My Camera sits in my office and practically shouts that old American Express slogan at me every time I head out: “Don’t Leave Home Without It.”
It’s rare that I leave without a camera, but when it happens, I typically see something that makes me regret not grabbing it. There are plenty of times I don’t have a tripod, the right lens or the right camera, but in those situations, I still can try to get a good photograph. When I don’t have my tools with me, it’s simply a beautiful, if frustrating, memory.
Fans of my Facebook page might notice a lot of photos from Robinson Preserve. That’s because I have a dog who demands a daily ride and a walk in the park. Robinson is a favorite for the whole family: It’s close to home, it’s beautiful and there is always something to see.
There are plenty of times I plan to go out shooting photos and most of my gear goes with me on those days. I have traveled all across the state in search of photos that show Florida’s wildlife, natural resources and its breathtaking beauty. I usually have a plan on those trips, but more often than not, a detour gets thrown in along the way. I also have a few favorite local places like Myakka River State Park, the Celery Fields, the Venice Rookery and Terra Ceia Preserve. I sometimes go out looking for something specific and even then I always come back with surprising scenes and wildlife photos I wasn’t expecting.
Still, there’s nothing like being rewarded for grabbing your camera on the way out the door with no expectations for the hours ahead. That happens plenty at Robinson Preserve and it happens lots of times in unexpected places. I recently went with some friends to look at a piece of property, I grabbed the camera before we left and just as we were coming up the driveway of the property, a red-shouldered hawk flew right in front of us. I wasn’t sure I would get his photo, but fortunately he stuck around long enough for me to get a couple of nice photos. I take my camera when my wife and I go out sailing. There’s never a guarantee of a great photo, but when the light is just right, the sky can offer a great opportunity to capture something unique — a reminder to take time to enjoy life’s moments.
