Otter

Hi Everyone,

Just got back from a two-week trip to Mull. Went there for otters and it did not disappoint. However, the weather was bloody awful and at times I was very jealous of those of you out doing the rut in those crisp, sunny mornings. Out of two weeks I had 3 dry and bright days... yuk! Saying that, the worse the weather got, the more otters I found. Typical. Couldn't be the other way around could it!?

This is a shot of a dog otter photographed during his usual routine of scent marking (sprainting) and feeding. I captured a lovely sequence as he left the water, shook himself dry, and then trotted right up the shingle beach.

EOS 1DSmkII, EF600mm F4 IS L, Beanbag on ground, 1/200th sec at F4, +2/3rds for the bright shingle and water, ISO400

Lovely, so nice to see one of these out in the open. Great image!

Chris.

As someone who has spent more of his life in the back of a LandRover on Mull in bl**dy awful weather, waiting, waiting, waiting....and then crawled on his stomach through untold amounts of weed/mud/bracken/midges/ticks/dog poo and worse all I can say is - superb. This is an unusual image of a difficult subject. The low viewpoint and the oof fore/backgrounds is just perfect to show off the otter. Cracker sir and I take my hat off to you. And for anyone who's not tried this game - doing it with a 500f4 is hard enough, but a 600f4 makes it an even more difficult task!

Terrific shot enhanced by the low angle. A just reward for your persistance in such crappy conditions.

What a capture Elliott - super PoV - the business

absolute belter

the lack of depth of focus somehow works in this shot, probably because the point of focus is in a "golden third" zone but it also concentrates your gaze onto the face and eyes of the subject

Absolutly inspirational

Paul

Its a corker Elliot

Agree with Mike's comment, regarding dof.

Super result in challenging conditions

Alan

Super stuff indeed Elliott - makes it all worth the waiting when you get stuff like this doesn't it.



Mark

Excellent. Nothing else to say!


John

stunning shot elliott, the detail is superb

A truly wonderful picture Elliot. A good example of knowing your subject. I can only imagine the amount of time, effort and perseverance that has gone into the make of this outstanding image.

Very, very nice.



Paul

Great, having never gotten an image of an Otter i'm most impressed!

Hi Elliott,

Looks like your dedication and skill has well and truelly paid off with this one.

Excellent shot.

Extremely impressive - simply a perfect shot. Tristan

Shame about the light but fantastic in all other respects Elliott

Hi very nice I think the members should go and look at your web site you have some superb images on their of the otters still this is a way cool image.

Phillip.

Hello everyone. Thanks all for the favourable comments. This was one of my favourite from the trip. As John M will appreciate (thanks for your comments sir and I dob my hat in return), it is very, very difficult to get a completely clear shot of an otter. In fact, after 5 trips, this is my first! I must say a big thank you to Jerry Sutton, my "Otter Guru". Without his guidance, I am sure I would have very average shots indeed!

Excellent! Ample reward for all the discomfort & time spent crawling around in the s***.
Pity about the weather, but you cant have it too easy

Great photo Elliott! out of focus foreground and background helps concentrate the eye on otter. Magnificant beast and to your dedication.

Cheers,
Marko

Yet another person adding to the chorus of praise - excellent shot!



Mark

Very nice. I am off to Mull in June and if I get anything one quarter as good as this I will be happy....

Hello Eillott

Very nice, great to see one running in the open. How is Jerry.



Danny

Gary, might see you there. That's when I'm heading back - for the long sunny evenings!
Danny, jerry is on great form.

Very nice picture Elliott, nice to see them in there natural surroundings.

john