d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

I recently had shoulder replacement surgery and although I am recovering with exceptional speed, I am yet unable to hold anything heavier than a paper tissue up toward my face. I was just given the okay to drive, and two nights ago I drove into the neighborhood only to see a beautiful owl sitting on the branch of a tree, about six feet up and two yards to the side of the street. I stopped the car and he and I sat looking at each other for almost five minutes. Of course, because I cannot raise the camera, I had none with me. Yesterday, I drove in during daylight and an absolutely gorgeous red tailed hawk was sitting on that exact, same branch. Another three or four minute standoff resulted...with no camera in sight. In eleven years of living in this house, I have never seen anything like that on the drive into the neighborhood. Is mother nature just screwing with me? Today, I am going to jerry-rig something to allow me to put my camera in the camera and hit the shutter with a remote, triggered by the weak right hand!

In the meantime, I am seriously thinking about suing the surgeon for malpractice!

dyximan

Best of luck and I hope you're joking about suing your doctor

Miquel99 Loc: Belgium

A fast recovery!
I have had the same (with not having the camera): going out with my dog, the other evening, also an owl. And of course, no camera! Yesterday evening I took the camera, (as I will be doing today): no owl!. Same happens with foxes: there are 2 families living near us, but I only see them when I don't have my camera! (and I have been for 3 weeks every day, same time, same place, with the camera waiting fir the fox to appear).
Best regards,
Miquel

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

Dyximan, of course I was. As I said, the recovery is going along better than I thought it would. As part of the proof, there is a lady at Physical Therapy who had the same surgery ten days before mine, and she is nowhere near as advanced as I am in the process. That was a tongue-n-cheek comment. The doctor is a top-notch practitioner. My real beef is with the wildlife!

dyximan

That's what I thought but some here are quite literal, and so much is lost in the written word, for me anyway

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Isn't that the way of things :) My husband had shoulder replacement surgery and has recovered his pre- surgery mobility. I had rotator cuff repair and it took me longer but still have had good outcome. Take heart and know your condition is temporary. In the meantime start with a cell phone when you can and progress when you are able.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I completely understand your predicament and wish you a complete recovery. Though different surgery than yours, I was told I couldn't lifr any more than 5 pounds (10 kilograms approx). We had a wonderful storm move through here and the only camera I could use was my DSC-F-707. I took a photograph of the clouds covering part of a well-known mountain range in the area. Wonderful image for posting, but useless for making an enlargement of any respectable size.
--Bob

d3200prime

Hope a speedy recovery and maybe mother nature was just letting you know where you can come to get some great shots when you can. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! Good shooting to you!

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

The best picture is the one you didn't get for whatever reason. Hope you have many more opportunities once you recover.Hubby had one separated tendon and the other was half-torn, plus ruptured biceps muscle. Had rotator cuff surgery and is completely recovered with no mobility issues in his shoulder. It took about three months to recover, and probably another six to be able to get back to firewood-cutting, which is what got him into this predicament.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

SS319

So many time when carrying and using the camera, we are so interested in camera settings and in the activities of taking a picture that we fail to enjoy what we see, what we photograph. I believe you received a couple blessings by not being able to distract your viewing with the intricacies of capturing that owl, that hawk on film - you were "forced" to just sit and enjoy their presence.

Rather than a missed opportunity, I think was a special opportunity

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Thanks all this is heartening to read of successful repairs. I AM in the need to get mine fixed column. Ugh.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

To the OP: Yes, be glad that you had a chance to see these sights. Allegedly there are Snow Owls wintering in our area this winter, but I haven't seen them. I would happily not have a camera with me {yes, I've actually tried that} if it meant seeing them.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

Agreed! I am given to sarcasm and some exaggeration. Your comment is well taken, which is why I sat and watched, as I said in my original post. Thank you for your thoughts - and that was not sarcasm!

BebuLamar

The bird knew that you were harmless as you didn't have a camera with you.