River otter

Sleek, dark, and in no hurry, a trio of river otters crosses the open ice while an eagle keeps watch from a short distance away. Sleek and playful, the river otter glides through Manitoba rivers and lakes with a thick, waterproof coat and strong, webbed feet. It hunts fish, crayfish, and frogs, and can stay submerged for several minutes.

River otters are playful, long-bodied swimmers with thick tails and dense, waterproof fur. They hunt fish, frogs, and crayfish, and in winter they travel between holes in the ice, often sliding on their bellies across the snow. They live in family groups, so seeing several together is common. Otters are famous for sliding on mud and snow banks, and they are active in winter, often sliding across the ice and swimming through open water.

This is a favourite frame of three river otters on the ice, with a bald eagle standing behind them, in black and white.

Three river otters crossing a snow-covered frozen lake in black and white, with a bald eagle standing on the ice behind them

Photos

  • Three river otters crossing a snow-covered frozen lake in black and white, with a bald eagle standing on the ice behind them
  • Black and white photograph of river otters moving across frozen ice with a bald eagle standing nearby and reeds along the shore

Back to Manitoba wildlife photography, or see the portfolio.