I knew eventually I would have an opportunity to photograph the River Otters at Mustatatuck. I just wasn't expecting it to be in the dead of Winter. If you know there are Otters about and it is a frigid cold day with ice covered ponds look for clumps of ice on top of the frozen pond and you just might see an Otter. They carve out holes so they can dive and hunt for food.
River Otters spend most of their time on land mainly to keep their fur from getting waterlogged and only take to the water to hunt or travel.
They eat fish, but will also eat small mammals. I have no idea what is alive in the bottom of Persimmon Pond, but they would dive down into the frigid water and disappear for a minute or two and then their heads would pop back up.
Then they jump up on the ice and lay there eating whatever food they've captured. Sometimes they sit and peer out and occasionally I would see one checking me out with his head arched up looking at me like the one in this last photo. He gradually moved down away from where I was standing, too far to get any decent photos, but the other Otter stayed pretty much where I originally found him and his hole in the frozen pond.
On another topic, we received several inches of snow yesterday, and low and behold, we have more on the way tonight. It has been quite cold and very snowy this Winter. I think the meterologists are saying they haven't seen a Winter like this in years. And I have to agree. Brrrrr. ENJOY!
River Otters spend most of their time on land mainly to keep their fur from getting waterlogged and only take to the water to hunt or travel.
They eat fish, but will also eat small mammals. I have no idea what is alive in the bottom of Persimmon Pond, but they would dive down into the frigid water and disappear for a minute or two and then their heads would pop back up.
Then they jump up on the ice and lay there eating whatever food they've captured. Sometimes they sit and peer out and occasionally I would see one checking me out with his head arched up looking at me like the one in this last photo. He gradually moved down away from where I was standing, too far to get any decent photos, but the other Otter stayed pretty much where I originally found him and his hole in the frozen pond.
On another topic, we received several inches of snow yesterday, and low and behold, we have more on the way tonight. It has been quite cold and very snowy this Winter. I think the meterologists are saying they haven't seen a Winter like this in years. And I have to agree. Brrrrr. ENJOY!
He is lovely, and super photos, showing him so clearly ,...with the ice, wonder how they find food down there? Cheers from Jean
ReplyDeleteThanks Jean. I wonder that myself.
Deletefantastic to see and wonderfully crisp photos. You talk about the COLD whereas here is the HEAT. What happened to your global 'warming' then?
ReplyDeleteI just love watching otters, Carol. I've seen them in the wild a few times and have also stood for long periods watching their antics at aquariums. I think I may have inadvertently sent you some of our Arctic blast! I must say though, I'm enjoying a warmer respite in Denver.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're enjoying the warmer weather in Denver. You are up on that mountain and I am sure a change does you good. I loved watching the otters last Sunday. So cute. Carol
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