A Close Encounter -Otter

Just returned from a week on the magical island of Mull,where it never stopped raining,it was my first visit and it is a beautiful island.I had lay in weight in several place's and the otter's where not playing,three had been run over I was told by a local wildlife expert who showed me around this beautiful island.So the story behind this photo is I'd had a few sighting's myself early morning and midday and I got into place here and waited in the pouring rain,feet away from the sea,waited, and at around 4.30pm I saw this flash of white to my front and it was this male otter swimmimg towards me with a fish as big as him,as he dived I moved over wet rocks,carring my 600 and trying to anticipating where he would come ashore,I'd freeze as he surfaced,then he dived,I moved again,until he came ashore right alongside of me!!,the wind was blowing my scent away so I knew he could'nt smell me,and I lay there in the pouring rain watching this beautiful animal I had spent the last 4 days trying to find eating this fish as though his life depended on it.I could not move and get a more 'fuller' image as he would have gone,he allowed me to take a few photo's then he was gone as quick as he arrived as I watched feet away and it was one of those moment's that I feel I am privileged to have witnessed and one I will never forget.


Tech;
Nikon D300
Nikon F4VR600
F5.6,1/100
iso 400,+0.3ev
Matix
PP-CS3,Full Frame,No Crop

Thanks For Looking

It clearly took a lot of fieldwork to get this result Craig, but clearly it was worth it. A moment you will never forget.

David

Can only agree with David... a magical moment and a great image to boot....

Fabulous shot. I can almost hearing him crunching. Do you know what species the fish is?
Worth the effort to get this frame filling beauty

What dedication, what a fantastic reward and experience, it's why we do it.
nice one

Tim

Sounds like you had a fantastic time despite the weather! Superb image! Well worth the effort and patience!

Fantastic Craig
glad you got him, well worth the hours of waiting. I know what you mean one you push that shutter button they don't hang about for long!

All the Best

Calum

Good capture Craig, a fine moment captured.

Des

BIF fantastic, Craig. Excellent story with an image worth all your efforts. Great texture in the wet fur and I love the intense look in its eye. I hope to see some more from your trip. Well done indeed.

Superb Craig, you know why

An excellent image Craig. Know the feelings and your experiences..
I dont know about you but stalking Otter on Mull is a tricky business.
True to form I went arse over tip this May, thankfully and as a lady put it "Your a true pro" as instinctifely I held my 600 and body aloft as I went down. Never the less it hurt.
Seaweed on rock dont go very well.

Major

Major.

Hello Craig.

Its a stunnung image and one I would be well pleased with.

Thank you all for your kind comments,Major I know what you mean,I was doing this with no hands too!,len's in one hand and a large beanbag in the other,and I slipped many times but always put my len's in the air

Excellent shot Craig, very envious

Andy...

Brilliant work Craig and very well achieved.. Hard work paid off by the bag loads..

Brett

A moment to savour, with an excellent shot as well. Very well done.

Carl