Loch Ness Monster
Uploaded: March 12, 2008
At least that's what my wife called it, and I wasn't about to argue with her since from a distance, it did seem to look a bit like Nessie. The Latin name "Lutra canadensis" even sounds similar to Loch Ness--I think. Here is a closer view of a Florida River Otter.
f/6.3, 1/400, ISO 400, daylight, partial, +2/3, lens Canon EF 400mm L, handheld, Orlando Easterly Wetlands, 3/12/08.
Exif: F Number: 6.3, Exposure Bias Value: 0.67, ExposureTime: 1/800 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 400, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 400.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 40D
Jennifer Burt March 13, 2008
I love this picture, I'm so jealous you got an otter picture. Everytime I go out on the Ocklawaha or the Silver Rivers my brother always sees an otter and by the time I get a chance to point the camera in the right direction it's usually gone.Robert G. Stalnaker March 13, 2008
Thank you so much for noticing that glow! I was so thrilled when I saw the otter and noticing myself how the light was just "glowing" from the low angle of the sun.Yes, you are perceptive, Jennifer. It was taken at 752 AM, and with Daylight Savings Time just kicking in, that's like 652 AM just a few days previous. The color of the otter never would have been brought out under the harsher sun a couple hours later.
There were two otter, and it was difficult getting either one by itself or two in a framing that looked nice. Also, they were shy. I felt very fortunate to walk away with this and a couple other shots. #5639576
Richard P. Lussier March 15, 2008
I really like this shot, Robert, your framing, the wonderfully warm colors... I especially like the inquisitive expression that you captured, very nice! #5647547Teresa Norris March 16, 2008
Wonderful image, Robert! Beautiful setting, beautiful light, beautiful otter! #5649184Robert G. Stalnaker March 16, 2008
Hi Richard and Teresa. You know, this photo is an example of why "Rules" don't always work. Sometimes there is such a "requirement" that "fill the frame" and other "rules" play to the detriment of wildlife photography. If judges demand, e.g., that the subject "fill the frame", then I make the otter bigger and lose the beautiful marsh surroundings.I believe that in wildlife photography, adding the animal's natural habitat makes the photo far more beautiful than simply making the subject dominate the frame.
Richard, it is like your photo "Sunny Texas". At what point do you pull the bull in to "fill the frame" and at what point do you lose those beautiful yellow flowers in the meadow? You chose to show more natural habitat (and ignore "fill the frame") and the photo to me is more beautiful that way; that's sort of what I tried to do here.
Thanks for visiting!
#5651743
Pauline M. Tims March 25, 2008
Beautiful image . lovely light #5699147Kristy A. Keene March 26, 2008
Great Capture! #5701411Karen Engelbreth March 30, 2008
Wonderful image, Robert! #5719209Robert G. Stalnaker April 04, 2008
Hi Pauline, Kristy and Karen. Everybody loves otters. It was neat to find this otter (actually a pair of them) and watch them. I was hoping to get a good photo and feared I would not as they would not cooperate, but finally I got the comp I wanted and was happy that it turned out well. #5746214Candice L. Carter April 06, 2008
Brillant crop and title! I loved everything about this shot! #5751755Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.
Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.
BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.
Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.
The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:
I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.
You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.
Copyright for this photo belongs solely to Robert G. Stalnaker.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.
I already have an account!