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Otter


Otter
Photo Information
Copyright: Terry Longley (wideload) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 210 W: 5 N: 1027] (3737)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-08
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon EOS 10D, Canon EF300mm 4/L IS, ISO 100
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/500 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Animals of the BWC [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2005-11-06 11:23
Viewed: 1487
Favorites: 2 [view]
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Otter - Lutra lutra

The otter is a large member of the weasel family (mustelids) with an amphibious lifestyle. In the wild they are elusive, secretive animals and live in undisturbed rivers, streams and estuaries. In the early 1960’s they were on the verge of extinction due to river pollution, habitat loss and hunting. Now with full legal protection, cleaner rivers and managed habitat it is returning to its former haunts, although its distribution will always be limited by the availability of fish
The male otter is called a dog and the female a bitch. They have large lungs and can stay submerged under water for 4 minutes, often swimming 400 metres before resurfacing. They can reach speeds of 12 km/h under water and can outrun man on land.
The males occupy large ranges, which may include up to 20 km of river bank and daily travel long distances along regular routes by the margins of the river.

Size:
Head/body length: 60 - 120 cm; tail 40 - 45 cm.
Description:

Brown fur, often pale underside, long slender streamlined body, small ears, long thick tail and webbed feet. The eyes and nostrils are high on its head, so that it can see and breathe when the rest of its body is submerged. The small ears have valves which close against water pressure. Their big whiskers, 'vibrissae', probably help it to find food in dark water.

Habitat:
Found on coasts and estuaries and in fresh water habitats with suitable cover.

Young:
3 'cubs' can be born at any time of the year but usually in early spring after 63 days gestation. They are blind for 35 days and suckled for 6 months. They do not take to the water until they are 2 - 3 months old. They initially fear the water and sometimes have to be pushed in by the mother, who cares for them alone. Nest The 'holts' lined with grass, are usually in stream banks with an underwater entrance.

Diet:
All kinds of fish, eels, molluscs and crustaceans, also rabbits, frogs, ducks, moorhens and snakes. They take their prey to land to eat.

Taken at the British Wildlife Centre.
Text courtesy theBWC
JeanMichel, Tommysugar, livios, marhowie, TAZ, coasties, glazzaro, bartove, slrnovice2 has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Terry,
I love this guy. He's looking so curious with his black eyes. Sharpness is excellent, also the colours. The POV is realy great from this low position. Very well done, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

This is a wonderful portrait Terry. The photo is perfect, but much above is the pose, the inquisitive eyes and the green environment all around, in a superb composition. Seems like coming out of a fairy tale. Thanks my friend, this is making my evening!

  • Great 
  • olger Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 65 W: 0 N: 138] (744)
  • [2005-11-06 14:15]

Real nice picture Terry, the pose is just perfect, the sharpnes and the depth of field is very well! Well done! thanks for sharing!

Regards,

Olger

Nice shot Terry, solid detail. Just a suggestion if your interested, but if you select the eyes only a drop shadows by 50% more detail and reflection will emerge.

Greg

Beautiful shot! A very good portrait of this nice animal!
Bye Tom

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2306 W: 324 N: 4306] (16856)
  • [2005-11-06 17:36]

Terry, this is really great.

Excellent colors, pov and composition. Great sharpness too.

The dof highlights the head/eyes.

Congratulations.

Great expresion captured Terry. Very well composed. Not a nit. Excellent. Thank You

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2385 W: 50 N: 3184] (10918)
  • [2005-11-07 3:48]

Beautiful and interesting shot that you have well done ! Congratulations Terry and thanks for sharing.

" the Life is so rare in the universe and the Nature so precious, take care of them! " Christian...

Hi Terry

This guy is so cute. A stunning face. Love the big wide eyed look. Nicely composed with good light. Thanks.

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1676 W: 5 N: 2144] (11878)
  • [2005-11-07 10:00]

Belle prise et bonne netteté. La composition est très jolie et les couleurs sont justes.

Félicitations !

Very nice close-up of this cute otter, I hope you have a Happy New Year! :)

Hi Terry,
wonderful portrait excellent colors, pov and composition.
Eyal

Hi Terry, excellent capture of the otter, certainly one of the best I've seen. Crisp clear details, lovely colour, great pose and POV. Fantastic capture, wish it were mine :)

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