Otter Heaven

NorthernFocus

This past weekend we made what has become an annual trip to a place in Prince William Sound that I call otter heaven. There are literally hundreds of northern sea otters. Judging by the ratio of mother/pup pairs they also like this area as a nursury. We had terrible weather with low light conditions the entire time but did manage a few shots.

Foul Weather Friends


This one nervous otter kept ducking under water and popping up behind the other one that was trying to go to sleep.
Save Me!!!


It's not hard to see how the Russians nearly hunted these guys to extinction in the 1800s. They are pretty easy to sneak up on when sleeping.
Blessed Sleep


Nap Time


Sea otters rarely leave the water. They feel safe hauling out on blocks of ice that are floating far from land.

Beached Blonde (note the pup laying behind her)


Icecapades


And my personal favorite of the trip...

Mother and Child


But otter photos are really a secondary purpose for visiting this particular location. Here's the main reason...

Maestro

Love the low angles....I especially like the one where the otter is looking right at you on the small piece of floating ice. I'd much prefer the otters (not to eat of course.) I am not much of a seafood eater.

ScottW

Great shot, love the eye contact!

Ric Grupe

Very nice...thanks for sharing!

Harryb

Excellent set Dan.

korandoke

nice serie

kind regards,
korandoke

PGM

Great set, Dan! I especially like "Icecapades." Best, Pam

NorthernFocus

Thanks for all the comments, folks. The icecapades shot was on the other end of the same chunk of ice as the mom and pup. I think this one may have been last year's pup from the same female. He acted just like a submissive puppy to an older dog and kept trying to get close to the female but she kept baring her teeth at him. Then he went to the other end of the flow and began playing with a piece of ice and rolling around. The icecapades shot was the best eye contact I got from him.

Dennis Kaczor

Very nice series of images.