The best camera is the one that’s with you

Now that the ice storm has passed, the temperature is in the 50s, and everything is thawing out, I thought I would go for a quick neighborhood walk, and maybe see what those belters are up to. Knowing the light was going fast, and I primarily wanted to get out of the house and stretch my legs, I chose not to bring my camera. This was going to be a quick walk after all.

As I rounded the corner and approached the cow pasture abutting my neighborhood, I stood in disbelief as a picturesque scene filled my view. As the setting sun slowly dropped behind the trees, back-lighting a dozen Belted Galloways as they grazed on a fresh round bale of hay, it illuminated their fluffy winter coats like hallos. As I gaped, two ducks flew directly toward me, and then, with that magical innate trait of fowl, they banked in unison to the right creating beautiful silhouettes in front of the sunset. And if by queue, a herd of miniature donkeys galloped onto the scene.

Seriously.

As you can see in the photo below, I’m not exaggerating.

Oh wait, I can’t show you, I didn’t have my camera.

After a few minutes of standing in awe of the scene and becoming increasingly angry because I deliberately chose NOT to bring my camera with me, I slowly realized that I still had my smartphone in my pocket.

While I can’t prove any of the rest to you, I can assure you it is true.

And donkeys are apparently very curious.

And a little threatening.

I don’t really like the look of smartphone photos. I’ve grown too accustomed to my regular gear, but having these to share is better than not having anything at all, so I guess photographer Chase Jarvis was correct when he said, “the best camera is the one that’s with you.”

With that, I’ll leave you with the words of another famous photographer, Thorsten von Overgaard: “Always wear a camera.”