Better Luck Next Time

It is a game of endurance and persistence—one I often lose, but without regrets or grudges. The location provides ample opportunity for capturing one of those shots that you pat yourself on the back for managing.

Spasmata, Kefalonia fishing in winter
Winter light (Spasmata, Kefalonia)

The setting


The rocky outcrop to the left of the beach is home to dozens of seagulls—nesting their young, flying to-and-from in interesting formations, and doing all sorts of inconceivable acrobatics.

The towering white rocks to the right provide a stark background for fishermen casting or pulling in their nets.

Straight ahead are the cloud formations over the peninsula of Paliki, indicative of the weather's general intentions for the next few days.

A few yards to the back is the end of the airport runway, with no surprises in activity this time of year.

Dispersed throughout the small bay are a number of fishing boats, some farther out, one or two to the right towards the white rocks. You'd think that it would be a matter of minutes before I'd get that desired shot.

Well, it isn't that simple...
Fishing near White Rocks, Kefalonia
Fishing near White Rocks, Kefalonia

The players


I can vouch for this; here, on this small bay, are the most uncooperative seagulls and fishermen on the entire island!

The birds seem to take off from their rocky haven only when I'm distracted doing some mundane task—like changing lenses or shifting position to avoid numbness.

The fisherman seems to (intentionally?) let the boat drift sideways to a most inconvenient (for the camera) position.

Is it possible that man and birds may be in cahoots? 
Yes, a conspiracy is clearly indicated.

No worries, I will be back


On this particular day, my "catch" was menial.
But it never fails!
Just when the dampness of the day began to overwhelm my bones and I just had to leave, it happened. The fisherman started to pull the net in, and a cloud of seagulls flocked over the boat to claim their share of the loot. A perfect window of opportunity for snapping some interesting shots.

But I was already in the car, no sense turning back.
Maybe next time...

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