On my walk along the Yampa River early this morning, I spotted a writhing black mass on the opposite bank. When I looked through my binoculars, I was amazed to see four adult-sized otters frolicking with one another. I watched for about 10 seconds before they slithered down the bank and disappeared into the river without so much as a splash. I was elated, and Molly, my Duck Tolling Retriever, was too astonished to even bark. This is the third time I have spotted otters along our stretch of the river, but it is the first time that I have witnessed them playing on land. Of course, they disappeared before I could snap a picture, so I have no photo of the otters to include with my posting. But the glimpse I had of those amazing creatures will remain indelibly imprinted in my mind.
What's more amazing is that just a few years ago there were no otters on the entire Yampa River. They were extirpated in the early twentieth century due to over-hunting. They were re-introduced into the Green River in the 1950's, and over time have made their way up the Green to the Yampa River. Because they still are far from common on the river, I consider their visit to our ranch an amazing event.
Molly's reaction to the otters!
Looks like Molly is doing her best River Otter impression there! I want to be reincarnated as an otter. They always look like they're having fun!
No wait, she's licking her lips because she wants to eat them? NOW I get it.
Too cool! :)