How to photograph: River Otters

River otters are a challenging but fun subject.

Where

Otter species are numerous and, with a global distribution, terminology becomes an important consideration. There are a number of behavioural and environmental differences between different otter species, not least because many are endangered, shy or just downright very difficult to find. I'll be focusing on the prevalent and widely distributed North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) for the purposes of this article.

River otters rest close to easy water access.

The principles hold for the Southern River Otter (L. provocax) though this species is critically endangered and found only with considerable difficulty in the temperate wetlands of Mid-Chile and Argentine Patagonia. Eurasian, African and Neotropical otter species are not applicable to this article and will be covered separately at a later date.

River otters spend their days launching fishing expeditions from their rock dens.

North American River Otters are easily found across virtually all estuarine and coastal regions of Canada, extending deep into the continental mainland. Individuals and families can be found on virtually any beach of coastal British Columbia and Alaska and they frequently take up residence in urban areas under dock pilings and floathouse communities where they may become somewhat tame with the local community. They are also found along the Northern aspects of both seaboards in the United States.

American Minks are confused for otters but are far smaller and more erratic in their movements..

Locally these otters are confused with the smaller, feistier American Mink and, because of their prevalence on the coast, with Sea Otters though the latter is almost exclusively found floating offshore. On closer inspection there are considerable differences between the three and photographically they are not equivalent challenges.

Sea Otters are very different - both are oceanic but sea otters live offshore.

When

River otters can be reliably found year round in their elected dens. Trap cameras will confirm the frequency of activity in suspected sites and can be helpful in identifying the purposes of specific retreats. Typically a series of dens and hideaways are made - some for sleeping, some for hiding, some for surveying, some for toileting and still more for playing and training juveniles in.

Littoral caves provide hiding places during the day.

Cave networks and eroded submerged boreholes on the rocky beaches of the Pacific Northwest can yield otters any time of year. Prime viewing times are in March-April time in Southern British Columbia, Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii, in Alaska a little later in late April to May. At this time of year new families and juveniles will be seen emerging and regular assessments over the summer will show how quickly the young kits grow in size.

Juveniles grow quickly and band together for support.

Towards October time the otters often head out as a surly gang to go fishing and to warn each other of the swathes of sealions and transient killer whales that threaten them at this time of year. Late winter, January and February are typically less productive times but at reliable sites individuals foraging may be seen with some patience.

The evening fishing trip is a good time to see otters.

Considerations

These otters are generally shy and easily spooked on land. At sea they are somewhat more empowered but you don't get too long before the dive with a characteristic upwards flick of their weighty tails. This motion is particularly useful in identifying otters in the distance and discriminating them from the harbour seals (especially juveniles) that share their inshore range and distribution almost exactly, as well as kelp bobbing up and down in the swell.

River otters have a characteristic tail flick when they dive.

When otters are sighted on beaches or close to dens, distance, patience and cautious movement is key. Stay downwind at all times. Above all noise must be kept to an absolute minimum. The North American species has relatively poor eyesight but their hearing is exceptional both above and below water and an errant scrape of the boot or sigh as you kneel down to steady your camera will spook them. Indeed, even a noisy autofocus on a telephoto lens can garner their attention.

Otters have exceptional hearing but their eyesight is poor.

You'll know when you've got it because they'll stop everything and stare at you, head raised. The older otters will huff or sometimes bark at you before turning tail and diving into the next wave. Your opportunity is gone at this point so pack up and go home unless you want to spend the next few hours trudging up and down a beach while the otters swim out, head up the beach and come back in before heading out again.

Older otters in gangs will stare you down.

Whilst figuring things out I advise staying at least 30 metres away and keeping a low, non-moving profile, ideally wearing dark grey or green clothing against the typical Pacific Northwest coastal background. Bright coloured clothing - especially reds and yellows - are poor choices and will be picked up immediately even by the most myopic of otters.

Keeping your distance allows you to observe more natural behaviour.

Clearly telephoto lenses are extremely helpful under these conditions - frankly the greater the range the better. This must be traded off, however, against the dark backgrounds of rocks and the emerald waters of Pacific Northwest inlets. Otters move quite a bit too and motion blur is hard to avoid below 1/250 exposure times. Your aperture size may be in the 5-6 range despite your best efforts.

Good lighting is key against the greens and greys of Northwest beaches.

Mono and tripods are very useful, or at least a bean bag resting on the very stable rocky outcrops that often form a hiding location for plucky photographers. Gimbals are generally less useful at these preferred telephoto ranges of upwards of 400-500mm. If you sit really still or, better yet, in a hide, you might be lucky enough to have a much closer visitor but don't bank on it.

Silent photographers get a closer encounter.

The classic neck-extended-staring-you-down shot comes with about a five second window to get the shot so it helps to have your camera set up first. I advise before even engaging the otters taking a few practice shots of rocks and especially otter-coloured washed up logs under similar lighting to get your settings sorted. White balance tends to the slightly yellow end of the spectrum in overcast North Pacific skies, but many will correct this digitally afterwards. Shooting in RAW negates this too.

Otters stretching out of the water like this will soon depart the scene.

River otters love fishing for easy prey - bottom dwelling fish and particularly rockfish species are a favourite and can provide hours of entertainment for successful individual who will often take up residence on a rocky outcrop to eat their fish while the rest of the family look on.

Rockfish are a favourite meal.

Otters also love playing in kelp and at low tide in the early summer washed up giant kelp (respective species of which are endemic in both the Pacific Northwest and the Patagonian belt where the Southern River otters are found) can provide hours of fun and some really exciting shots for a patient photographer willing to lay down on the craggy beaches.

River otters love playing in kelp fields.

As for river sightings, river tours with skilled guides can be arranged in the summer months in the wetlands around Chepu and Cucao on the west coast of Chiloé Island in Chile for those seeking out the Southern species but expect to come away without any pictures. Lucky souls will have the opportunity to photograph this otherwise marine species in its freshwater environment where polarised and submerged shots are a possibility.

River-bound otters are suspicious and evasive. Good camouflage is essential.

The Northern variant can be found with considerable effort in the freshwater valleys of inland British Columbia, the Yukon, Alberta and Montana but the coast is the easiest destination by far. Glacial meltwater and sediment deposits during the appropriate months for sightings in these rivers makes underwater photography less likely but not impossible.

In rivers otters surface rarely and with little wake.

Oceanic shots can be a challenge otherwise - generally they'll be too far out for easy beach photography and all you really get is their head angled out of the water or the aforementioned tail flick. Polarisers can provide for some creative shots but the loss of aperture size (sometimes four, even up to six, stops) is often fatal to shoreline photography - especially in the photographer's preferred evening light.

Otters at sea are often too far from shore and boats for good pictures.

I have had miserable experiences trying to photograph shore-bound otters from a boat or kayak. Whilst it's a great way to find them, you stick out like a sore thumb and they see you coming a mile away - if anyone has any suggestions on this I'd love to hear them. Lastly, it should go without saying but you won't stand a chance of photographing otters if there are dogs around so pick a quiet spot.

In the ocean otters flee before you can take photos.

To summarise, this is a group of animals that require patience and behavioural and situational awareness. With focus and some luck you can get close enough to get a few shots at a time, but you have to be set up and ready to go before the moment. Good shooting!

Otters come into the beach eventually.

All photography © Chris Milligan Photo. All views are my own. Seek local recommendations before photographing or approaching any wildlife.