Sea otters spend the majority of their day taking it easy, resting by floating on their backs. Groups or "rafts" of sea otters congregate in calm, quiet waters. The highest number of sea otters recorded in such a raft totaled over two thousand animals - that would have been quite a sight to see!
This one would float peacefully, stretch a bit and preen, then resume the "position." Sounds like a great way to spend a lazy, Friday afternoon!
Have a blessed weekend! Thank you so much for your views and comments! They are greatly appreciated!
© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Jetty Road Moss Landing Sea Otter Nikon D750 600mm Mammal Raft Floating Water Harbor NGC NPC
© All Rights Reserved
Have you ever watched a baby discover her feet? That's what this sea otter reminded me of as it checked out its back feet.
We were totally enamored with the sea otters on our recent trip to the Monterey peninsula - so much so that I have over 4,000 images just of sea otters to sort through.
Jetty Road off of Highway 1 in Moss Landing is a great place to get close to the sea otters that congregate and raft there in the protected waters of the harbor. While we did not see any newborn pups, we did get to observe mothers with larger pups (more to follow!).
Thanks for your views and comments!
© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Jetty Road Moss Landing Sea Otter Water Nikon D750 600mm California Foot Harbor Sunrays+5 Mammal Fur NGC SpecAnimal
© All Rights Reserved
Front paws up; back paws up, tail up; now arch your back and stretch!
Our daughter teaches yoga and this little one seems as if it could be leading a class!
Have a great week ahead and thanks for your views and comments!
© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Jetty Road Moss Landing Sea Otter Mammal Water Harbor Nikon D750 600mm California Monterey Peninsula NGC
© All Rights Reserved
A mother sea otter cracks open a mussel's shell prior to handing it to her eager and not very patient pup. She is also balancing more mussels on her stomach as she floats along on her back.
We were able to observe this behavior many times as the otters were feeding near a small bridge at the entrance to Jetty Road off Highway 1 in Moss Landing, California. Mom would dive down and gather the mussels. The pup would call out and swim close to its mother expecting a handout and fussing if dinner did not come quick enough. It would then swim away and eat happily, only to repeat the process over and over again.
Best when viewed large.
Thanks for your comments and views! They are greatly appreciated! Have a great week ahead!
© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Sea Otter Mother Pup Mammal Water Mussel Balance Feeding Nikon D750 850mm 1.4 Extender NGC NPC
© All Rights Reserved
Not all is blissful in the life of the sea otters as this image will attest. About 90 seconds after my last image was taken these two female sea otters engaged in a ferocious fight. The otter with her head raised (scar nose) must have ventured too close to another female and her pup. The second mother swam over and the two immediately began to fight. I am assuming the fight was more protective than territorial. Scar nose's pup was somewhat caught in the battle and could be heard crying out as the fight ensued (part of its head can be seen between the two females). The fight lasted for about a minute with scar nose and her pup swimming away from the area. No one seemed hurt and the area quickly returned to its previous calm.
Thank you for your views and comments. They are greatly appreciated!
© 2016 Craig Goettsch - All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use without permission is prohibited.
Tags: Sea Otter Mother Pup Fight Mammal Moss Landing Monterey Peninsula Water Wildlife Nature Nikon D750 850mm 1.4 Extender
© All Rights Reserved