Couple weeks later and I’m back to the wetlands. This time much earlier in the morning. Dressed more appropriately so I could stay out for longer.
Right off the bat when I arrive there are some waterfowl to be seen.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 2500
Canadian Geese, beautiful creatures. I got some shots of a pair of them slowly floating along the water for a time before they starting their pre-flight honking. My cue to get the camera ready.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 1600
The pair of them took off one after the other, I was focused on this one. The water splashes in front are from the other goose that had just taken off.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 2000
Their feathers are so cool, and not something you ever get to see this detailed since they keep them tucked onto their body obviously.
It wasn’t too long before another subject came into view. And the of the rapid fire shots I took, this one I really like.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 1600
Talk about some feathers. Although sad to see them missing a few.
The Great Blue Heron wasn’t alone, but was harassing another animal that I would have never guessed.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 1600
An OTTER???
Dude. Yes. What. Wow.
Those were the thoughts going through my head roughly. There was a pair of otters playing around in the water just going back and forth. The Heron was following them, flying from spot to spot anytime they got close to land. Not entirely sure why, the Heron certainly wouldn’t try to eat them I don’t think. And I don’t think they had a fish they were trying to chow down on.
This went on for some time, I tried really hard to get a shot with both of them in view but it just wasn’t happening. Although this shack is great for viewing a big wide area. It’s pretty far from the action. Shooting at least one or two hundred feet away. Even with the big lens I needed the extender on there to get some halfway decent photos.
Like some great ones of the Heron coming in for a landing.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 1250
And another from the back view when it flew away from me.
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 1250
Canon 7D Mark II w/300mm + 1.4x - 1/800 Sec - F4 - ISO 500
That last one was the only shot I could get of both species in frame. Not great of the otter, but you can tell that’s what is in the water on the left hand side.
I knew river otters existed obviously, never thought I would actually get to see some out in the wild. I’ve been back to this location many many times but have yet to see them again. I think they are further up river that came to this big pond. There isn’t exactly a trail so exploring it safely and without disturbing any nature has been more difficult.
Also I research otters a bit more and found that I’ll probably only see them on really cloudy days like this.