To be always ready

I can’t overstate the importance of always being ready as a wildlife photographer. The BBC recently published an article that perfectly illustrates what I mean.

Just the other day, I was at a local park with a lake when an otter suddenly emerged from the bushes, sprinting toward the water. By the time I raised my camera and attempted to take a photo, it was too late. The otter had disappeared into tall grass, and the camera couldn’t lock focus. I had missed the brief moment when it ran across the shorter grass, clearly visible.

It felt like I’d lost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to photograph one of the most graceful animals I’ve ever encountered.

Spot were I lost view of the otter.