Meet the playful North American River Otter, a lively and curious member of our animal family. Known for their boundless energy, sleep swimming skills, and mischievous personalities, these otters are a joy to watch in action. At our facility, you can experience them up close as they dive, splash, and show off their natural behaviors – offering photographers and wildlife enthusiasts unforgettable moments and incredible photo opportunities.
Scientific Name
Lontra canadensis
Common Names
North American River Otter
Description
North American river otters are medium-sized, semi-aquatic mammals with long, streamlined bodies and webbed feet that make them exceptional swimmers. Their dense, water-resistant fur keeps them warm in cold rivers, streams, and wetlands. Highly social and intelligent, river otters are known for sliding, diving, and chasing one another, providing a display of agility and playful energy. Their expressive eyes and whiskered faces add charm to every portrait.
Filming Site
River otter sessions take place a short drive from the ranch, featuring a medium sized pond, and natural brush. This habitat allows photographers to capture the otter swimming, sliding, playing, and exploring both in and out of the water. The setting provides a dynamic backdrop for action shots as well as close-up portraits.
When Should You Visit
North American river otters can be seen and photographed year-round. They are most active during cooler parts of the day — early morning and late afternoon — when their playful behavior is at its peak. Spring and summer sessions often capture social interactions and lively antics, while winter provides the chance to see their sleek, insulated coats in action against icy waters.
What To Expect
The winter months feature River otters on the frozen ground, ice or snow. Warmer months feature the otters swimming and diving in water and scurrying along the shoreline. The otter may also walk on the bank or venture into the grass.
The activity is at ground level, you should be aware of the downward angle of your camera to avoid too steep of an angle. Kneeling or sitting may provide the best composition.
What You Should Know
Basic skills with your camera to:
- set exposures for various conditions ranging from bright sunlight to shade
- using higher shutter speeds and continuous auto focus to photographic action
If you use a tripod or monopod you should know how to:
- quickly change the height, especially important when transitioning between standing and kneeling or sitting (kneeling and sitting require trainer authorization);
- rotate between horizontal and vertical compositions.
If you use a polarizer, you should be able to adjust the filter for the desired effect.
What You Should Bring
The river otter moves through the filming site at a steady pace with occasional bursts of speed. The distance to the river otter varies, at times being quite close, thus a zoom lens is more versatile than a large prime lens. A 100-400 (or 80-400) can cover the entire filming site.
Extra batteries and memory cards as there is nothing worse than running out. Unlike searching in the wild, a Triple D wolves model is present throughout the entire filming session and many photographers take more photos in several minutes than they would in an entire day.
A second camera:
- provides a backup should an equipment failure occur.
- allows you to continue the session when a battery is depleted or a memory card is full
- allows you to continue when your buffer is full
- can be equipped with different lenses (macro and zoom)
- can be set with a different exposure to easily transition between darker exposures and high-speed action
First time attendees are often surprised by the large number of photographs they capture. Secondary storage devices are recommended.
A circular polarizing filter may enhance water reflections.
Kneepads, cushion, or small stool for added comfort when shooting at a lower level.
If you prefer using a tripod than a quick release system is recommended as you may want to handhold your camera to capture some of the action.
The west side of the Rocky Mountains can experience precipitation year-round, ranging from rain to sleet to wet snow. Rain protection for your equipment will reduce your anxiety in these situations.
What You Should Do
Bring everything you need, including memory cards and batteries, to the photo session. You cannot leave the shooting compound once filming begins.
We’ve all done it one time or another, we’ve all been guilty of chimping. Minimize chimping during the photo session as it decreases battery life and increases the likelihood of missing a great shot.
Do not touch the animal, the operating permits prohibit public contact with the Triple D animals.
Staying together as a group helps the trainer guide the animal to look in your direction. Consider moving within the group to capture photos from a different perspective and allow others to photograph from your position.
Do not call out to the animal or make any noises in order to get its attention. A successful session is only possible when the animal is focused on the trainer.
Silence your phone and do not answer or make phone calls.
Participant covenants and agrees that it will not photograph nor distribute, publish or make public in any manner photographs of:
(1) Any of Providers facilities, including, without limitation, cages, pens, or exercise areas;
(2) Any of the Subject Models when on a leash or in cages or pens;
(3) The Trainers or any of Provider’s employees, either with or without the Subject Models without Providers prior written authorization.
