[vichillman]

I've always wanted to see and photograph otters off the coast of Scotland, have plans to go to a great place in September, but never thought I would see one in the middle of the day in bright sunlight, let alone only a couple of feet from me and completely unbothered by my presence, given that I was actually photographing oystercatchers I wasn't even fully hidden. Absolutely amazing experience and shows that patience and quiet can really pay off. I spent around 20 mintues with this otter as it may it's was around the bay towards me and then past me and on up the coast, here are a few images from the encounter taken along the coast of Seil Island.
Heading around the bay
[image]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4514795371_18019a67c9.jpg[/image]
Just in front of where I was
[image]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2348/4514792761_541f05c46c.jpg[/image]
Just as it past me by to carry on along the coast
[image]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4515543164_6b37220d8f.jpg[/image]

[Hawk_Eye]

Great photos Vicky. Really like the second one. Otters are my one of my favourites animals but I've only seen them in wildlife centres. Definately going to have to go up to Scotland to try and see wild ones.

[Michael T]

Otters truly are incredible. I've always wanted to see them in the wild because I have seen them a few times in a zoo but never in the wild(we have platypus insted :D) a few years back I went to visit my cousins in Finland and it was the month after we got home that they sent me an email saying that they had forgotten to tell me that there were otters in the creek less then 500m away from where we had been staying. I was so dissapionted oh well.

[GreenLarry]

Oh very nice, I'm envious! One animal i'd love to see in the wild,they're so charismatic!

[Hawk_Eye]

I recently read that at a local reserve there are apparently otters but obviously access is restricted to group parties at certain times of the year.

[vichillman]

When out driving/walking around on my days off from the islands, I stumbled across an osprey nest and managed to get these:

[image]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs437.snc3/25125_421635261350_670456350_5814176_209951_n.jpg[/image]

[image]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs437.snc3/25125_421635511350_670456350_5814181_3977508_n.jpg[/image]

[image]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4544178182_7dbb9773bc.jpg[/image]

Did also see a capercaille lek which was amazing, two males and three females. It was very special to see them in the wild and the males fighting. Definately a must see for anyone.

[Hawk_Eye]

Great photos Vicky.

[vichillman]

Thank you, it really is an amazing place up here so rich in wildlife which is why I've change the title to include othe hebridean wildlife, will keep adding pics through my time here. We had a porpoise jump clean out of the water which I have be assured is a very unusual sight, we do get minke whales in the summer as well. The colours in these pics are all true, I have not altered them at all, who needs foreign holidays!!
Gannet
[image]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4585072690_8ab951c908.jpg[/image]
Porpoise
[image]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs504.ash1/29819_426461496350_670456350_5930711_4905343_n.jpg[/image]
Razorbills
[image]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4585073844_c1b424c5c4.jpg[/image]

[vichillman]

I can definately recommend the Hebrides for any wildlife enthusiast, I am amazed at the wealth of wildlife there is on the islands, not to mention the beauty of the landscapes. Just got back from Skye, here's two pics taken at Neist Point.
Great Skua
[image]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/4604017589_1e39c4b28d.jpg[/image]
Fulmar
[image]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1079/4604015585_fd793ac114.jpg[/image]

[Coelacanth]

Lovely images! Looks like a Pike in the talons of the Osprey, BTW.