As I drove up to Ewing Bottoms today, I wondered if I would catch any Cranes there today. As I had suspected the Sandhill Cranes had flown further south after the Polar Vortex hit earlier in the week. I couldn't imagine how they would make it through -15 wind chill Monday night. I did see some Cranes flying around and read earlier in a post from ebird that there are still Cranes at Mustatatuck in the sanctuary area of the refuge. They return each night to roost and during the day hang out in farm fields south and west of Seymour.
After leaving the bottoms, I drove to Mustatatuck to check out the waterfowl. Not much happening as most of the lakes and ponds and swamps were almost totally frozen. Even though it was 50 degrees today, the weather hasn't been warm enough to thaw the ice on the water. As I left Myer's Cabin in the back of the refuge, I was driving past Persimmon Pond and turned to look at the pond. When I did I thought I saw something dark slip into the water. So I stopped my car, got out and me and camera trekked over to the edge of the pond. These two Otters were busily eating, diving back in for more food and jumping back out of the water to munch down their catch. They also occasionally took a peek in my direction.
They were absolutely adorable. And boy do they have appetites. I'm glad I don't have to pay their food bill. This is the first time since about 2008 that I had seen these guys. The last time I saw them they were much young and slipping and sliding all over the ice in one of the main swamps. I hope it is that long before I see them again. ENJOY!