Emma and I were on the road just a hair past 7:00 this morning to make our last trip to Yellowstone. And what a photographers dream trip it was! In our 170 mile journey, we managed to be in the right spot at the exactly right time for some wonderful wildlife encounters. :) I bet I took around 200 shots today, and all of them were fantastic. The view through my lens finder was all that I could want, and everything was in very sharp focus. We saw a male bison swim across the Yellowstone River right up to us, and then wallow in the dirt and shake off all the water like a dog does.
It is rutting season for the bison now, and we were in the car not five feet from a bellowing bull that was trying to impress the lady at his feet. Then it was on to fantastic pictures of an osprey and a Swainson's hawk. It was just one of those wonderful days where everything is perfect....
Until I got home to download the pictures onto the laptop. I nearly fainted when I noticed that the 8GB memory stick was still in the laptop and not in my camera! Ugh! I almost broke down in tears. That meant that everything I saw today was only etched into my memory, not that of the camera. :( How could I have forgotten to put that memory stick back into the camera? So much for my last great trip into Yellowstone.
So, there are no pictures tonight, and after yesterday's high, I have fallen off my pedestal and am back down to earth. Good thing I didn't buy that cape yet. :)
Now the big question is, do I make another effort tomorrow to return and try again? I had left the next three days in my schedule for packing up, but I may not cross this way again. What do you think?
Thanks for stopping by....talk to you later, Judy
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Well, I am one who would have cried for sure. I have gone out with dead batteries before & I have messed up some great photos thinking I was on auto focus when I wasn't. And, I have made all the other mistakes as well, but I have never, nor would I ever take a memory stick out of a camera. Many people do I've never understood why. Spend a few dollars on a simple USB camera cord. Just leave one end plugged into your computer all the time & at the end of each day just plug your camera in & transfer the pictures. I have downloaded thousands of photos this way with no problem. It's too late now for your wonderful day but it's not to late for....your next wonderful day:))
ReplyDeleteGo for it tomorrow, Ya gotta try just one more time!!!
ReplyDeleteJim
YOU got to see it. That's what matters! Of course, if you do go back, we'd sure understand. Have fun, whatever!
ReplyDeleteI have done that myself, but I get a warning on the first shot as I have it set to not take pictures without the memory card.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great day, even without the pictures. One thing is for sure, you will not forget this day!
I did a similar thing with film once. The film had come off the sprockets and it was only when I went well past 36 shots that I realized something was wrong - very wrong. No pictures as the film never advanced.
ReplyDeleteI think you should head back out tomorrow, maybe the adventure will be even better than today!
Make another trip or you will always regret it. The exact bison and the raptors may not co-operate, but maybe more furry or feathery friends will join you too.
ReplyDeleteIf your hinge screws ever fall out again, you can use the toothpick trick, but coat the picks in Elmer's first, just like you do when joining cabinetry. Then they will never come out.
Yes, I have done that, too, Judy. I was able to recover and drive back to the campground and get the card, but I was sure mad at myself.
ReplyDeleteI vote for trying it again tomorrow, but that's selfish on my part because I want to see your pictures.
I have a feeling that you were not wearing your mask and cape, Wonder Woman. That's why your special powers did not work. ;)
I go along with everyone who thinks you should go back tomorrow. Just don't set your expectations too high, and you won't be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteMy camera came with the usb cord to attach the camera to my computer. I plug them together, turn on the camera, and it goes directly to my iPhotos to download. I'd get a usb cord if I were you, and avoid that happening again. It would be so easy to forget to check for the memory card.
Gosh, it's terrible that happened! D: At least you were able to experience all of those wonders first-hand, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to side with the others on this; go back! One can never get too much Yellowstone. :)
I second all the votes for making another trip, even though it is a long one. How soon will you be coming back to Yellowstone? Maybe not for awhile since there are so many places to see and explore. That is heartbreaking about the memory card, Judy. You're still Wonder Woman to me. :)
ReplyDeleteI also vote for another trip. I know you have the memories etched in your mind and heart but you owe it to yourself to make the trip again especially since you think you won't be back for some time.
ReplyDeleteThings like that happen...and you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. I think you are still wonder woman....you have my vote!!
Mike & Gerri (happytrails)
Judy, so sorry your camera didn't see what you saw! Decision is yours...will you be that way again? If you do go back tomorrow, will you see the same wonders you saw today?
ReplyDeleteAbout the map on my blog...I compose the entries in Live Writer and then upload them to Blogger. Inserting a map is one of the options in Live Writer. Kinda cool, eh?
Spent some time trying to get an editable calendar into my blog so folks can see when we're traveling, etc. Got any ideas?
Cheers, Wonder Woman!!
come on now..get the cape and the tights back on..load in the memory stick and get back out there..the animals will understand and pose again!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's a live and learn world, isn't it? I did the same thing on my camera when I took it out for its first test run. After that I did two things - disabled the feature that allows the camera to take photos without a card, so I get alerted immediately; and took one of my small, crochet handbags, placed a spare card and battery in it, as well as my mini tabletop tripod. I keep the bag with the camera and where it goes, so goes the bag.
ReplyDeleteConnecting the camera to the computer to download photos is probably the best idea, but I often have multiple cards to download, so it's just as easy for me to stick the card into the laptop.
If I were in your shoes, and had the time to spare, I'd be repeating the trip to try and recapture the images. Sure, wildlife won't come out and pose for you exactly the same way they did the first time, but who knows what else mother nature may have in store for you?
Two things I always carry with me are two sets of newly charged batteries, and a spare sd card, just in case the one in the camera decides to take a dive, I use an 16gig sd that I bought at Micro Centers for $29.99. on my Canon with it set for the biggest resolution your looking at 5000 pictures, shouldn't be a problem for a day of picture taking, it will also take one hour of HD movies which is why I bought the 16gig. Also I too use the USB cord to download just keep all three in you bag and you will never have that happen again. Plus you can download pictures to any computer with the cord handy and not back on your table.I don't want to sound like a broken record but GO BACK and get those twice in a lifetime shots, the bulls will still be rutting and like you said who knows if you'll get back that way again. Be safe out there.. Sam & Donna.
ReplyDeleteIt just wasn't meant to be.
ReplyDeleteStay Safe
Oh no! I know the feeling! I accidentally left the memory card in the special reader plugged into the laptop and forgot to put it back in the camera! I had wonderful views of the lobster fishermen reeling in their traps last month!! I didn't realize the camera was telling me: NO CF CARD!
ReplyDeleteNow I double check my camera so that doesn't happen again!
I can bet even Ansell Adams had days like that!
Thought he got some award winning shots only to find out the plate glass was already exposed! :)
Hugs, Kathy
Robyn Kay said:
ReplyDeleteOh mom.. that is too bad :o( I gasped when I read that you didn't have your memory stick. What a defeated feeling it must have been.
I'm not sure you'd get the same result by heading out today. It seemed as though fate was guiding you yesterday.
The clear and crisp morning gave me a great run today. I will pass on some of my good fortune.
May the wind carry you, the sun be always at your back and your finger quick to the shot
Photo shot that is :o)
As always, proud to serve! SFC Robyn Lapko:o)