The Otter
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
Story Time
Justin's comment about the snake and slug (see previous post) reminded me of one of my otter sightings.
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From our home, it takes 15 minutes to walk to one of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie rivers. In the quiet of the morning it is not uncommon to see river otters at play. One early morning, I was walking on a wide log which extended out into the water. Looking down, I saw the rump and webbed feet of a small otter. The front half of his body was hidden under the adjacent log.
I stood there for a long time, neither of us daring to move except that the otter had to maintain a gentle rhythm with his legs to prevent the river from pushing him downstream.
I was highly amused because it appeared to me that this otter thought he was hidden, like a little kid that doesn't know to hide his torso when playing hide-and-seek. He can't see me...therefore I can't see him. Finally, I tried to kneel down for a closer view.
Whoosh; gone like magic. I could not even tell which direction he had made his exit.
I treasure my animal sightings. What about you?
Justin's comment about the snake and slug (see previous post) reminded me of one of my otter sightings.
-------------------
From our home, it takes 15 minutes to walk to one of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie rivers. In the quiet of the morning it is not uncommon to see river otters at play. One early morning, I was walking on a wide log which extended out into the water. Looking down, I saw the rump and webbed feet of a small otter. The front half of his body was hidden under the adjacent log.
I stood there for a long time, neither of us daring to move except that the otter had to maintain a gentle rhythm with his legs to prevent the river from pushing him downstream.
I was highly amused because it appeared to me that this otter thought he was hidden, like a little kid that doesn't know to hide his torso when playing hide-and-seek. He can't see me...therefore I can't see him. Finally, I tried to kneel down for a closer view.
Whoosh; gone like magic. I could not even tell which direction he had made his exit.
I treasure my animal sightings. What about you?
