Ack! the issues i'm having to confront right now..it would surely make all of you laugh incredibly hard seeing me out in the field in my many modes of observation. I've been known to chase for blocks in hopes of capturing that magic which happens not nearly enough, but still quite often.

My advice Jack would be to have no doubt and to take the picture whenever-wherever-and as-soon-as you see it . Often i can get the first shot or two in before they even know i'm there... Regret sucks! so i try to avoid it.
Gosh jordy, sounds like you and i have a few things in common. My fav is to pretend im just making adjustments to my camera and to seem entirely disinterested in them. It's cruel, i know. But it's definitely the most effective. I've fooled many a mullet! At least 6 today, in fact...8)