Is it always necessary to take a picture?

This morning just after my first cup of decaf, I saw a Great Blue Heron sitting on our deck railing. Yes, on our very own deck, 5 meters (15 feet) from me. At first I just stared in slack jaw wonder.

Then, ding ding, I remembered: "Dummy, you're a pro photographer, you should take a picture." But no camera, not even an iPhone in sight. Would he wait for me to get my Nikon D800 from my office? 

Fortunately, the bird sensed that I was a true pro and patently stood his ground on the railing. Fortunately also, I had to photograph through our screen door to get that professional soft look with those special-effects lines. (Compliments to Nikon, I had no focus problems through the screen door filter in the foreground.)

Sometimes I wonder if it might be better just to watch and enjoy the moment instead of running to get a camera. 

What about you? Do you always take photos during those full-of-wonder moments?