Posted by Nick Mckeown on December 1, 2012 at 11:45 AM
D7000 300mm f4 + TC14E ISO 500 1/125s at f6.3 monopod
Out looking for otters, well a mother with two cubs to be precise, when I thought I saw a cub swimming back to shore as a brief glimpse. Made my way carefully to the spot but no sign of the cub so I thought I would sit quietly in case it was in the rocks nearby. Up pops the mink and stares at me for quite a while as mink do, quite unnerving! This was my otter cub! Followed it for a while and got some shots of it in the seaweed. These coastal mink behave just like smaller versions of the otter and are probably mistaken for them quite regularly and love them or hate them they are here to stay. They are living cheek by jowl with the otters so are not a threat to them at least. All C+C warmly welcomed. Thanks for stopping by.
Nick.
Posted by John Robinson on December 1, 2012 at 11:57 AM
One animal I have,nt got a decent pic of. Grrrr.This is great! Thought of a vertical ? others will have their own views but I reckon it cries out for it.
I had one in a pen once and it ate its way out through heavy guage chicken Wyre ! They may not hurt the otters biut they do plenty of other stuff
Good stuff,
JR
Posted by Nick Mckeown on December 1, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Something like this JR?
Nick.
Posted by Neil Burton on December 1, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Hard as nails, got to respect natures designs. Nice shot, vertical is nice but too tight, so I am going for the first.
Posted by Andy Astbury on December 1, 2012 at 12:37 PM
I'd have preferred a little more space to the left on the first post Nick.
Way too fast for me these little tikes are, so hats' off to you Nick for getting such a detailed close shot
Posted by Nick Mckeown on December 1, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Thanks for the comments folks. I have some more space on the image so will play about with it for the vertical. I have come across mink a few times and they always stop and stare at you although this one did allow a close approach. Its funny I tried the squeak trick with it and it paid no attention but when I sniffed (have a cold and a runny nose!) it became very alert..odd! What with otters, mink and pine marten any shore birds have a pretty tough time here on the scottish west coast.
Nick.
Posted by David Sewell on December 1, 2012 at 2:21 PM
I'm no fan of mink, but this is a great capture of one.
David
Posted by Phil Ellard on December 1, 2012 at 3:25 PM
Hmmm didn't know they lived up there like otters, cracking shot of a species of questionable character...
Posted by Bob Johnson on December 2, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Cracking shot Nick
Not sure about the Q character as they just do the natural thing and I do believe it was man that let them out of the box
Nick you have got some super detail and spot on sharp.
Keith.
Posted by John Robinson on December 2, 2012 at 6:07 PM
Like the portrait one myself but each to his own.
JR
Posted by Nick Mckeown on December 3, 2012 at 3:25 AM
Thanks for the comments folks. I have played around with the original and taken on board the comments. I shall post a vertical another day JR. With Bob about its reputation. The grey squirrel has done more damage but is regarded as cute by most and fed in parks and gardens (I know I've done it myself!). It cannot help its instincts and it is amazing to see how they have adapted to a coastal existence. They swim, dive and feed like miniature otters.
Nick.
Posted by Andy Shepherd on December 5, 2012 at 11:30 AM
The first one for me, Nick. I have spent many an hour trying to photograph one of these, and regardless of what people might think of them they are a truly beautiful looking creature. Very envious to say the least.
Andy...
Posted by Ian Haskell on December 6, 2012 at 4:23 PM
Discussion
14 repliesOut looking for otters, well a mother with two cubs to be precise, when I thought I saw a cub swimming back to shore as a brief glimpse. Made my way carefully to the spot but no sign of the cub so I thought I would sit quietly in case it was in the rocks nearby. Up pops the mink and stares at me for quite a while as mink do, quite unnerving! This was my otter cub! Followed it for a while and got some shots of it in the seaweed. These coastal mink behave just like smaller versions of the otter and are probably mistaken for them quite regularly and love them or hate them they are here to stay. They are living cheek by jowl with the otters so are not a threat to them at least. All C+C warmly welcomed. Thanks for stopping by.
Nick.
I had one in a pen once and it ate its way out through heavy guage chicken Wyre ! They may not hurt the otters biut they do plenty of other stuff
Good stuff,
JR
Nick.
Way too fast for me these little tikes are, so hats' off to you Nick for getting such a detailed close shot
Not a big fan of mink but they can look cute.
Ian
Nick.
David
Not sure about the Q character as they just do the natural thing and I do believe it was man that let them out of the box
Bob
Keith.
JR
Nick.
The first one for me, Nick. I have spent many an hour trying to photograph one of these, and regardless of what people might think of them they are a truly beautiful looking creature. Very envious to say the least.
Andy...
Ian