Posted by Pete Walkden on June 21, 2010 at 7:27 AM
Braving the midges and the discomfort of lying on rocks by the side of the loch, these otters were a joy to observe and photo.
We'd spotted them swimming towards us, and I opted to set up right by the water and hope. Paid off, and the pair clambered out maybe a dozen yards in front of me.
Was tricky to get any sort of shutter speed and the pics required a bit of pp-ing to get the best out of them, but I'm pleased with the result. Just wish Mull wasn't so far away!
Gear and settings: Canon EOS 50D, 700mm, 1/320s, F/5.6, ISO1000, Aperture priority, Pattern Metering, -2/3EV, Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:25 pm
Image has been cropped to get it within the 720 pixel limit on here, but the originals aren't far off being full frame.
Posted by David Sewell on June 21, 2010 at 12:34 PM
I'd give my eye teeth just to see this so close, let alone take any pictures of it. I do find the pale background, presumably water, a bit distracting and wonder if it would be better cloned out.
Works just fine for me - the light water gives it a nice 'open' feel.
Given the cracking otter pics we're seeing here from Mull the casual viewer might think all you need to do is turn up on Mull and take your pick of dancing otters, and head off to the pub. Dream on suckers!
Having spent 18 months on Mull trying to film them I can assure you its bl**dy hard work just trying to locate some, and weather and midges only adds to the fun.
Cracking shot of a species I doubt I will ever photograph. I have to say it would in my opinion been so much better with just the one animal in. Good stuff anyway.
Sorry
JohnR
Posted by Pete Walkden on June 23, 2010 at 7:26 AM
Thanks for the replies - glad you like it. I have other shots (as you'd expect) with just one of the pair on, and will post when I'm next permitted to do so on here. All the shots can be viewed from my Wildlife Gallery online anyway.
I have to say that I would like to see more images with more than one subject in, so I like this one very much, although I have to agree that the bg is a little distracting. Any crits from me are laced with a big portion of envy though. eric
Discussion
8 repliesWe'd spotted them swimming towards us, and I opted to set up right by the water and hope. Paid off, and the pair clambered out maybe a dozen yards in front of me.
Was tricky to get any sort of shutter speed and the pics required a bit of pp-ing to get the best out of them, but I'm pleased with the result. Just wish Mull wasn't so far away!
Gear and settings: Canon EOS 50D, 700mm, 1/320s, F/5.6, ISO1000, Aperture priority, Pattern Metering, -2/3EV, Fri Jun 04, 2010 8:25 pm
Image has been cropped to get it within the 720 pixel limit on here, but the originals aren't far off being full frame.
David
Works just fine for me - the light water gives it a nice 'open' feel.
Given the cracking otter pics we're seeing here from Mull the casual viewer might think all you need to do is turn up on Mull and take your pick of dancing otters, and head off to the pub. Dream on suckers!
Having spent 18 months on Mull trying to film them I can assure you its bl**dy hard work just trying to locate some, and weather and midges only adds to the fun.
Keep them coming!
I agree with David that the brightest area at the top could do with darkening down a touch.
Cheers
Austin
Sorry
JohnR