I have known that there are otters living in the River Wye at Ross for some two years now and have periodically tried to catch them with my camera. Since a little before Christmas, I have been hearing reports of otters by the White Lion pub at Wilton and for the past three weeks, I have been regularly taking long walks along the riverbank, armed with my camera and a 200 mm lens in an attempt to photograph them.

Last Monday, 23rd January, I nearly got lucky. I saw one in the distance and was heading for it when Tina spotted another and called me. In the panic of suddenly being faced with two, in different directions and trying to make a split second decision which would be the easier to photograph, I missed them both. (Otters are very fast swimmers!)

Today, Wednesday 25th January I was taking Eric, my dog for a walk and, to be honest, I was thinking, 'is it worth carrying that lump of a camera with me'. It is a very heavy device to lug around unnecessarily - especially with the 200 mm lens attached and I am still feeling quite weak after a flu virus. I do not know what but something told me that I really should. It was the right decision! I caught all of the photos below within a few yards of the Hope & Anchor pub, whilst walking along the Rope Walk in the direction of the Rowing Club at around 10:20 am.

They are not the best photographs I have ever taken because the otters were quite distant. They were swimming in the middle of the river and the light was not brilliant but I am just so pleased that I finally caught them! The tale of otters on the River Wye at Ross is not just a myth! I am hoping to try and catch them out of the water in the future. Keep watching . . .