Andrew Marshall Wildlife Photography
Otter (Lutra lutra) Isle of Mull and Shetland Isles.
The otters of Mull are a wonderful rare and photogenic subject. i am indebted to Ruth and Stuart from Mull Magic for introducing me to these wonderful wild animals. The best way to photograph otters in the wild is to stay still and silent on the shore this avoids disturbing the animals who need critical time and space to feed: with patience you may be lucky enough for the Otter to come to you. The latest images were taken on one of my photography tuition days with the otters when (Spring and summer 2019 ) we had some fantastic prolonged encounters, in particular with one otter mother and cub. Contact me here if you wish to come along on our next trip on the Isle of Mull. Gowild@freeuk.com
Following on in the gallery are images 2018, 2017 and (October 2016) from another fabulous trip to the Isle of Mull where I was lucky enough to find an otter tackling a huge thorn back ray. Before this in spring 2015 I was again on Mull and had some incredibly close and wonderful encounters. In the gallery following this are also a family of Otters: this time a mother and two cubs playing in crystal clear sea on the Shetland Isles.
Otter with spotted dogfish
Otter posing
Apparently posing for the cameras but actually mid grooming! otters have to spend a lot of time grooming their fur to maximise its insulating properties.
Hard to digest!
Pair of otters
Two Otters possibly mother and cub use a freshwater stream to rinse off salt water.
Otter (Lutra lutra)
An amazing close encounter: sat watching an otter feeding at sea : he caught a crab and brought it in directly to within three metres of where I was sitting. With a big lens and converter I had to lean back to get this in focus!
Otter bad hair day
Looking a little dishevelled as she cleans her fur in the sea weed
Coming ashore
Stay still and silent on the shore for your best chance of a close encounter with otters.
Otter laid up on the shore
Nice catch!
A male otter playing with his food!