Changing course

It appears the otter family dynamics are changing on the river.  We suspect the adult female has now abandoned her fully grown young.  We’ve not seen them all together for over a month.  However, the 3 cubs remain close by – and we have watched them often around two rest areas.

We’ve also seen a lone male otter – almost everyday for the past 2 weeks.  Initially its routine was sporadic – even swimming down river, through the town at 2pm.  After many early morning starts, we’ve now found a pattern.   The otter heads up river between 7 and 8am, almost like clockwork (though predicting a good spot to photograph them is another matter).  It has a distinctive white beard, making him slightly easier to identify.

The low winter sun in the morning is proving to be a problem, but with the shots below – fog and poor light were the biggest challenge.

All Rights Reserved – © John Shackleton – Wild Asturias

As I stood on the river’s edge, two otters passed within 2 metres.  They left a trail of bubbles and I could clearly see them beneath the surface. This otter swam a further 20 metres before stopping to take a look back.

One of two young otters. They were calling to each other with a high pitched whistle. This one is watching Belinda on the riverbank above, unaware I was hidden a little further up river.

All Rights Reserved – © John Shackleton – Wild Asturias