Alaskan crab dinner

[NorthernFocus]

While sitting in the cockpit and shooting the guillemot BIFs the other day, this guy came cruising by crunching on a crab. Not the best water conditions but hey, it was a freebie View in light box.

D7100, 80-400 AF-S
f/5.6 @ 400 mm, 1/1600, ISO 800 (settings for BIF shooting)

[deetheturk]

Great capture Dan!

[FootLoose]

Nice capture, Dan. When I see photos of animals just cruising along like that, munching on a delicacy, I think what a great life they have.

[John 2]

Nice capture Dan (both you and the Sea Otter).

[Marie Hass]

I am impressed.

this guy came cruising by crunching on a crab. Not the best water conditions but hey, it was a freebie

I think you are too modest, Dan. You need to say, "Hey!!!! Look here!!!! I took this myself!!!!"

I wish I had some exotic wildlife just happen by.

Marie

[bnnrcn]

Have you noticed his/her tummy ? He/she really seems to be enjoying this open buffet cruise Very nice image, thanks for sharing Dan.

[Shadowman]

Nice capture.

[Mike Buckley]

I've never seen an otter holding anything, much less eating. Fascinating!

[AndrewMcD]

Great image! I quite like the way the water looks and of course to capture that unique event with the otter made for a terrific image.
Andrew

[Downrigger]

Another nice one, Dan - you take consistently great advantage of your great location's offerings.

[Suzan J]

I really enjoy viewing your wildlife shots, Dan. Especially when they are doing something interesting like munching on a fresh crab dinner. The blue/grey water background is quite a pleasing colour.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for all the comments, guys. Glad you enjoyed the image. This is one of the best opportunities I've had to shoot one eating. They eat the crab shell and all. They start by pulling off the legs and eating them. If it is nice and quiet, as it was that evening, you can hear them crunching from quite a ways. Sound carries well over water. They are also quite tidy and after consuming each leg they will roll over to rinse any bits from their chest before continuing eating.

Mike, you should see them crack open harder things like cockles or clams. They will bring up a rock from the bottom, lay it on their belly, then pound the mollusk on the rock to crack it open. That's the shot I hope for. Years ago I got some poor shots of one eating an octopus. Only once in all of our time on the water we saw one eating a salmon.

[Brownbear]

Beautiful capture! Very interesting little guys and so cute. Thank you for always sharing bits about their behaviour.

[BrianA61]

Great shots with the BIF and this one. I'm going on a 10 day rail/bus vacation in Alaska in about 3 weeks. These shots only whetted my appetite. I have a sneaky suspicion that my camera will get quite a workout and it won't be my last trip to Alaska. Envious of you is an understatement.

[NorthernFocus]

...Envious of you is an understatement.

There are two sides to every story. Winters are loooong

[Bobobird]

Interesting catch (for both you and that creature).

[BrianA61]

There are two sides to every story. Winters are loooong

LOL. Everything comes with a price.....no matter where you go or live. It's all in how you deal with it. I don't do THAT kind of cold - AT ALL.

[Otavio]

Great capture, Dan. A wonderful and unique moment, recorded forever! Cheers,