The Unexpected Visitor

There are two rules that I know exist with photos. The first is that if you're without your camera you will see something spectacular. The second is if you have the wrong lens on the camera you will see something spectacular and forever be mad that the other lens wasn't in your pocket. However, you have to weigh the chance that you will lose your opportunity while changing the lens.

It was dusk and I was just getting ready to pack up for the day. I had been lurking under the tree with a zoom lens hoping to get a photo of the local hawk. We have many hawks but there's one who likes to come down for a close look at people. I had no luck seeing him but just as I got up to leave I heard a rustling in the trees. Momma raccoon had brought the crew out for the night. I couldn't get a shot because of the branches so I enjoyed watching the babies climb down the tree and got up to leave. Before I could put things away Momma decided to come check me out. I was surprised how confident she was that she wasn't in danger and that made me a bit uneasy. Soon I discovered that she was more interested in the potential for some left overs from the birdfeeder than in me so I sat back down and watched her. She had a great time digging in the grass for seed or suet while watching me. 

I would have loved to have a better lens for the occasion but that wasn't possible and after I have looked at the shots over the months it occurred to me that the raccoon is no less beautiful just because I can't get the amount of clarity that I want in the photo. I doubt I'll ever have this chance again at such an encounter so I'm perfectly happy with my photos plus - as I've learned - too much clarity can be just as bad as not enough. So Momma raccoon - I think this was just right.