Lens Artists Photo Challenge #393 – Lucky Shot

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Sofia’s challenge is to see how luck can play a big role in capturing some of our best shots.

Most of my lucky shots occurred because I was in the right place at the right time with my camera and the right lens. When we are traveling I always have my camera or my phone handy just in case we see something by the side of the road. When we are home I keep my camera close by so I can grab it if I see something interesting outside. Full disclosure: I have previously posted photos of all of these animals except for the Bald Eagle.

I would never have captured the birds in the following gallery without a little help from friends. Last week a neighbor called to let me know there was an American Bald Eagle perched on the power pole across from our house. I had to scramble to get my camera and telephoto lens ready. Lucky for me he stayed perched on the pole long enough for me to set my camera on burst and start shooting. I grabbed my camera on my way out the door one day last year after a friend texted me about a Roseate Spoonbill in a tree beside the road.

I captured the next three shots as we were riding along in our truck. For each of these shots Henry had to pull over on the side of the road so I could take a few photos. In each case the animal totally ignored us.

Black Bear in field of dandelions on the side of the road, Canada

Bull Elk beside the road in Banff National Park, Canada

Big Horn Sheep posing for the camera in Zion National Park, Utah

I was walking along a beach in Oahu when I came across this sea turtle on the sand. I was so glad I had my camera!

Green Sea Turtle on the beach, Oahu, Hawaii

I’ll finish with my favorite Lucky Shot. The look on this woman’s face is priceless.

Alligator with an attitude at Shark Valley, Everglades National Park

Patti’s challenge last week asked us to explore using the foreground, middle ground, and background when framing our shots. I enjoyed all of your creative responses.

Many thanks to Sofia for this week’s challenge. If you would like to join the challenge please be sure to tag your post with Lens-Artists and include a link back to her post Lens-Artists #393: Lucky Shot.

Be sure to check back on Saturday, April 18 at noon eastern time when John will be hosting the challenge

You can keep up with all the challenges by subscribing to the Lens-Artists team members websites: Tina, Patti, Ann-Christine, John, Sofia, Anne, Egidio, Ritva, Beth.

For information on how to join the Len-Artists challenge please click here.

Every Day is a Gift

39 thoughts on “Lens Artists Photo Challenge #393 – Lucky Shot”

    1. Thanks Egidio. I hate to let a good wildlife photo opportunity get away. We were walking on the pathway in the Everglades when I turned around and saw the alligator crossing where we had just walked. Most of the other visitors were busy looking the other way and missed the gator. I always wondered what make the woman turn around at that moment.

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  5. Oh, Beth, where to begin… I’m a turtle girl through and through so he’s my favourite. How close were you? That’s an amazing shot! Indeed they all are. Your travels have gifted you with some real treasures. Thank you for sharing them. pp

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  6. I’ve always felt luck was half the battle in photography, (not that its a battle, LOL), Beth. Wow,, those are some amazing captures! Wildlife is especially fun to see up close, with that little thrill of excitement to spice it up! The lady and the alligator shot is wonderful. You’ve given me some good ideas for a post!

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  12. Great shots, Beth. They are all good, but the shot of the Big Horn running across the rock is really special. My camera is always with me when we are out and about on trips. And I keep it handy at home. I don’t take it with me to the grocery store, however. Someday, I am bound to miss a great photo because of that. Since my digital camera does well at super long shots and close ups, I don’t have to worry about other lens. BTW, the alligator shot was another classic!

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  13. I do agree about being in the right place at the right time, but as you’ve also proved, we make our own luck a lot of the time. Having the camera to hand, making sure your neighbours know you like to take photos of the wildlife, having a husband who’s briefed to pull over when necessary … All adds up to a wonderful collection of shots, culminating in that last amazing capture 😀

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    1. Thanks Pam! I have featured this bear in the dandelions a few times. It’s still one of my favorite lucky shots. If there had been traffic on the road we wouldn’t have been able to stop and I would have missed it.

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