By Scott Shephard

Generally, my photography is intentional rather than accidental. That is to say that I go looking for photos. But yesterday morning this one found me. I knew we were close to a full moon - I almost always pay attention to that.

But when I stepped out onto our patio, my intent was to check the weather. What you see here is what greeted me. Knowing that things like light and fog are fleeting, I rushed to get my camera. I should have used a tripod but I knew that the minute or two it would take to get it set up might jeopardize my opportunity. And so I shot with my telephoto lens resting against a post.

 A great photo? Not exactly. A good photo? I guess so. Ansel Adams said that "fortune favors the prepared mind." I agree with that: good photos are sometimes a result of good luck. But good photos are rarely accidents. I would say that about this photo. But did I have a prepared mind? Not really.

The next time there's a full moon when there is fog in the river bottom and the willow is golden with new leaves, I'll be ready and waiting. But the chance of these things all happening at the same time in my life are almost zero. In some ways every photo is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity . . . . 

Canon 5DIII 1/30s f/4.5 ISO1250 140mm