Otter Experiences

I was out kayaking early on Saturday morning. I was exploring the rock island close to our cottage. I rounded one end of the rock outcropping and ran into two otters diving. I was within 10-15 yards of these animals. I remained motionless and they did not seem to notice me. As they came closer I moved and they dove and then resurfaced to look at me and then dove again. They continued to dive frolic just off shore.


On Sunday I was again out early for a paddle. As I was returning I noticed, from a distance, the otters in front of our neighbours cottage. As passed by I saw one of the otters on a rock along the shore eating a small fish. I returned to our cottage and beached my kayak. The otters were now in front of our cottage diving for fish I assumed. I watch for a short while and then the otters did not resurface. I went a little closer to our floating dock and I could hear something. The otters were under our dock! I went on the dock. You could hear them breathing and snorting. As well they occasionally made a type of purring sound. At the shallow end of our dock one of the otters was eating a fish. I could hear the bones cracking as the fish was being consumed.

Eventually I rocked the dock but that did not seem to bother them. In retrospect I thought I should have lain prone on the dock and looked through the opening slits along the side. I could have come eyeball to eyeball with these animals. Well maybe next time. It is evident that they use our dock frequently as their droppings are left on top of the dock. They predominantly consist of fish scales.