Otter

[tim]

There's been an Otter showing extremely well in a small town in South Shropshire on the River Severn. I could resist the temptation no longer this morning and took the 30 minute drive down to try my luck. I couldn't believe it, within seconds of arriving there it was!

It put on a good display for an hour or so diving in and out of the currents and catching fish. This is in the middle of a town centre with hustle and bustle all around.

First impressions weren't great and if anything it was a little rude!

Otter River Severn Bridgnorth Shropshire 12.04.2015 (1 of 1) by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

Gudgeon for breakfast

Otter with its breakfast River Severn Bridgnorth Shropshire 12.04.2015 (1 of 1) by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

A little backstroke, warming the belly in the sun

Otter back stroke River Severn Bridgnorth Shropshire 12.04.2015 (1 of 1) by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

I think this is my favourite, you can see its body just hanging in the water

Otter Claws River Severn Bridgnorth Shropshire 12.04.2015 (1 of 1) by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

In the end though it did manage a smile before I left.


Otter smile River Severn Bridgnorth Shropshire 12.04.2015 (1 of 1) by Tim J Preston, on Flickr

I have never seen a wild Otter before and to spend an hour watching it moving in and out of the currents and jumping like a Dolphin was an experience I will not forget. Will I go back, what do you think?

Nikon D7100. Tamron 150-600mm

 

[dragonfly]

Pose and light in no.3 is lovely, well done.

 

[gramps]

Fantastic to have that so close to town and happily making the best of life ... great to see, thanks for posting

 

[Box Brownie]

Jealous I am

Great to see and in what is a disturbed environment but more importantly speaks well of how clean that river is!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[RacingSnake]

Great stuff, and a good selection of shots.
Sounds like plenty of opportunity to return in the future too.

 

[tim]

Thank you for your comments. I've been back on two further occasions with no joy. The water level has dropped loads though.

 

[wishmaster]

How lucky you are to have seen that! Thanks for sharing

 

[Derek_W]

He's a bit rude in the first shot poking his tongue out at you. The third photo is beautiful, if a little soft. The pose and framing really make it special. Even the disturbance in the water adds to the interest.

I hope you see it again soon.