European Otter
Superb Otter Photography with Andy Howard on the Isle of Mull
We had just taken some great photos of mum and cub patrolling the shore, Andy advised to leave them be and trust to ‘otter karma.’
Both Alan and I thought that would be it for the day when we all got in Andy’s FWD when Andy spotted another otter just off fishing off shore.
He drove just past and pulled into some trees where we were just far enough away. We got all our kit together and quietly walked on opposite side of the single track road from where the otter was diving. He said he was a young cub and was crabbing.
When it dived we moved in crouching down and using trees and bushes as cover at first and then got as far as a little burn with a bank. I knelt in the water to keep low and inconspicuous.
The otter was diving and catching small stuff that he could eat out in the water.
Andy pulled some grass and rushes as they were blocking our view. Soon after Andy said to me do you want to have ago at getting a in closer? I said lets go for it.
He told me which rock to aim for and I rushed for it when the otter dived and nearly fell over. He said don’t panic, just do it in stages. I moved down to the rock put my bean bag on it and lay on my side. The otter came closer and started eating his catch on a rock. I managed to get some great pics before the otter was unceremoniously knocked off by a wave.
Andy ushered me further forward. I scurried down to the next set of rocks which were only a few feet away, when the otter next dived, and got my bean bag and lens in position.
It was raining and blowing on-shore. Andy realising my lens was at risk of getting wet and fearing I may loose a once in a lifetime shot ‘quietly’ shouted how’s your lens, I replied in muffled tones not wishing for my presence to be given away ‘ok, I think’. Not being quite sure I checked the front and sure enough somehow the rain had got on to the lens despite the very deep hood on my Canon 500. Andy had earlier told us to take a lens cloth with us which fortunately I had heeded so was able to wipe my lens clean.
The otter was catching and eating smaller prey in the sea, I got the odd shot and my lens was wet again. I dried it and then I saw the otter coming ashore to eat a bigger catch. He was only 5m away. I could not believe my luck, however I did not want to let Andy down and miss the shot however the young otter was so close I could not find it in the viewfinder. Fortunately I didn’t freeze and found it in the viewfinder. The focus locked on, and I blasted away at 10 fps. Because of the strong on shore wind which took my smell and shutter sound away from the otter he was completely unaware of my presence.
Otter karma was alive and well! As Andy said I’d got some platinum shots and I certainly had a platinum experience.
Read MoreWe had just taken some great photos of mum and cub patrolling the shore, Andy advised to leave them be and trust to ‘otter karma.’
Both Alan and I thought that would be it for the day when we all got in Andy’s FWD when Andy spotted another otter just off fishing off shore.
He drove just past and pulled into some trees where we were just far enough away. We got all our kit together and quietly walked on opposite side of the single track road from where the otter was diving. He said he was a young cub and was crabbing.
When it dived we moved in crouching down and using trees and bushes as cover at first and then got as far as a little burn with a bank. I knelt in the water to keep low and inconspicuous.
The otter was diving and catching small stuff that he could eat out in the water.
Andy pulled some grass and rushes as they were blocking our view. Soon after Andy said to me do you want to have ago at getting a in closer? I said lets go for it.
He told me which rock to aim for and I rushed for it when the otter dived and nearly fell over. He said don’t panic, just do it in stages. I moved down to the rock put my bean bag on it and lay on my side. The otter came closer and started eating his catch on a rock. I managed to get some great pics before the otter was unceremoniously knocked off by a wave.
Andy ushered me further forward. I scurried down to the next set of rocks which were only a few feet away, when the otter next dived, and got my bean bag and lens in position.
It was raining and blowing on-shore. Andy realising my lens was at risk of getting wet and fearing I may loose a once in a lifetime shot ‘quietly’ shouted how’s your lens, I replied in muffled tones not wishing for my presence to be given away ‘ok, I think’. Not being quite sure I checked the front and sure enough somehow the rain had got on to the lens despite the very deep hood on my Canon 500. Andy had earlier told us to take a lens cloth with us which fortunately I had heeded so was able to wipe my lens clean.
The otter was catching and eating smaller prey in the sea, I got the odd shot and my lens was wet again. I dried it and then I saw the otter coming ashore to eat a bigger catch. He was only 5m away. I could not believe my luck, however I did not want to let Andy down and miss the shot however the young otter was so close I could not find it in the viewfinder. Fortunately I didn’t freeze and found it in the viewfinder. The focus locked on, and I blasted away at 10 fps. Because of the strong on shore wind which took my smell and shutter sound away from the otter he was completely unaware of my presence.
Otter karma was alive and well! As Andy said I’d got some platinum shots and I certainly had a platinum experience.
