My first sighting of sea otters was rather different than I expected. First of all they were huge! I’ve seen river otters before but this was a whole different weight class. A head to head encounter in water could be an eyebrow raising experience.
Having a nap seems to be contagious. I started to get sleepy watching all the inactivity.
I also expected to see constant motion with adept swimming and slick fishing. It might have been happening under water somewhere but not where I could see. All I saw was napping, a little grooming and a lot more napping. I suppose that makes sense with an animal that has fuzzy feet with built in slippers.
The more I thought about it, the more I loved their attitude. They all acted like they had no worries and no responsibilities as they floated around on their back with water flowing gently over their stomachs. Underneath that calm demeanor belied the fact they must consume 25% of their ample body weight in food each day.
I might not be stressed about eating the first 5 or 10% of my body weight – it might even be fun. But I if I had to hunt down and catch all my desserts, I think I would act a lot more stressed the rest of the day.
As it was, they just made me relaxed about my responsibilities and more than a little sleepy. It must be time for my best sea otter imitation.
Now that looks comfortable.
If only I could float!
Krahnpix 
HA! Love the built-in slippers. I think I feel a certain affinity for creatures who wear slippers and nap during the day. 🙂
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I figured I wouldn’t be alone in that!
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We saw lots of these in Alaska – they are absolutely adorable!
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Agreed – and another good reason to go to Alaska.
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Otters are just the coolest cats around. I only ever saw river otters and they are a fun-loving bunch. I like your ‘little floaters”. Relaxing and enjoying the day.
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They are pretty special. The thing that amazed me was how much bigger the sea otters were compared to river otters. But I like them all.
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Those are beautiful, Lyle! Those napping otters look like a fuzzy floating Muppet party!
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Ah the Muppets. I haven’t heard anyone mention them for awhile but that’s exactly right! I get these good lines after my post is done.
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Otters are very high on my list of most favorite animals on this planet. I’ve had chances to see them in the wild in Minnesota several times, but last November was my first chance to get close to the sea otters in California. They are nothing short of magnificent, and they are now even higher on my list!
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It sounds like we share an opinion on otters! Seeing them was really high on my list when we went to California and I was so pleased to get my wish. Lucky you to see them in different states.
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Gorgeous captures, Lyle. I also wish I could just relax and float. I haven’t been able to master the art yet. 😕
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Maybe we just aren’t relaxed enough to float like a sea otter:) I know they sure have it down to a science.
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Were these guys in the Elkhorn Slough down by Monterey? They are very cute. Great photos!
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They most certainly were there. I’m taking it that’s not a lucky guess:) I had a great time there and it sounds like you did too.
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I’m tickled that the famous Canadian photographer (L.K.) is in my home state! I feel a big connection now. 🙂
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Your state treated me quite fine – thanks for sharing the otters and connecting! Hmm now about that famous part …
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How nice it would be to sleep floating in the sun. I wish I were an otter, I wish I were an otter…You live a charmed life, Lyle.
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You should have said it three times and it would have happened! I do live a charmed life … but I sometimes forget.
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Awesome shots Lyle. Gotta love those sea otters. They are adorable. I want to go back to California to see them again.
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I will definitely be checking for them when we go back again. They have me hooked.
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Nice captures. In another life I briefly lived in the Monterey Bay area and used to ride my motorcycle to the bay to watch the sea otters. They would float on their backs with a rock on their chest and smash abalone and other shellfish on the rock to get to the meat. All they needed was a TV at their feet to complete the picture.
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A TV would definitely complete the picture. That must have been a great experience living there. I’d go see those otters quite a few times before tiring of it!
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Sea otters are the cutest. I’ve only seen them a handful of times in the wild and never since I’ve been a bit more serious about my photograph–your post makes me want to book a trip to Alaska right now. I never thought about having to eat 25% of my weight each day before. I think I would be totally stressed out, too. You have to admire how the otters take it all in stride. You got some wonderful shots!
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Alaska is on our list of places to go as well and seeing otters there would definitely be a treat. Maybe if I’d hang out with them more I’d pick up on their amazing ability to relax! No stress, no worries just eat and nap!
I see you noticed my Italian capabilities. You never know what language I will throw around next:)
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Oh my that first pic is the cutest Krahnpix EVER. Here in the Western Cape we get the Cape Clawless Otter but they are so elusive I have only ever seen one in captivity. Lucky you Lyle 🙂
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Cape Clawless Otter – what a great name! Too bad they are elusive. When I checked some images on Google, they looked like might fine animals – just like every other otter. Glad you like the sea version too! And yes I am most fortunate.
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Sono bellissime queste foto e le lontre simpaticissime 🙂
Ciao, Patrizia
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Sono sicuro trovato loro di essere creature di divertimento e una gioia per fotografare anche mentre stavano napping.
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I am impressed with your Italian, Lyle. You are a true Renaissance Man! 🙂
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What a lovely and fun post! Gorgeous captures of the sleepy otters, love them all. >3 🙂
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Those otters have a way of making themselves quite appealing. I was so pleased to find them for the first time in northern California.
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👍🏻 Lucky you to have this encounter! I’d jump with joy. 😊
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