Okay, so no, I don’t in fact believe in chance…or luck…but I do believe in being at the right place at the right time and doing the right thing…even when you don’t know what any of those are. I believe that we are blessed beyond our deserts…and nothing convinces me more than wildlife photography.

And, of course, before any of you get started, if I had a real camera and a real lens (full frame DSLR and a 600mm or APS DSLR and a 400mm) this would, indeed, have been a better image…but you work with what you have. Besides, I am pretty sure I could not shoot off-hand with either of those rigs anyway. The Canon SX20IS cranked out is a 560mm, f5.7 equivalent, and set on sports mode for the fastest shutter speeds it is very easy…and very quick on target. I only wish it had a more rapid burst (motor) mode. One frame per second is pretty slow for flying birds.

This shot is actually more intentional than it looks. I was panning with the geese when the crane entered the frame, flying at about twice the speed of the geese. I barely had the presence of mind to click the shutter and pray.

Imagine my delight when I reviewed the shot a few seconds later!

Sometimes you do get more than you deserve indeed.

Canon SX20IS as above, f8.0 @ 1/1250th @ ISO 320. Sports mode.

Processed lightly for intensity in Lightroom.

And a couple more on the same theme: 

And, no, I insist, chance has nothing to do with it!