European otter, Lutra lutra
European otter, Lutra lutra

I followed this mother and cub up-stream on the River Ouse for two or three hours, they were surprisingly tolerant. The adult Otter would hunt for fish, leaving the cub on the bank or on a log along the bank and when it had been successful, it would return to the cub with the food. They would usually then move up-stream a hundred yards or so and repeat the behaviour. Here the young Otter has left the water, while the adult hunts and is moving up a log left on the river bank from a previous flood.

Nikon Z9, AFS VR 200-500mm f/5.6E. @330mm
f/6.3, 1/1250s, ISO1000

Ref: _AQ13800-1

European otter, Lutra lutra

I followed this mother and cub up-stream on the River Ouse for two or three hours, they were surprisingly tolerant. The adult Otter would hunt for fish, leaving the cub on the bank or on a log along the bank and when it had been successful, it would return to the cub with the food. They would usually then move up-stream a hundred yards or so and repeat the behaviour. Here the young Otter has left the water, while the adult hunts and is moving up a log left on the river bank from a previous flood.

Nikon Z9, AFS VR 200-500mm f/5.6E. @330mm
f/6.3, 1/1250s, ISO1000

Ref: _AQ13800-1