Sea Otter
Mark Seth Lender Watching Sea Otter Watching Mark Seth Lender
One of the things I love about sea otters is “The Look.” This is when an otter stops what he’s doing - in this case grooming - and meets your gaze head on. In general, eye contact does indicate a degree of concern or even threat. When a grizzly bear does that, run (not that it will do you any good). That said, there’s more going on when an otter eyes you than prudence. I’ve never had an otter turn away and leave after eye contact, or make a hostile move. Don’t laugh. Despite their furry faces and playful demeanor they are quite capable of taking care of themselves, if they need to. But that gaze is always more than a glance, more than a brief survey of what I am and where and how close. It is steady, and goes on for a long time, which I believe indicates a high degree of interest. As if, while doing fieldwork on them, they were doing fieldwork of their own, on me.
Seeing an otter in a photo or in person makes me happy. I think “The Look”, is an otter greeting, something like “Hi, my name is Hank, I’m an otter.” “Your a “hooman”, are you friendly? Do you want my fur?”
Compelling photo and post!
Be safe.