Beverly Naso watched as three River otter pups played on rocks off of the Point Arena-Stornetta Lands.
A curious Western gull flew over to watch the scene and the three pups stopped playing to watch it. Perhaps they were thinking of making a meal of the gull!
River otters look cute, but they can be feisty. They cannot abide pollution in the water, so the fact that they are here is a testament to our clean waters.
Thanks to Beverly for allowing me to share her photos with you here.
Bob Hathaway photographed the scene. He wrote, “While out photographing a boring Western gull, I was treated to quite a show by a visiting River otter. Here is a photo of the two sharing a rock while the otter enjoys breakfast. The otter was harassed by two Ravens and a Turkey vulture looking for a free meal. All the while the gull minded his own business and never departed his post.”
River otters can't abide pollution, so it's a testament to the clean waters of our rivers and the Pacific Ocean that they live here. Western gulls are also year round residents of the Mendonoma coast.
Thanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photo with you here.
Michael Reinhart was watching an Osprey eating a fish when he was startled to see this River Otter climbing up the bluff.
River Otters are fascinating creatures. A family of otters lives in the lagoon of the Gualala River. Below is a photo by Gary Hopkins of a River Otter and a Western Gull facing off. That gull should have been worried, as River Otters will take a gull for their dinner.
Thanks to Michael and Gary for allowing me to share their photos with you here.
A lucky sighting is one of River Otters. I'll let Gary Hopkins tell the story. "We spotted the River Otter and a Western Gull from the bluff above Tidepool Beach at The Sea Ranch. We watched for about fifteen minutes as the Otter cavorted in and around the tide pool, alternately playing, feeding and sunbathing. The Gull stood and watched, sometimes intently, sometimes with seeming disinterest."
Here the River Otter and Gull eye each other.
Gary photographed the River Otter cavorting in the water and kelp.
Richard Kuehn watched a River Otter bring its catch to some rocks off of The Sea Ranch this week.
It didn't take long before a Western Gull arrived with larceny in its heart.
The River Otter backed off the Gull with a hearty snarl. "It's mine...get your own."
Thanks to Rich for allowing me to share these photos with you here.