Otter

Lutra lutra

Hello,

Had an amazing experience today with two urban Otters, full story on the blog, it's too long for here!

Very difficult photography wise as it was very dark, but here's one relaxing after a big meal...

Nikon D300s, Sigma 500mm f4.5
1/80sec @ f6.3 ISO800
-0.3 exp comp
tripod

Slight crop to remove highlight at edge.

C and C most welcome,

Thanks for looking!

A great read, glad to see otters taking over but should they start taking pets it will end in tears. You are so very lucky to have them near and accessible and not afraid of attention. Jealous. Great shots too.

Dawn urban Otters?something new for for me certainly made a very good shot for you.
Keith

Great story and shots Dawn. Not good for otters I fear. Your points about the photographers are on the nail. One of the reasons I have lost a lot of interest.
Cheers
JR

Dawn

A first class effort with quality images resulting a pleasure to view as indeed is the Blog to read.

Thanks folks, much appreciated! For your interest, here's a video I took on the D300s, never really tried this out before, but was surprised by the quality: http://youtu.be/tfRgLNh9Deo

John, I know exactly how you feel, I came away inspired from having watched wild otters, but disheartened by all the other photographers. Really mixed feelings about this, and a little concern for the safety of the otters.

Neil, the majority of locals are really proud of having these creatures 'in their back yard', but it would only take one individual to take a dislike to them. They have already been blamed for clearing out two ponds. Why can't we learn to live with our wildlife?

Thanks again for your comments!

Dawn your blog makes very interesting reading and I have enjoyed doing that,must say I do agree with you regarding some photographers we have had a situation with a local site which I have used for about the last 50 years or so until the Shot Eared Owls came on the scene since then you are lucky to find a vacant parking space after watching two so called wildlife photographers walking up astrip of cover to try to flush the Owls I do not go there anymore and hearing stories of some throwing snowballs to get flight shots This site has been under a 10 year set aside which is about to run out and of course people are concerned but I do wonder if it's the Owls there concerned about or there pictures.Sorry if this comes over as a rant from a sorry old naturalist and I do hope it works out well for your Otters. Keith

Great story and shots, Dawn. I really enjoyed reading your blog. What a great experience.

The behaviour of other photographers rears its ugly head again. It is upsetting,but at least it does not appear to be affecting the otters - at least for now. Great picture, Dawn.

David

Thanks again folks, much appreciated. I have been thinking about this and I do wonder if it's partly human nature. These issues only seem to occur when you get groups of people together - all trying to out-do each other, each trying to get the closest, get the best angle, get the best shot. The shot becomes more important than anything else. Individually, these people are probably much more respectful, but in a mob all social rules and etiquette seems to go out the window. I had already picked my spot and set up knowing the otters would come round a bend in the river, when they appeared, the photographer following them decided I had a good position, and ended up literally shooting over my shoulder. That's rude in a social sense, let alone a photography sense - you don't read the paper over someone's shoulder!

Anyway, all we can all do is try to set a good example and educate people. I'm pleased to see so many people interested in wildlife, and for many I'm sure it was an amazing experience, this is all good for wildlife conservation - it needs the support of these people. The otter's, I'm sure, will vote with their feet if they are disturbed too much.

Thanks again all.

I'm wary of otters, especially as I went to a wildlife sanctuary to film some non native otters once, and on thinking "wow this is great close up action" one ran in and bit the lense shroud and bit a big chunk out of it :(

Nice shot though.

A lovely shot, really pleasing, ive never even seen a wild otter

An excellent image. At least now people only shoot them with cameras, hopefully.

Very nice Dawn, will see one of these one day!

Oscar

Excellent image Dawn. The otter looks relaxed and I assume has become accustomed to humans, their smell and appearance which is a little worrying as there is always someone willing to harm them. The snapping photographers will possibly become a nuisance eventually but I have watched otters relaxing within metres of a busy ferry so they certainly can accept human activity.

Nick.