Three river otters have been coming to Sky pond lately. They like to feed on the resident Bass population. At times I have seen them swimming in a circle to drive the fish into a nice little group to catch them more easily.

They are very curious creatures, and if you stand very still and call to them they may come over to see who or what you are. A soft clicking sound seems to work the best, sort of the sound you might make if you were trying to call a horse.

As they approach they tend to bob up and down in the water, as if they are trying to get a better look. I tried doing the same thing to them, and they became even more curious (Perhaps they thought it odd to see a human doing such strange things!)

They may live over on Johnson Creek, or off somewhere on the Oyster River here in Durham- although I have not gone looking for their den.

If you have never seen it there is a wonderful old movie about Otters called "Ring of Bright Water"

The morning I took these pictures they water was quite still and the sun reflected around the swimming otters like spun gold.