there's an OTTER living in our river!!! It is so cute!

The beaver who moved in last summer have put in a dam, which has widened the river behind into a calm deep little lake. (fwiw - I like the beaver, and am happy to have them in the river)
I had already seen a heron checking out the new "water feature"! Then yesterday afternoon I wandered down, hoping to see the beaver in action (as opposed to just the evidence of beavers in action - the multiple sharp pointy stumps where trees used to be...) and saw bubbles in the water. I was able to make out a sleek dark animal swimming underwater when up popped an otter onto the rock about 5 feet from me. It shook itself off, stretched, looked up and spied *me*... :wow:
The otter leapt back into the water and swam over to the beaver lodge, popped just its head out of the water and BARKED at me! It was quite annoyed that I had disturbed it's peace and quiet!
It was actually quite wonderful all together!

I've not had an otter visit, nor do I expect one (just beavers and muskrats).

I do have many bird visitors, herons, egrets, cormorants, and more.

What type of heron visits you?

Are otters and beavers daytime critters?

I have seen a Great Blue Heron several times now since the little lake was formed. I know we have crayfish living in the river, and bullfrogs. Both of which would probably prefer the otter move on.... LOL!

I am hoping that more water birds will begin visiting! It is fascinating to watch this new habitat take form!

enough to show up at just the right time.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

:)