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| Last week while traveling
along the California Coast, I came upon a moment at Morro Bay that
presented frustration. Morro is known for its population
of adorable Sea Otters. I had hoped to use the camera while spying
on their lives, as they frolicked in the bay near the power plant.
They were off shore, but close enough to observe their activities,
which included babies riding around on mama's chest - Cute stuff like
that! There was additional activity with friendly ground squirrels at
our feet. However it was quite overcast that morning, and the gray
of the sky was blending with darkness of the water, and not creating the
best opportunities for photographing the adorable otters. Although, I was using my 70 x 300mm lens, and could reach the distance of their water play, I found frustration with the lighting. On the banks of the bay and to my right was a serious photographer. He was standing there with his camera mounted on a tripod, with what appeared to be at least a 600 mm lens attached. I felt completely outgunned; but even he displayed displeasure about current shooting capabilities. If you shuffle around this planet long, it is natural to have a few regrets about missed opportunities. I've been fortunate that I don't dwell on many of those. However, for a few moments today, I began thinking back to past decades to particular iconic historic scenes, which pranced into my head. Opportunities I wish I'd had a camera in my hands. There was November 22, 1963, when I was working in an insurance office here in Sacramento. News came in that President John Kennedy had been shot in Dallas. I remember the scene at my manager's desk as if it were yesterday, while he sat riveted to his little transistor radio with two or three co-workers, intently listening to the unfolding tragedy and drama. I wish I'd captured the office scene on film. There are not only the ultra dramatic pictures of actual historical events - but the etched reflections on the collective faces of mankind. There's also August 9th 1974 - the date Richard Nixon resigned in disgrace in the wake of the Watergate scandal. I was a bride back then, with a young family. My husband and I had campaigned for Mc Govern in 1972, and we still had our campaign sign in the garage. My husband had gone into the garage upon Nixon's announcement, and pounded the sign back into the lawn. He was lighting off fireworks, whooping and hollering in glee, when a neighbor came out to say he was being "immature" about it all. If only I had taken a picture. There are other special dates emblazoned on the collective memory of not only mankind, but also our special individual experience. If we miss the opportunity to capture them to film; or in today's world -pixels, it is important to remember we still have the memories!
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