Annual Attempt at Sea Otters

[NorthernFocus]

On our first boating trip every season we visit the same bay/fjord to catch shrimp. It is also consistently the best location for photographing sea otters. The weather was horrible this year and we didn't spend as much time there as we typically do. But I still managed a shot or two.

Nikon D810, 200-500mm@500mm, handheld from kayak

Best viewed in the light box.

1) Mom and pup in nearly perfect water conditions. And IMO the water makes/breaks shots of otters. The color here is natural. Saturation was not cranked up in post. The brilliant blue is a result of ultra fine dust particles in the water. This is called "glacial bloom".



2) Otters just being otters. The darker of the two is a youngster, presumably the near grown pup of the other which was protectively holding it.

[billtils]

Like the way the colour and stillness of the water sets these off, and especially like the first because of the way it has been cropped.

[ST1]

Great captures Dan, thanks for sharing them.

[Shadowman]

Nice shots.

[Chris]

Wonerful creatures

[Wavelength]

They too have expressions... great!!!

[Rita]

Nice start to the season.

[Manfred M]

Calm seas based on the images = horrible weather?

I must be missing something...

Two great images, by the way.

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you folks enjoyed the shots. Thanks for the comments.

Calm seas based on the images = horrible weather?

I must be missing something...

Temps 5-10C and raining 20 hours a day. And after a night of 50-60kph wind we sneaked home during a 12 hour window before another 48 hours of forecast gale force wind and rain. The shots were taken in one of the brief respites from rain. But we stocked the freezer with shrimp/prawns.

[JBW]

gorgeous. I used to own a 26' North Sea motorboat that did all of 6 1/2 knots. Sneaking home can be interesting.

[Dave A]

Your images had me smiling.

Dave

[Ziggy]

Most excellent.

[lovelife65]

Awesome. Very well done.

[FootLoose]

Great images, Dan. I think Greenpeace of WWF would use these in their campaigns.

[mugge]

Just my two cents worth. Just marvelous.
Cheers Ole

[wilgk]

Lovely indeed!

Having just watched the Frozen Planet tonight...again #natureshowtragic

[Donald]

Superb Dan. Having photographed otters last year, I know how difficult they can be. However, these two seem to like being photographed.

[skitterbug]

Nikon D810, 200-500mm@500mm, handheld from kayak

Hi Dan - The fact that you hand held your equipment while in a kayak and have such clear crisp shots impresses me! Beautiful creatures and well captured!

[NorthernFocus]

Glad you all enjoyed the photos. Thanks for taking time to comment.

...Having photographed otters last year, I know how difficult they can be. However, these two seem to like being photographed.

Donald, maybe one in ten or so are pretty cooperative, sometime even seemingly inquisitive. I'm fortunate enough to see them in enough numbers that even at that ratio I tend to get a few good opportunities every year.

...The fact that you hand held your equipment while in a kayak and have such clear crisp shots impresses me!...

Modern technology largely overcomes what would have historically been considered poor technique. I don't have particularly steady hands much less on a moving platform. VR(IS for Canon folks) not only helps reduce/eliminate motion blur but also makes it much easier to stay on target. These were shot at 1/320s which is less than half what would have historically been considered minimum ss, i.e.1/FL/EFL or 1/750 in this case.