Was looking for ways to keep my eight year-old son entertained so I thought I'd grab my camera and we'd visit the US Submarine Force Museum down the road in Groton. Finally got on the road and realized I'd left my camera at home. No big deal, I'd been there many times before and there was likely nothing new to see. As we get out of the car, I notice the security escort is out in force on the Thames River. Either they're practicing security measures or a sub is about to get underway from the Groton sub base next door.
Crapola.
I meant to grab my Canon. Now it's too late to go back for it.
We pass right through the museum and head out onto the deck of the Nautilus to get a better view in case something does transpire. After watching the armed escort ships with flashing blue lights hold station in steady winds for several minutes, my son is getting bored and asks to go inside Nautilus. Just then we hear a ship's whistle and can see a nuke sub being eased out of it's berth.
Double crapola!
I'd be able to get some real close ups, even with my low range 18-135 mm lens, if I hadn't had a brain fart. The one time...
Still, it was great spectating and my son soon got super excited, especially when an approaching high speed pleasure craft ignored several warnings to stop, causing the escort boats, armed with 50 caliber machine guns, to accelerate into action. After several hairy seconds and two more warnings to "Pull over the high speed boat NOW!" the civilian craft finally got the message and a crisis was averted.

Here's a crappy cell phone shot of the Los Angeles class sub going by.



I also have video footage of the above mentioned confrontation but don't know if I am potentially compromising security and/or inviting scrutiny from Uncle Sam if I post that as well.

Anybody else have tales of other missed photo opportunities you're still kicking yourself over?

The other one that really stands out took place on my honeymoon. My wife and I were in downtown Provincetown, Massachusetts when I looked up the narrow main street to see an elderly lady hunched over a walker very slowly making her way towards me down the middle of the thoroughfare with a long line of delivery trucks and cars stretched out behind her. I fortunately had my camera with me, whipped it out faster than Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles, and pressed the shutter only to realize it was still on extended exposure from the night before when I was taking photos of the night sky and stars, Cursing as the seconds crept by, I finally was ready to adjust shutter speed and take aim again right as the little old lady veered to the sidewalk an my opportunity was lost. I can still see that hilarious image in my mind of a long line of trucks and cars stuck behind an old lady with a walker in the middle of the road, but I find it hard to laugh about it.