They say, "always bring your camera".

[teamster633]

It's advice I fail to heed all too often. The top priority of the morning was to get in at least 20 miles on my bike at the coast. The summer is fading fast, as is the motivation to make the trip. We live on a tidal river and we're only 30-40 minutes away from the ocean but, most years we go for a week's vacation and that's it. I put my bike on top of the car last night. Still, it was a pretty leisurely roll-out this morning. By the time I got to Rye and got 26 miles in, it was 11:00. I looked around as I tried to walk off impending leg cramps and noted the awful light, the boring, washed-out sky...it didn't appear that there would be any reason to take the camera out but, even as I packed it, I hadn't expected much. Then, just as I was about to put the bike back up on the car, a great blue heron landed in the salt marsh across the street. It couldn't have been more than 15 yards away. I wasn't really prepared but, I managed to grab a couple of quick shots before it moved on.

[elleng]

1. Pretty nice, for being not really prepared!

[Callalily]

2. *BIG SIGH*

I miss many photo ops simply because of circumstance. Your blue heron? Well, I'm a rower and in the mornings we see many herons. Camera? Oh no, not in the boat, we're seriously rowing. And even when I'm coxing, the rare opportunities when I bring my camera are rare.

So glad that you were able to capture this beautiful heron.

:hug:

[qnr]

3. See, that's when you need to have a pair of those camera sunglasses :)

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/c3eb/

[teamster633]

5. Do they come in Ray Bans ?

[JeffR]

11. Those are awesome.

:D

[qnr]

4. Very nice. I'm different, I specifically go on long bike rides just to take photos n/t

[teamster633]

6. Sometimes I do that as well.

It is a lot easier to get to some places worth photographing on a bicycle. In this case, 20+ miles is a little long for me. I'm already at a disadvantage with a mountain bike watching all those road bikes whizzing by. Today I was trying to travel as lightly as I could so the backpack with camera and lenses stayed in the trunk until I returned.

[qnr]

8. I understand just what you mean. Mine is a cross. I use it mostly on streets,

but it also sees a lot of trails and beaches. Mine is probably more comfortable for long distances than yours though. I don't worry about the road bikes whizzing by, I'm carrying a lot of gear most of the time and even if I weren't, I'm out there to actually explore.

[handmade34]

7. nice heron

oh yes, many times I say, "...for want of a camera"... my problem too often is when I'm working I have my camera but no time nor place to stop to get the shot

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

9. Yes!

Always carry your camera. Though yesterday I wasn't fast enough to get a picture of a Tucker automobile :cry:

[JeffR]

10. Wow!

Good souvenir and good reminder.