Timothy was a world traveler. He was known for his photographs of wildlife. His work had been published in various wildlife magazines across the world. Timothy was very pleased with his work. He had accomplished all he ever wanted except for photographing a rotagilla.
A rotagilla had never been photographed before. Various sketches had been obtained over the years. The alligator face, the pink complexion, the rabbit-like back legs, and the tiger-like tail gave the animal a mysterious quality.
Timothy was determined to photograph a rotagilla, not to become famous for yet another thing, but for his own satisfaction. He never started taking photographs to become well-known.. He just loved nature and wanted to be able to remember the mesmerizing beauty when he couldn't be outside. Timothy would hide his photographs after they were developed, but in one way of another, they were always discovered.
Timothy had been in New Zealand taking pictures of the kiwi bird and trying to "capture" a rotagilla too. H wasn't having much success on photographing the rotagilla and planned on going elsewhere. Luckily his friend Alberto, a zoologist he met on one of his many voyages, was in Louisiana studying the animals of the bayou.
Timothy rushed out and despite the difference in time, started his work right away. Alberto told Timothy that it would probably be very hard to photograph any rotagillas because the mosquitos constantly bothered them.
Alberto was right; Timothy found that the rotagillas constantly moved trying to keep the mosquitos off of them. He couldn't keep his camera on one for one second before it moved. He was quite disappointed with the failed attempts, but continued to try every day.
Alberto finished his study on the bayou animals about three weeks after Timothy arrived. The spent the next two days preparing to go to Canada. It would be a nice change. The muggy, steamy, humid air of the south could get quite tiring.
Once in Canada, both started on their work. The cool, crisp, clear air was a major improvement. It was a quiet day when Timothy finally saw a rotagilla sitting still. It was right there in the grass in front of him. It's red skin let it be seen from a good distance. He focused his camera, got down on one knee, and snapped the picture.
It was Timothy's last picture. He was very lucky that he was able to photograph the rotagilla, for after his camera clicked, it waded into the nearby water. Timothy felt so happy and celebrated in his own way by stilling down and just admiring all the nature around him. It gave Timothy a sense of peace and wholeness.
Timothy got the pictures developed as soon as possible. He had many copies made, but his them all in his portfolio marked "private." He had hoped that this one would stay a secret. He never told Alberto that he did photograph a rotagilla. He didn't want word out into the open world. However, one night Timothy forgot to put his portfolio up because he got so tired he left it out on the table.
The next day, Alberto was straightening up the room where they stayed, he saw Timothy's portfolio lying open. He did not know it was Timothy's private portfolio. Alberto looked in it and found the photographs of the rotagilla and took one. Timothy wouldn't mind; at least that's what Alberto thought.
Little did Timothy know that Alberto was writing a report on the rotagilla. He also didn't know that Alberto took a photograph. Timothy was very satisfied with his accomplishment and planned on returning to New Zealand in a few days.
As soon as Timothy had returned to New Zealand, Alberto sent in his report and the picture along with it. The next week, the report and picture appeared in an international wildlife magazine. Alberto didn't know the Timothy and many of his friends subscribed to the magazine. It was another disappointment to Timothy, but he accepted that it must have been what was planned for him.
Soon, many reporters began appearing at Timothy's door. He would answer every question honestly and modestly. He told them that all he had ever really wanted was to take photographs for his own enjoyment, but somehow they were always discovered.
A month passed, and Alberto was asked to write an encyclopedia article on the rotagilla. Timothy was asked for permission to use his photograph in the encyclopedia. He reluctantly agreed only because it had already been published.
Once again, despite his dream of peace and quietness, Timothy had become famous for yet another photograph. Would this be the last time? Timothy hoped so.