This handsome otter was swimming around our log pond at the mill in search of an afternoon snack.
This otter and the rest of his clan are regulars around the mill site. The pond where I took these pictures is smack in the middle of the entire complex. They visit the log ponds, canals, and the river depending on what is on the menu. We have a floating platform that suspends a water intake into the pond, but the otters seem to think it was put there for their personal sun basking pleasures. One of my crew members insists that it is their private restroom, while he complains about all the “otter poop!” Those are my words, not his.
On the menu today, fish!
Up periscope.
As he swam around the pond the lighting was constantly changing. He turned out to be a very curious and co-operative subject.
Otter on golden pond.
The old log pond….otter pond.
THE FORESTER ARTIST 
Great shots!
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Thank you Elena.
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What a treat to have otters around, especially where you can readily see them. I was surprised to find river otters living here on the ocean beaches. Very mobile, I see them only occasionally as we do our mutual fishing about in the tide pool environs.
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That is very cool. They do get around. On rare occasions they are seen moving from one pond to another, but they are very stealthy. Once they are in the pond, they act like they own it.
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We usually surprise each other, coming around the rocks from opposite directions. While I attempt to maintain balance and focus the camera on sea-weedy rocks, they simply slip beneath the waves and are gone… chuckle…
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The photo of opportunity! I’m all about that. The darn critters are quick, but once and awhile I get the money shot.
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I once spent a day at an otter sanctuary in Devon, England watching these delightful creatures – both Indian and English otters. Apparently the Indian otters are much better parents but it was wonderful to watch `Dad` trying to catch a nap after lunch with the kids insisting on climbing all over him. Also the young otters were having a marvellous time playing with a feather they had stolen from a peacock`s tail – it looked very sad by the time they had finished with it!
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What a marvelous memory. These otters also exhibit a lot of personality. They seem to enjoy watching me as much as I do them.
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Glad to see he found a fish and didn’t go hungry 🙂
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Yes, they seem to be very talented fishers.
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I would love to see them – I’ll keep looking. The second photo it looks like there’s a fish in the otter’s mouth – yes?
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Yes, he swam around with it for quite some time berfore eating it. I think he was showing off.
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irresistible thought – but maybe there’s some benefit to waiting a minute or two before downing that morsel, who knows? You can do the research!
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I still think it was the otter version of bragging.
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Great photos Tim
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Thanks Andrew.
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I think if is a good thing that the otter/s visit th eliog pond. Keep thing from being totally drab.
Nice shots of the otter.
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Thanks Yvonne. It is always a joy when they show up here. Although, they are usually in pairs. I will have to keep an eye out for the other. We do get a lot of ducks, geese and egrets visiting so it isn’t too drab when the otters aren’t around.
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I love the fact that the otters like the pond at the mill. It sort of shows that there can be integration of wildlife and industry, at least somewhat. Did they make that cool otter sound? Fha fhafha….
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It never ceases to amaze me how much wildlife there is around the mill. I have a ton of pictures that I will be posting. Unfortunately, I have never heard the otters go “fha”, but I will be listening.
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My best and almost only memory of otters is once when I was camping I was washing in the river and a group of curious river otters were all around, going fha fha fha, they stayed for quite a long time…. Or maybe time is just suspended at those moments….
It’s so positive those mills and wildlife coincide!
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Indeed.
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I LOVE otters! So playful and fun to watch!!!
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They are a kick!
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Superb clear pictures love this post
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Thank you so much.
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So cute! Where has Mary been?
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She has been super busy on a big project with an impending deadline. All will be revealed soon.
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🙂
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“Up periscope” … love that caption
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Thanks!
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Impressive pics. It seems like these critters would be hard to photograph – being out there in the water and constantly moving.
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Thanks Gabriel. They can be quite curious, so he gave me a lot of opportunity. It is true, that most of the picures were a bit blurry. I just had to take a lot of shots.
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In the third photo that otter is looking like you’re trespassing on its territory.
What neat shots!! Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you Joanna. He definitely kept a sharp eye on me the whole time. Thanks for visiting.
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Those are such lovely otter shots … the water movements and play of light on the gliding the water movements are really nice .
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Thank you Poppy.
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What fun to be able to see them often. We have otters here in Indiana but not close to us. What we do have in our lake and creek are mink! I never knew they were around until we saw them on the road back to the house. It is always a special thing.
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That’s awesome, I’ve never seen a wild mink. In the high country we have pine martens and fishers, but no mink. We do have a lot of otters and I do see them fairly often.
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We call these sightings a gift from Nature – it’s such a privelege to see a wild creature enjoying itself and just enjoying the moment. Lovely photos.
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I know what you mean. The otter are joyful to watch!
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Otters! You have otters! Beautiful pictures 🙂
I am so happy I found your blog (you liked one of my posts) Thank you
Turtle Hugs
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Yes, we are rich with otters here. They live around our home and at my work. We have our share of turtles too.
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