Once we didn’t know where Shetland Islands were and now it’s a top destination where we want to come back. For this we have to thank two people – photographer Danny Green, who described Shetlands as his favorite place and in such a way convinced us to go there and photographer Dr. Richard Shucksmith who showed us the beauty of the islands and helped us to discover fascinating inhabitants of Shetlands – otters. The days which we spent with this elusive mammal were the most exited but at the same time it was the most challenging photographic experience we had so far. But we just loved it; we loved every minute of it. Even now we get excited when we think about it.
Our adventure started around 4 a.m. as otters tend to fish on the low tide. We followed Richard who scanned water, kelp beds, banks where otters have their holts - home and rest area. We continued to walk into the wind searching for any signs of movement. Bit by bit we started to recognize spraint of otters and Richard was an expert to say if they were fresh by touching or smelling them.
The first otter we spotted after 1,5 hours walk and we were very pleased as there was an otter mom with an adorable cub.
We carefully followed the otters for more then two hours. We had to keep low as much as possible, crawl on the grass, duck down behind rocks, walk on the pebbles in slouching position without making any noise which was extremely difficult and of course we had to carry our gear at the same time. The efforts later paid off and performance the otters gave us was amazing.
Once the otters appeared about two meters away from us and we could even hear the sniffing of the otter mom. As otters have bad eyesight they can only really detect movement and because we stayed really still they were not sure what we were. Of course we couldn’t fire the shutter even it was so tempting. Richard made some strange noises to keep the otters away otherways they could have been distracted by us. That morning we continued to follow the otters while they disappeared behind rocks...
Next morning we came back at the same site before 5 a.m. We kept walking along the shore till 10 a.m. with no sign of otters. We felt frustrated and so tired that we could barely put one foot in front of the other. Back at the hotel the spirits were low but lovely images from yesterday brought back a tiny smile on our faces. The smile became extremely big after Richard's call and his magic sentence: “Let’s go ottering.” Tiredness was gone in a second. It was getting darker and drizzling from time to time, but otters didn’t disappoint us this time. We saw a male otter, an otter with two cubs and the same otter with one cub, which we managed to photograph again. It was fun but physically demanding activity. Each time the otters dived we had 15 - 20 seconds to move with them, hide behind rocks or banks and remain still before they came back to the surface. Richard gave us unforgetable lessons how to approach otters and get close to them.
Otter cub crying for attention
Otter cub waits for a fish
Otter brings a scorpion fish to a cub
That evening was truly brilliant and overall ottering experience was amazing, full of laugh, interesting chats, good energy and of course - sore legs. Thank you Richard for all of it.
Other days in Shetland Islands were spent in Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Sumburgh Head RSPB and Bressay as Noss NNR was closed to a bad weather. In Hermaness and Sumburgh Head most of our attention was focused on lovely and adorable puffins.
Every time on the way to Sumburgh Head we simply had to stop to photograph Shetland wren and wheatear which were dashing around feeding their youngs.
Shetland wren
Wheatear, Sumburgh Head
We couldn't ignore vocal oystercatchers as well.
For gannets we headed towards Noss NNR, but due to the bad weather conditions it was closed. Luckely we have seen a colony of these fast seabirds in Hermaness.
As we didn't get to Noss NNR, we decided to wander in Bressay. It was nice to feel a spirit of freedom and wilderness walking along a coast. Calmness and harmony fascinated us untill a massive attack from arctic terns and bonxies. They are very territorial birds and we mistakably stepped into their domain.
In Bressey there was so much action going on that we nearly missed our ferry and had to run for it with all our gear on the back. But again, it was worth it...
Golden plover, Bressay
Juvenile meadow pipit
Red - throated diver
Bonxie in Bressay
Fulmar courtship, Bressay
Ferry was taking us back to Lerwick, the sun was going down and our day as all our trip was nearly over. Shetland Islands awarded us with lots of discoveries, positive energy and adrenalin which will lead us to more adventures in the nearest future...