.. no expectations = great rewards ..
- Sep 14, 2025
- 3 min read
We originally had planned on a sunrise yak, but plans changed and we decided to visit our beavers for the first time in the summer! We usually stay away when the snakes, ticks and chiggers emerge, but we were excited for whatever surprises nature had in store for us - she never disappoints. Though we only had an hour to spend with her - she gifted us 6 otters, 4 mink, and 3 beavers! This was our first time visiting our friends in the summertime, but it sure won’t be our last!
I like to get to our spot and settled in with plenty of time before sunrise. Fog flowed like clouds over the rushing waters as we sauntered through the moonlit woods. Climbing down the ledges, we reached the waters edge. I heard a splash and moments later saw a small dark figure running along the opposing shoreline, so fast. It was a mink!
We sat down and the fog surrounded us - so beautiful! The sun rises over the cliffs and through the woods behind us, so it takes a bit of time for the heat of the morning sun to dissipate the fog. Usually I am so very grateful for these dark and foggy moments, but this particular morning, nature was alive and I needed different conditions to shoot in!
Luckily we have a little bit of a walk to our spot and our eyes have time to adjust because within two minutes of us sitting down (6:04 AM), a family of six otters had caught a fish and were having a wonderful morning on the log across the way! As the otters were having a merry time, another family started running all round us. This time it was four mink! They were so cute as they were fighting the mighty current and running about on the rocks, enjoying the muggy morning as well. Or, so we thought. Photos later revealed that, not only did the otters catch a fish, but they indeed had a mink buddy as well. Oh, what a reminder of the cycles of nature and life.
Then, something caught the otter’s attention. Out of nowhere, Alice popped up and jumped at the otters on the log! My goodness she is such a good momma, so protective! She let them know he was watching and swam off. The otters gathered again on the log and cleaned off before heading downstream to calmer waters. Soon after their departure, Maynard came walking upstream after enjoying a morning snack and joined Alice as they watched over the little ones. A few moments later, baby Raine swam by with some breakfast in her mouth! Oh, my heart.
To be honest, I am surprised any of the early morning photos turned out well enough to make out what they are. It was so dark, and shooting through moving fog is so hard - I had to constantly think on the spot as conditions continuously changed. I really enjoyed it, though! I just would have preferred a lot less fog and a bit more light. To me, they are pretty “raw” and grainy. But my goodness, I am so incredibly grateful for the morning we shared! I even captured my dream shot - Alice and an otter!
Alice is so amazing! She is a wonderful protector and incredible mother, letting the otter family know she was watching, keeping a close eye on River and baby Raine. We began the morning with no expectations and were gifted the most incredible hour! I am so grateful my husband was able to capture this on video while I was busy behind the lens!
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