Otters (mother & cub)

Hi Everyone. Got back from the Isle of Mull on Sunday. Had a great trip despite the inclement weather and came back with a sack full of otter images. The longer daylight hours definitely paid off and I was at the loch-side from 5am right through to 10pm.

This is one of my favs from the trip. I've just finished the edit and was most pleased to finally get a couple of otters together in the sunshine and with blue water (these factors rarely coincide!)

I started out using a 300mm F/2.8 with a 1.4x converter, but with mostly white waters, I found I wasn't getting the diffusion that I needed. I swapped it for the 600 f/4. It was a real bugger lugging that thing around for two weeks, but the shallow depth of field worked wonders on the 'not so flattering' backgrounds.

Some of the stalks lasted over 4 hours where I managed to capture otters in various environments with varying behaviours - as I am sure some will agree - otter photography is not for the impulsive, rash or impatient! More details of the trip on my blog. Will post more images on there in a bit. C&C Welcomed!

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
Shutter speed: 1/200th sec
Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure mode: Av
Exposure compensation: +1
Metering mode: Evaluative
ISO: 200
Lens: 600mm
AF mode: AI Servo AF
White balance: Color temp=4600K
Beanbag and a very smelly camo jacket, urgh!

WOW!!! Amazing shot.

Edwin Kats

Super shot Elliott

Cracking shot Elliot, lovely pose and placement in the frame. It looks a little bit light on my screen but that could just be the monitor.
Robert

A stunning shot'

Hi Elliot
Looks a little light on my gear to but no big deal . Great pose of the two animals.
Good stuff.
JR

Very nice Elliot , great to get both the mother and cub in the same shot , lovely setting as well , it a little bright on my laptop too , very envious.


Andy...

Lovely image Elliott - love the eyeline of both otters, DoF is about as perfect as you could wish for and the calm sea has made a great smooth BG

Like John, it's a tiny tad light on my monitor but the more I look at the image the less I notice the lightness, so perhaps it needs to be this light

Glorious shot sir

Thanks for the feedback on the brightness. Have to agree, looking at it again. This was the in-camera exposure so have dropped it 1/3rd stop in Lightroom. Looks more a bit more punchy now. The funny thing is, I so rarely photograph otters in sunlight, I've never had to darken an image! (even after 3 years and 2 trips per year!)

I agree about being bright, but that is still a very nice image, i'm most jealous.

Super shot with very nice colours!!

Whats the link to you blog? Can't seem to find it...

grtz,
Sam

Hi Sam. There is a link from my home page (top right of screen) or click here

Haha my fault

Looks superb!!!

Top shot.

A great image. I'm glad you resisted the temptation to fill the frame - this is "spot on" as is.

Four hours for a stalk! I think I'd have moved on way before then to find something easier.

I like the framing here and having the pair of them gives it a touch extra.

Cheers,
John

Cheers John. 4 hours was with a wary dog otter which was always on the move. I always make it a rule that when you find an otter, you stick with it, because you may not find another. I don't mind the time taken. Over the 4 hours I learned a hell of a lot!

Hi Elliott,

This is stunning! I really like your style! Beautiful image well worth the effort!