Mum and Pup Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris)

It is always great to photograph these, the smallest of marine mammals, as they just look so cute and cuddly. We had seen them on our visit to Alaska where they were “rafted up” in their hundreds.  But this Mum and Pup we spotted while on a cruise with Archipelago Cruises out of Ucluelet on Vancouver Island.

As would be common along the western seaboard they are floating in a kelp bed.  The sequence of shots shows that Mum was holding on to the Pups foot probably for safety.

Mum holding on to Pup’s rear foot.

Mum holding on to Pup’s rear foot.

Then, although the Pup isn’t small anymore (not short of fully grown by the looks of it) she hauls junior up onto her belly by pulling him up there by his foot / rear leg.

Mum pulls Pup onto her belly by rear foot.

Mum holds Pup securely while getting into position.

Once the position is achieved, both look happy and relaxed.

Pup safely on Mum.

Pup snuggles down on Mum safe and sound.

I look forward to more encounters with these charming little marine mammals.

We have to thank Al and Toddy of Archipelago Cruises for such an excellent day – couldn’t have done it without them.  This cruise alone was worth the visit to The Island.

To acquire one of the images for wallpaper, or as a print, or for licensed use, simply click on the image and you will be directed to the sales page.

Gear: Nikon D4s, Nikkor 80.0-400.0mm f/4.5-5.6 VRIII, Nikkor TC-14 EII, Lexar Digital Film, Archipelego Cruise’s 53′ Canoe Cove Motor Yacht

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 15th, 2018 at 12:20 am. It is filed under Color Images, Mammals, National Parks, Wildlife and tagged with Archipelego Cruise, available for licensed use, BC, British Columbia, Broken Island Chain National Park, Canada, fine art print for sale, Lexar Digital Film, marine mammals, Mum and Pup Sea Otters (Enhydra ultras), Nikkor 80.0mm-400.0mm f/4.5-5.6 VRIII, Nikkor TC-14 EIII, Nikon D4S, Richard King Photography, Vancouver Island, www.fulltimervingwiththekings.com, www.mothernatureimages.com, www.richardkingphoto.com. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.