The cute and cuddly otter

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited January 20, 2008 in Wildlife
NOT!!!!

Hi Y'all,

I've been going to the Viera Wetlands for about five years now and up to recently I've had a decent view of our otters around three times. I never saw them eating until last week when I came upon one chowing down. He was completely backlit but I took a bunch of shots because I felt I would never see it again. Here's one of the shots at ISO 3200. I really wished I could have shot it with decent lighting.
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Well on my next two trips to the wetlands I came upon an otter chowing down and in much better light. Here's a few shots of this cute little fella chowing on an unfortunate siren

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Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    Geez...he looks almost evil! naughty.gif

    Can't believe it's been 5 years already.

    Cool! clap.gif
  • ehughesehughes Registered Users Posts: 1,675 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    Very cool Harry, They look pretty cute and cuddly until you see those teeth :)
    Ed

    www.edhughesphoto.com
  • summerzsummerz Registered Users Posts: 494 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    EEK:uhoh , yes they can be moody lol.mwink.gif
    We live at a Fish Hatchery and we get them from time to time, they are also quite clever.
  • schmooschmoo Registered Users Posts: 8,468 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    Eating SEE FOOD!

    I still think it's cute. Especially when he's chewing so hard he's got to close his eyes.
    SmugMug Editor / News Flash!
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  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    rolleyes1.gif Great action chew shots Harry!
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • BigAlBigAl Registered Users Posts: 2,294 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    Does look pretty gross eek7.gif

    Nice pics though, looks good for ISO3200! Well spotted too thumb.gif
    Birds
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  • bkatzbkatz Registered Users Posts: 286 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    Awesome pics as usual Harry - Use the D3?:D
    Cheers,
    Brian
    http://photos.katzclix.com
    blog - http://blog.katzclix.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    Geez...he looks almost evil! naughty.gif

    Can't believe it's been 5 years already.

    Cool! clap.gif

    To a siren the otter is evil incarnate. :grim

    Time is going by way too fast. :rutt
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • PrescottPhotogPrescottPhotog Registered Users Posts: 1,174 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    Harryb wrote:
    NOT!!!!

    Geez Harry, I viewed these just before my dinner was ready. This guy needs some table manners.. like Mom said, never have your picture taken with your mouth full (and wide open). I'm glad there was no audio to hear the crunching and slurping.rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Nice shots even if they did slightly ruin my dinner.clap.gif
    '
    Prescott Photog, Chris - " One Shot, One Still "
    '
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  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 17, 2008
    bkatz wrote:
    Awesome pics as usual Harry - Use the D3?:D

    Thanks and yes these were taken with the D3.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    ehughes wrote:
    Very cool Harry, They look pretty cute and cuddly until you see those teeth :)

    Thanks Ed. This was the first time I got to see those teeth, very impressive.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    Nice series. It's strange not seeing the otters chowing down on some clam or or other crustacean. And thanks for the link on the siren. I never would have known.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • JenGraceJenGrace Registered Users Posts: 1,229 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    Some people I know who work with otters call them ankle biters. Would hate to have anything bitten by those teeth. Awesome series, Harry. (as always)
    Jen

    Gallery of mine...caution, it's under CONSTANT construction! | Photo Journal

    In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. ~Aaron Rose
  • Osprey WhispererOsprey Whisperer Registered Users Posts: 3,803 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    Did you serve it with a nice bottle of white or red? Perhaps better served with Corona? :D Nice set H.
    Mike McCarthy

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    OspreyWhisperer.com
  • ZanottiZanotti Registered Users Posts: 1,411 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    Great shots Harry!

    Notice how creatures always eat things head first? Why?

    You have limited DOF on most of these ( with the head dead on.) Was that intentional?

    Did you shoot him from the car? Now that I have been to Viera I understand the set up so much better.

    I think otters in general are cool.

    Great shots!

    Z
    It is the purpose of life that each of us strives to become actually what he is potentially. We should be obsessed with stretching towards that goal through the world we inhabit.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    Zanotti wrote:
    Great shots Harry!

    Notice how creatures always eat things head first? Why?

    You have limited DOF on most of these ( with the head dead on.) Was that intentional?

    Did you shoot him from the car? Now that I have been to Viera I understand the set up so much better.

    I think otters in general are cool.

    Great shots!

    Z

    Hey Zwave.gif

    The limited DOF was intentional, the only thing of interest was the head and the messy eating process. Most of these were from outside the car. The otter was so intent on eating that it allowed much closer access than it would have normally.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • DsrtVWDsrtVW Registered Users Posts: 1,991 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    Give the guy a napkin
    Makes me glad I am not an eel.Nice shots Harry still using that marginal D3 you just got.
    I am spending the weekend out on the Butte Sink in Northern CA. Otters are on my list of hope to get a shot of.
    Cheers
    Chris K. NANPA Member
    http://kadvantage.smugmug.com/
  • jeff lapointjeff lapoint Registered Users Posts: 1,228 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    Great shots Harry and congrats on the new camera.

    I wouldnt mess with any of the weasel family...especially otters, wolverines, or badgers:eek1

    -j
    www.lapiz007.smugmug.com


  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2008
    summerz wrote:
    EEK:uhoh , yes they can be moody lol.mwink.gif
    We live at a Fish Hatchery and we get them from time to time, they are also quite clever.

    They are something else. They have been much more visible this year than at any other time in the past five years.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2008
    schmoo wrote:
    Eating SEE FOOD!

    I still think it's cute. Especially when he's chewing so hard he's got to close his eyes.

    He really seemed to be enjoying his meal. Salamander lovers would hardly describe his behavior as cute. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2008
    Giphsub wrote:
    rolleyes1.gif Great action chew shots Harry!

    Thanks Mike.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2008
    BigAl wrote:
    Does look pretty gross eek7.gif

    Nice pics though, looks good for ISO3200! Well spotted too thumb.gif

    Definitely gross, not one of those beautiful nature shots.
    The D3 rocks, never thought I would be shooting at ISO 3200.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2008
    PrescottPhotog wrote:
    Geez Harry, I viewed these just before my dinner was ready. This guy needs some table manners.. like Mom said, never have your picture taken with your mouth full (and wide open). I'm glad there was no audio to hear the crunching and slurping.rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Nice shots even if they did slightly ruin my dinner.clap.gif

    Thanks Chris but I don't know. Watching that little fella just made me hungry. :eat
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2008
    Maestro wrote:
    Nice series. It's strange not seeing the otters chowing down on some clam or or other crustacean. And thanks for the link on the siren. I never would have known.

    Thanks Stephen, I first thought it was an eel but a smart gal set me straight on its real ID. I had never heard of them either.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2008
    JenW wrote:
    Some people I know who work with otters call them ankle biters. Would hate to have anything bitten by those teeth. Awesome series, Harry. (as always)

    I wouldn't mess with an otter after seeing those teeth in action.:yikes Thanks Jen.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2008
    Bird Man Photographer wrote:
    Did you serve it with a nice bottle of white or red? Perhaps better served with Corona? :D Nice set H.

    Of course it was served with Corona. Everybody knows that salamander goes with Corona.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2008
    DsrtVW wrote:
    Makes me glad I am not an eel.Nice shots Harry still using that marginal D3 you just got.
    I am spending the weekend out on the Butte Sink in Northern CA. Otters are on my list of hope to get a shot of.
    Cheers

    Thanks and good luck with your otters.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2008
    jeff lapoint wrote:
    Great shots Harry and congrats on the new camera.

    I wouldnt mess with any of the weasel family...especially otters, wolverines, or badgers:eek1

    -j

    Thanks Jeff and I'm keeping my distance from the whole weasel family.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • leaforteleaforte Registered Users Posts: 1,948 Major grins
    edited January 20, 2008
    Let me just say: From now on, if there is even a 'rumor' of eels in the water, I'm outa there!
    Growing with Dgrin



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