A chance in a million?

[AlphaZeroOne]

While at work today, I took a quick break for some fresh air and stood quietly at the side of the building. I suddenly noticed a movement in the hedgerow and saw, just a few feet away, a Goldcrest. Within less then a minute a small troop of Longtailed Tits flew in, again just 3 metres or so away. at one point both the Goldcrest and a Longtailed Tit were on the same twig at the same time. The light was just right, the distance was perfect for a really special shot. But, no camera! Boy, was I frustrated. What a missed opportunity. What similar opportunities have people missed for the want of a camera at the right time?

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by AlphaZeroOne

While at work today, I took a quick break for some fresh air and stood quietly at the side of the building. I suddenly noticed a movement in the hedgerow and saw, just a few feet away, a Goldcrest. Within less then a minute a small troop of Longtailed Tits flew in, again just 3 metres or so away. at one point both the Goldcrest and a Longtailed Tit were on the same twig at the same time. The light was just right, the distance was perfect for a really special shot. But, no camera! Boy, was I frustrated. What a missed opportunity. What similar opportunities have people missed for the want of a camera at the right time?

These too share the same type of habitat and feeding patterns so can often be seen together, beautiful sight though. I have so many missed shot stories like this, the most recent one was the haw frost we had the other day. My 20D broke and I could not get a 30D in time as they had all been sold at xmas in fact the last one was when 50 deer ran in front of me, but to be honest I would never have set the camera up in time for that one lol.

[Paul mabbott]

You never have it when you need it ... or the battery's just run out ... or you've got the wrong lens on ....
My killer was when a lesser spotted woodpecker was pecking at the "trunk" of an old elder - within range - I actually managed to get the camera but, just as I was focussing, the elder disintegrated and fell, the woodie flew off ... what I would have done to have that on video .. all I got was a sad looking elder ....

[Elizabeth B]

A couple of years ago on a bitterly cold and windy day, we were driving away from the RSPB Dungeness visitor centre when we noticed that the car coming towards us had stopped, and the driver was watching something through the open window. We stopped too, and saw a beautiful barn owl flying towards us. It perched briefly on a fence post close to the car, so we had an excellent view - but the camera was stowed away out of reach, together with all our other gear.

[badgerwatcher]

I'm sure birds have a sixth sense that tells them when someone is looking at them.
So often, with no sound, I slowly reach for my camera next to my hand, and...
they fly away!

[vinnychameleon]

The worst was last year when I saw a montagu's harrier on the moor and lesft the camera IN THE CAR!!!!! I was gutted but glad to see the harrier.