hard it is to get those shots!
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You sound like everyone else around here desperately wanting the snow to go. I was actually nice and warm sitting on the bench, the sun was shining and it was a nice day. It definitely helps to dress for the temperature. I’m glad you enjoy my shots. I appreciate your comments.
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a fantastic trip…and that’s really all that matters in the end.
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It was mission accomplished … and so close to being over the moon with the otter shot.
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That second shot looks like some pretty WILD life to me! Love the scenic and the lack of mosquitos is a must where I’m concerned….
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It’s pretty much a party in the second photo … a subtle one. That particular spot in summer can be a mosquito fog so there are definite advantages to other seasons.
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I am always amazed by your incredible wildlife photos. This post brought some reality to them. It’s not as easy as it looks.
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I’m glad you enjoy my wildlife and I assure they will return next week. I suspected I may have left the impression that it was pretty easy. I suppose that’s what makes the captures that much better.
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We photographers do make it look easy sometimes. We only post the “good images”. It can give the impression that we just walk outside and a beautiful image is created. It’s hard to portray the hours, days or weeks that went into getting a particular image. It’s not hard to go out in the field and get a good image. Although it may not be the image you set out to get in the first place. So we must try, try, again, and yes it’s always a fantastic trip!
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Sometimes I forget too. I wonder what’s wrong when I go out and don’t find anything and then I remember how uneven finding good images can be. Some days I just keep finding things consistently and other days I sit and watch. The fun thing is you never know what’s going to happen.
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hmm
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hmm
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