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Not having the luxury of the open skies so associated with the otters around the Scottish coast it is a nearly impossible task getting any decent pictures of our river otters. Early morning light, thick cover, overhanging trees and a notoriously shy subject all conspire against the photographer. So to have a morning that I had today is an absolute dream. Yes the light was low, the cover was dense and the trees invasive . . . but joy of joys, cooperative otters ! Yes, two. I had sat in the car waiting for the light and decided to get out to start setting up. I looked over the low wall bounding the sream and there in front of me was an otter on the opposite bank ! Didn't even have the camera out of the bag. Backed discreetly out of sight, grabbed the only lens I posess that boasts IS and crawled back to the wall. Still there and having a scratch. That was the start of a 90 min session watching not one but two otters showing up and down the stream. Not often in photographic positions but hey what the heck . . just sheer enjoyment.
Will post some more later.
1/10 sec F4 iso 1600
105mm
about 60% crop (well, it was the only lens with IS, I couldn't trust myself with a longer non IS lens and figured if I only got one image it could be cropped later)
Posted by John Robinson on January 14, 2012 at 2:02 PM
Well done Robert.- especially with those techs !! crop spot on for me.
We have them around here now but I,m still not getting up that early
John
Posted by Phil Mclean on January 15, 2012 at 5:16 AM
Well done Robert.I'm glad it's all starting to come together and looking really good for a 1/10th sec.
That encounter will live long in the memory and hopefully there'll be many more to come.
Phil. :
Posted by Barry Southon on January 15, 2012 at 7:37 AM
Robert
All the effort well rewarded.
Posted by David Sewell on January 15, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Sounds as though you had a fantastic experience, Robert, and came away with a good shot to remember it by.
David
Posted by Paul Whippey on January 15, 2012 at 5:26 PM
Very nice Robert. I've never seen one in the flesh, even though they are supposed to be around these parts now, especially on the Ewenny river. Bravo!
Posted by Nick Mckeown on January 16, 2012 at 7:06 AM
Superb image and all the more for the difficult circumstances. They are quite common where I am (saw one on Friday morning whilst driving into work sat on a rock by the shore whilst being watched by a Buzzard) so I tend to be quite blase about them but I know how difficult they are to see never mind photograph on the rivers. I would be extremely happy with that image.
Discussion
10 repliesWill post some more later.
1/10 sec F4 iso 1600
105mm
about 60% crop (well, it was the only lens with IS, I couldn't trust myself with a longer non IS lens and figured if I only got one image it could be cropped later)
We have them around here now but I,m still not getting up that early
John
Phil.
That encounter will live long in the memory and hopefully there'll be many more to come.
Phil. :
All the effort well rewarded.
David
Bob
Look forward to seeing more
Nick.