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Otter


Otter
Photo Information
Copyright: Karan Little (hester) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-07
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon 350D / Digital Rebel XT, Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG Macro
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/200 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Animals of the BWC [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-04-08 5:41
Viewed: 709
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Taken at the British Wildlife Centre. This is one of a breeding pair of otters. This otter looks quite serene but apparently they recently took down a canadian goose that foolishly landed on the lake

Facts from the BBC: Eurasian river otter, European otter, common otter, old world otter
Lutra lutra

Otters are one of the most playful animals, often appearing to take childlike enjoyment in sliding around on muddy banks or in snow.

Life span
Up to 10 years.

Statistics
Head and body length: 55-110cm, Weight: 5-12kg.

Physical Description
Although conforming to the basic mustelid body shape of a long, slim body and a skull with powerful jaws, otters show numerous adaptations to aquatic life. These include webbed toes and a powerful rudder-like tail, used for propulsion under water. Otters are capable of closing their ears and nostrils while underwater. They have two types of fur; stout waterproof guard hairs and a dense, fine underfur which provides insulation. Their fur is chestnut brown and is slightly lighter on the belly.

Distribution
The Eurasian otter is the only otter native to Britain. They're also found throughout Europe, as far north as the Arctic Circle, across most of Asia and northern Africa.

Habitat
In the British Isles, otters are found in fresh and salt water, although coastal otters like those in Scotland and the Shetlands need access to freshwater pools to clean their insulating fur.

Diet
Apart from fish, otters also feed on crustaceans, water birds, frogs and voles. They can use their whiskers as sensing organs underwater, to monitor the movements of prey.

Behaviour
Otters are solitary and are active at dusk and during the night. Although they occasionally come out in the day, they usually rest in a burrow in the river bank called a holt.

Reproduction
Otters breed all year round, with a gestation period of about 63 days, after which two or three cubs are born. These are blind at birth and are covered in a dark or grey downy fur, finally opening their eyes after 35 days.

The cubs will remain inside the holt, in a nest of straw or weeds for a further couple of weeks, before venturing out into the open with their mother. The cubs are weaned after three to four months and reach sexual maturity after two to three years.

Conservation status
Otters are listed as Vulnerable by the 2000 IUCN Red List. They have become extinct in much of their range, with many populations still diminishing. They are strictly protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and cannot be killed, kept or sold without a licence.
Silvio2006, pablominto, vanderschelden, Debz, SkyF, Alex99, jaycee, volkan has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pvb Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 376 W: 16 N: 495] (1861)
  • [2007-04-08 5:44]

Hi Karan,
This a great shot, great to see that you can get so close. Nice composition and low pov.
Nice colours and good details.
TFS Paula

Hi Karan, lovely Lutra with with great pose and wonderful colors, very well done, Happy Easter to yuo, ciao Silvio

Hello Karan,
A fine portrait with a beautiful little fellow!
I sometimes come across them in the wild, and they are a threat not only to geese but their favourite meal seems to be trout thus making them my competition...
This is a very well composed image!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hi Karan,
Well done…
A nice Otter shot.
Good sharpness.
TFS
Annick

  • Great 
  • Debz Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 516 W: 0 N: 846] (3307)
  • [2007-04-08 7:57]

Hi Karen, this is a fabulous shot, such great detail and sharpness on the Otter. You have caught a great POV here, it is unusual to see them relaxed rather than playing with each other. Lovely colour and tones with good light.
tfs
debz

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2233 W: 188 N: 1929] (8127)
  • [2007-04-08 8:26]

Hi Karan,
lovely lighting on this composition, It brings out the textures and the colors of this otter very well. The pose by your cute model is wonderful and you captured it in such a nice surounding. POV, sharpness and colors are very nice.
TFS..Sky

Hello Karan,
This is a nice portrait of this fellow with good details, exposure and beautiful composition. Your notes about it are very interesting too. It has so little eyes, it looks asleep :) Thanks,
Claudine

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5669] (18533)
  • [2007-04-08 10:38]

Hi Karan.
What a sweet shot of this beautiful otter you have pictured. Amazing image of the animal and terrific scenery at whole. Shot is composed and cropped perfectly. I also like nice delicate lighting, natural colours, great sharpness of the otter and nearest trunk. DOF is great too as well as nicely detailed BG. My compliments and best regards.
Alexei.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2007-04-08 10:45]

Hi Karan,

This otter is absolutely wonderful. The colors and details of his coat and face are excellent. The natural setting is lovely too.

Jane

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-04-08 11:01]

Hello Karan

A lovely capture of this river otter.If they eat Canada geese there should be more around here because there is plenty of food for them.lol.I have seen these guys playing in one of the rivers near here but no photo yet.You have captured a nice pose with the wet fur.Excellent details and composition.TFS

Rob

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2007-04-08 13:30]

Hi Karan,
Excellent portrait of the Otter. Very neat and sharp. Superb natural lighting and colours. Great pose and DOF. Sure it is resting after a stint of childlike pranks. Very nicely composed. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • clnaef Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 778 W: 67 N: 645] (6814)
  • [2007-04-08 14:14]

Bonjour,
Voilà une outre qui semble tout en confiance.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • volkan Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor [C: 463 W: 10 N: 2] (1098)
  • [2007-04-08 14:25]

Hi Karan,
Nice capture and clear details of this animal.
TFS

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 705 W: 13 N: 1405] (5027)
  • [2007-04-08 18:38]

Hi Karan

Great close up shot of the Otter, nicely composed with and excellent pose and POV, very nice detail and perfectly natural colours too. I love Otters wish I could get this close to one.

TFS Hilary :o)

bonjour karan
la photo est bien detaillée et la netteté bonne,je voudrais savoir ce que vous pensez vraiment de votre objectif,est il precis rapide dans la mise au point?je demande cela car je souhaite acheter un 70-300 mais je voudrais de avis d'utilisateur.
laurent

Hi Karan,
it's soooo cute, what a beautiful shot, thanks.
I had to make a little break at the Trek-sites, sorry. Now I'm back and happy to see all the beautiful shots, bye and greetings
Sabine - wishnugaruda

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