UntamedImages Loc: Utah

OK, here's the scoop.

I get the pleaseure of travelling for work quite frequently. I usually take my camera with me so I can go find new things to shoot in my evenings.

It is kind of a pain as I always feel like I should haul both a walk around lens and a zoom. Takes a fullsize backpack style bag that will fit my laptop in order to do so.

Yes I have looked into mirrorless and I definitely need to get me one for a bridge camera, especially for this very reason!

Anyway, I go to Houston, TX quite frequently and I thought I had seen most of the things in the immediate area that I could enjoy with my camera within realistic reach of our facility in an evening (in the Monroe area just South of Houston if anyone has some ideas they want to share with me).

Well on this trip I decide to leave my camera home.

A coworker sees me in the plant and asks me about some pics I had posted on FB. He tells me he had no idea I liked photography and asks me about a State Park called Brazzos.

I had never heard of it. He graciously takes me out there and we have an amazing evening with a ton of sightings of some amazing birds and Gators. The entire time I am kicking myself for not bringing my camera!

We are walking back to the car and I see a Gator sneaking slowly towards the bank. I tell my friend, "Watch, that Gator is going to try and get that bird and I am here to witness it without my camera. I will be so mad if it happens."

Just then what happens? You guessed it. An amazing lunge and the Gator has the bird!

Unbelievable!!! I almost wish I hadn't even seen it, but just almost.

Oh well, live and learn I guess.

I think I will be doing some immediate shopping for a small mirrorless with good quality and a good range of lens just so this doesn't happen again.

Anyone else share in this frustration? Learn the hard way? What do you do to solve this problem?

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Just get a bridge camera like the Canon SX50, Nikon P520, Pano FZ200, etc!! Then you have it all in one little package to carry very easily on trips.

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

I know, I know. I actually have the Pano FZ200 already and it does pretty good, but I always find myself wishing I had my best equipment with me, especially for moments like described above.

It's just me I guess!

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

LOL!! Know what you mean..... All or nothing..... But the bridge is better than nothing!!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Nope
I whip out my cell phone!! :lol:
SS

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Perspective.
We will always see some wonderful things that happen when we do not have a camera.
Sometimes it is Ok to just sit down and watch it, and be thankful for it, without having to capture it for posterity.
Stop and smell the roses.
Sometimes you can lose the moment by being busy taking photos of it, yes we have a record, but did we really experience it to the full. Balance. Perspective.

UntamedImages Loc: Utah

Really? Your cell phone? I can't get a good image in low light with the action with my i-phone if I tried, and I have tried. I have an I-Phone 5

What kind of phone do you have that can do this? Seriously curious here.

cntry Loc: Colorado

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I can't get no,.....satisfaction......! :lol:
Hey, even if I have my DSLR with me, when I see Bigfoot, I'm gonna use my iPhone, out of pure tradition and respect!! :lol:
SS

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I have an iPhone 4 with a 5mp camera and optional flash. No, it's not the most sophisticated camera in the world, but at least I had it a couple of weeks ago when a couple of jerks in a muscle car came around the corner burning rubber, passed a school bus with its red lights on and narrowly missed a pair of children who had just gotten off the bus. The police were thrilled to have a readable picture of their license plate (plus still smoking tires). My 3200 and G3 were within a few yards, but the iPhone was on my hip.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

My solution, I own a compact zoom (Panasonic ZS6) that I call my pocket camera. I buy shirts that have two pockets, left one for notebook and pen(s), right one for the camera. I almost never leave the house without it in my shirt pocket, just in case. Oh! Yes I am retired and get to dress for me (two pockets), not for business, well the classroom in my case.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I get the same feeling at times. Its a dilemma.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Nah, not any more. I learned my lesson long ago. Never, ever leave home without a camera.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Me too. When I remember its a camera.:thumbup:

amehta Loc: Boston

Most of the pictures we take just get added to the collection. But the story of the picture you missed is a memory you will keep forever. :-)