Otterly Disappointed

A few years ago, the local town lakes proved a hot bed of mustelid activity with a resident Otter bitch utilising the three main lakes in the town and their adjoining river network to raise her family. This proved brilliant for a budding wildlife photographer like myself, who had only ever had a distant glimpse of wild Otters in the Highlands. It gave me an opportunity to get some photographs and watch their behaviour all usually on my lunch break from work.

So, after a couple of weeks of rumours that a resident Mother was back and with three small pups in tow, someone managed to get some photographs, it was confirmed and I was quite excited, in the intervening four years I can’t complain I have had some awesome Otter encounters up on Mull. But it’s always nice when you can drive five minutes down the road to see them. The only worry I had initially is one I still share today. Social media is so prominent nowadays and a lot of newer visitors to the lake (I can’t really talk, they probably visit a lot more often than I do) are very quick to share all shots and sighting on social media groups, both closed and to a wider audience in the town. Last time it wasn’t uncommon to find dozens of spectators perched on the edge of the water watching these normally elusive mammals. With early onset of grumpy old bastard, I find any one that doesn’t appreciate good field craft and basic wildlife watching etiquette unbearable and would rather miss out myself that witness such annoying behaviour, hopefully the expected throng of foot traffic bound for the lakes are respectful and understand it’s a mother with three young cubs.

Did I mention I don’t really like people? Probably a lot in my posts, with that in mind my own visits to the lake would try and coincide with the usual weekend lay in. I had a brief walk one Saturday afternoon, not expecting to see much but armed with the camera just in case. A few Cormorants perched wings hanging wide, standing sentinels from the big tree overlooking both lakes. The odd one dropped down to fish close to the fishing pontoons. I soon realised the Cormorant is a species I don’t really have any good shots of. So, body down flat among the dried Goose and Duck shit I found myself at water level clicking away as one bird surfaced in front of me. I did have a moment of fright and as the resident territorial male Swan didn’t like the look of one of last year’s Cygnets and headed flapping quite speedily my way to see it off. Only when you are at head level and about 3 feet away can you appreciate just how big and angry a Swan can be. Luckily enough I managed to get my arse up off the deck and camera to safety before they came splashing past.

Celebrating he drifted off into the shade for a big, dominant wing stretch. Even though on the far side of the lake, I couldn’t get the full reflection in with the 600mm. 

That afternoon visit started a trend though and at the time of writing this two and a bit months later, seven visits to the lakes and still no Otter sightings. I’ve been in the early morning for first light, mid-morning, mid-afternoon and even towards dusk. I’ve seen dozens of photos posted online and all I have to show for it are a few more shots of Swans and some fishing Cormorants in some nice early morning light, minus the fish!

I am off to the Outer Hebrides in 6 days or so where I’m hoping Otters are much easier to come by!

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Sunday's Otter Pics

I went down to Rooksbury again on Tuesday night in the hope of a sighting with dad, but the shear amount of people everywhere seemed to be the best reason to blame why we didn't see anything. Photographers & Joe public jumping up here and there, moving every 5 minutes, talking right on the edge of the water, towering above the skyline.

I hate to sound like Im being selfish and wanting them all to myself, because that isn't the case at all, Im all for encouraging people to view the wondrous wildlife we have to offer. I just wish people had the decency to have to wait and earn the luxury of Otter watching not just turn up and expect said Otters to be performing on tap. Time spent being quiet, stealthy, low down and still, have sufficed for me and Im sure by doing so I know Im not disturbing the wildlife or anyone else's enjoyment of it .

Sorry for the rant as promised my Otter pictures from Sunday evening, nice to finally capture them out of the water too without a raucous audience!

Awesome Otters - Video

I spent my friday evening down at Rooksbury again in the hope of seeing the Otters in some decent light, however my visit proved unsuccessful as I stayed till it got dark. Joined by quite a few others, in various states from hidden & well camouflaged to standing on the waters edge talking rather loudly, it seems that word gets around quite quickly, no surprises then that they didn't show, I heard tale that this was also the same on Saturday evening as around 25-30 People had the lake surrounded.

So I was a bit dubious turning up at around 7pm on Sunday to find hardly any cars parked, what time could I expect the hoards of spectators? With Nat down for the weekend and not having been out with the camera I thought it might be a good way to kill a couple of hours and share with her seeing the Ottersome spectacle. A quick catch up with fellow Photographer Grant (who told me he has been spending way too much time in pursuit of the Otters - and was off home for the evening), and a brief encounter with a rather podgy Water Vole, we setup on the lakes edge, perched low down and hidden by the bank behind us. Expecting a little bit of a wait as the Sun was still a fair way above the horizon cast a late evening glow over the waters surface. 

25 mins later at exactly 8pm movement in the reed on the opposing side of the bank, and two Otters emerged in to the water in front of us. I've a fair few pictures to edit, but did have a go at some video. This short clip im pretty sure is of the Dog Otter.

I sent a quick text to Grant, more to gloat than anything I guess about how they had been out and in front of us for a good 15 mins. 5 minutes later he was sat beside us with his son, who had just been about to get in the bath, but rather speedily got told to re-dress if he wanted to witness his first Otter sighting. Both Otters proceeded to show in front of us before swimming off up the lake towards the deeper water in full play mode, rising and diving again in front of us a fair distance out in the late evening glow.

I haven't really used the Video function on my DSLR before but Im quite happy with the results. I don't think my Girlfriend quite knows how jealous I am that she managed to turn up and after 25 mins had witnessed something special without having to sit through Otterless hours! I hope you enjoy as much we did!

Pictures to follow, when I've had chance to edit them.