Northern River Otters pups
The otters are back at Noanet Pond. I have photographed them here a few times over the past few years, always in the colder months, and over the past few weeks I’ve had several sightings again. The best came on November 1, when three Northern River Otters hauled out on the muddy bank and worked their way through a tangle of fallen branches at the water’s edge.
They were wet, sleek and in no hurry. One sat upright and watched the pond. One nosed along the waterline. The third climbed onto a log, and at one point opened its mouth wide enough to show its teeth. Then one of them looked up and stared straight down the lens. They knew I was there, and for a while they didn’t seem to mind.
Three together is most likely a family. Otter pups are born in spring and stay with their mother through their first fall and winter, learning to fish and to find their way around her territory. My guess is a mother and two of this year’s young.
Northern River Otters enjoying the sun
Why the colder months? I don’t know for certain. Otters cover a lot of ground and may simply include this pond in their rounds at this time of year. They are also easier to see now: the leaves are down, the banks are open, and otters tend to be out more in daylight as the weather cools. Whatever the reason, their return is a good sign for the pond. Otters eat fish, crayfish and frogs, so they only come back to water that can feed them.
Northern River Otters December 2024
A note on how these were taken: every photo here was made from a distance with a long lens. The otters chose to haul out, and they chose when to leave. If you’re lucky enough to see them, stay back, stay quiet, and let them go about their day. If an animal changes what it’s doing because of you, you’re too close.