Otter Pup
A river otter pup at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary
A river otter pup at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary
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Sep, 2016Views
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Awards
People's Choice in Water and animals Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
Top Choice
All Star
Absolute Masterpiece
Genius
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo at the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. Last fall, we had three otter families visiting the marsh to feed, including a mother with two pups that would scour the shallows of the western pond for fish and crustaceans almost every afternoon. As they did their rounds, occasionally one of the young would take interest in me while I sat on the shore and swim in for a closer look.Time
This was taken in the late afternoon. Otters feed frequently, but the warm and dry September made for poor midday shooting conditions, so I would set up by their pond during the mid-afternoon and wait for them to come out and forage.Lighting
The otters had a fairly predictable feeding pattern so I would stake out the western side of the pond where I could count on afternoon light from the southwest.Equipment
This was taken with a Nikon D500 and Sigma 300-800mm zoom, handheld.Inspiration
I absolutely adore otters, and relish any chance I get to observe and document them. Since this pup and its family would regularly show up in the same spot, I made a point of visiting them whenever I could to film and photograph the young ones growing up.Editing
I made basic color balance and contrast curve adjustments and cropped the image for composition.In my camera bag
For birds and small wildlife, I carry a Sigma 300-800mm zoom and Nikon D500 on a shoulder strap. While exploring the forest floor, I take a Tamron 15-30mm zoom and a Tokina 90mm macro lens.Feedback
Wild otters tend to get spooked by people standing and moving, and don't like to approach large, bulky tripods. I've had my closest otter encounters while silently sitting on the shore next to ponds and tidal sloughs where I had found their scats, tracks and slides. When I've had to film from a tripod, using a drape-over cloth blind made the otters a bit more comfortable, although they would not linger near the camera.
