Ever just watch and not shoot?

For the first time, in a while, I just wanted to watch the birds coming to our feeders....didn't reach for a camera.

I just wanted to appreciate the beauty of nature.

There were woodpeckers, Pileated, Downy, Hairy, and Vireos, other song birds, black birds, Cardinals and you name it.

Spring(if you can believe that in Minnesota) was in it's glory tonight.

I just wanted to watch.

Any of you just watch?

I do a lot of watching and feel relaxed just sitting there watching wildlife do their thing. I learn a lot about their behavior that way.

Do it all the time. Best advice I ever got as a photographer was when I was headed to Africa three years ago. The advice? "Put the camera down." I followed it then and many times since, and have never regretted it. When I was in Alaska recently, the moments I remember best are those where I just watched the eagles. Just sat (or more usually stood) and watched and listened and admired.

And congrats on spring finally getting there. Your winter has been BRUTAL.

Yep, best part of the day.

I'm puzzled by the question. I started as a birder. Didn't have a camera for years. I understand the concept but I've done a LOT of watching without a camera. Still do. Sounds like you are becoming a birder... Be sure to LISTEN to the birds though...
John Mc

I'm a birder first so I do a lot of off camera observation. It's fun just to watch them and not worry about getting the shot.

I did that very thing for the first time last summer and was amazed at how much I enjoyed it. You don't get the full appreciation of the grace and beauty of some of these animals when you have your face stuck to the back of a camera. I spend more time just watching than I used to and am happy that I am.

I'm sorry, I just can't do it. I think I'm a bit obsessive.... like clinically.

When I go for a stroll with my wife, I find myself looking around for birds, and when I do, I think to myself "dammit, I should have brought the camera" I'm not joking.

I do. Indeed, I have been in situations where I was so intrigued by what I was seeing that I plain forgot I had a camera in my hand...

Julius

I do when I am counting my birds for my blog. I often watch for a bit. But, the camera is always near at home. When I am on my route, I don't have the camera, so I don't have a choice but to sit and watch.....which I really appreciate, too.

Lots. In fact, I started out by just watching the birds in the trees, then put a fountain/birdbath on the deck, then tried taking pictures with a little 'pocket' camera, then got a bigger camera, then bought a 400L,...

The birds like it better when I just sit and watch. They don't particularly like all the fussing around and shutter clicking.

Crimzon wrote in post #12387509
I'm sorry, I just can't do it. I think I'm a bit obsessive.... like clinically.

When I go for a stroll with my wife, I find myself looking around for birds, and when I do, I think to myself "dammit, I should have brought the camera" I'm not joking.

That's what I think every time I go without my camera too. I usually either see something really close or rare. For the rare birds, I'll rush back home and get it so I can have document photos for the area. If I'm out on a birding weekend (away from the house), I will always have my camera at least in the car.

Crimzon wrote in post #12387509
I'm sorry, I just can't do it. I think I'm a bit obsessive.... like clinically.

When I go for a stroll with my wife, I find myself looking around for birds, and when I do, I think to myself "dammit, I should have brought the camera" I'm not joking.

I'm right there with you, only difference is when we go for a walk, I still bring the camera with me.

I love to watch for long periods of time, I simply watch through the lens so when something cool happens, I can press the shutter button

The only time I am generally watching and not shooting is:

-when a bird is in an unfavourable spot (no clear view)
-when my battery has died

I observe all the time.