Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

[ChrisW]

Just back from the Outer Hebrides and thought I could show off my wild life photography skills.



The otter is circled in red and my technique for capturing such a magnificent image is one I am happy to share.

1. Make yourself comfortable - I was sprawled out on a garden seat, drinking coffee and reading.
   
   
2. Keep your camera close to hand – mine was at my feet, zipped up inside a Lowepro rucksack.
   
   
3. Do some test exposures, check your histogram, pay attention to avoid the ‘blinkies’ – my camera was at my feet, zipped up inside a Lowepro rucksack, setup unknown.
   
   
4. Keep your eyes and ears open – I was reading the September edition of Digital Camera magazine, engrossed in the article on wide angle lenses (the Zuiko Digital ED 9-18 lens is “the obvious choice for Four Thirds cameras” – an insightful verdict!) when I noticed the otter a few of metres from me walking along the shoreline.
   
   
5. Don’t make sudden moves – the otter and I were in Mexican standoff, and I don’t know who was more surprised to see the other. We both froze and stared at each other. As I slowly reached down to get my camera and the otter slowly continued walking towards me.
   
   
6. Keep quiet – apparently in otter language, the noise of a Lowepro rucksack unzipping means “run as fast as you can, and don’t stop!!”. So, as I unzipped, the otter shot off along the shoreline. Just before plunging into the sea I managed to get a single photo.

I could offer training courses in my technique, but you would have to bring your own garden seat. Mine is shown below, to the right of the Blackhouse, which was our home for the last week.

[catkins]

Re: Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

Excellent - opportunity of the year, wildlife photographer of the year award waiting, the accolade of E-Group members on your return home, and there you are . . . . relaxing! It's good to know that Olympus users are such a relaxed bunch, willing to make the best of a holiday and then at least take a snapshot to prove that they've been somewhere. And you didn't even seem to notice the two really rare wild Hebridian ponies in the background!
Get that training business set up quickly, I want to book and learn your lovely relaxed approach to photography.

BTW: Thanks for the story too.

Regards
Chris

[Wee man]

Re: Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

lucky shot! Just to check is it permissable to use a cushion on the garden seat or will this change the camera settings needed? I will of course await your full training sessions.

[nickg]

Re: Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

That seems a very similar technique to one I often employ.

I think you should also draw a red line around your chair in the second image to provide continuity.

[ringneck]

Re: Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

Brilliant
Brilliant
Brilliant.........great story and fantastic capture.

I hope you was ready to burst into barely audible whispering as seen by some snapper on spring/Autumn watch ....

Keith

[snaarman]

Re: Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

Oh yes. Been there, mostly with Kites overhead.

Kites have excellent eyesight and can tell the difference between an 11-22 and a 70-300. If you have the wide angle fitted they fly silently over you at 30 feet. By the time you have swapped lenses (takes me 34 seconds including lens caps..) they are up at 450 feet and half a mile away.

Clearly I will have to sign up for your course

Pete

[ChrisW]

[ringneck]

Re: Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

Oh yes. Been there, mostly with Kites overhead.

Kites have excellent eyesight and can tell the difference between an 11-22 and a 70-300. If you have the wide angle fitted they fly silently over you at 30 feet. By the time you have swapped lenses (takes me 34 seconds including lens caps..) they are up at 450 feet and half a mile away.

Clearly I will have to sign up for your course

Pete

Snap...been out all summer with the 135-400 trying to get the buzzards in flight and they keep their distance.
Yesterday one came right low overhead....I only had the 40-150 on..Doh.
Keith

[maccabeej]

Re: Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

I'm sorry but I won't be signing up! Firstly fancy having the camera bag at your feet when everybody knows it should be locked in a cupboard in doors under a pile of dirty clothes and secondly, that to be ready for action the body and the lens should be stored separately not attached with a +10ND filter in place.

Jim

[Jezzer]

Re: Honest, its an Otter on Berneray beach

Excellent story Chris and images to back it up!
I think your experience is one we've all had, to one degree or another, and sums up all that is good, bad and indifferent about photography.
I hope you'll continue this technique and refine it as you go - obviously get rid of the Lowepro rucksack as the otter might have stayed to chat for a while!
Looks gorgeous up there, be good to see some photos of the area - and any other technically challenged wildlife shots!

Regards