California Coast

"Morro Bay Otter 1"

October 2007, Morro Bay, California

Lenée and I went to Cambria on the central coast of California almost every anniversary. Cambria is only about 15 miles away from Morro Bay, so I would typically get up very early in the morning and go to Morro Bay Harbor while my beautiful wife slept in. I would then return about two or three hours later, hopefully with some great pictures, but always with some bear claws from Cambria’s amazing French Corner Bakery. Lenée had told me that if I did not come back with her bear claws, not to bother coming back at all.

This particular morning I was shooting harbor scenes in Morro Bay when I saw this otter swimming lazily on his back as he ate his morning meal. He was quite a ways off initially, in the middle of the harbor. Finally, after about an hour, he became more accustomed to my presence. Eventually the critter swam up to within 50 feet of me. I put on the longest lens that I had and fired away, talking with the varmint the whole time. It was as though we had been lifelong friends.

I honestly think he was posing for me. I shot dozens of rounds, and he would simply look straight at me as if to say "how's this". For this shot he actually has his flippers behind his head, assuming a classic studio pose. This guy exuded personality. I finally had to explain to the critter that I had to get back to Cambria and the French Corner Bakery before they ran out of bear claws. We reluctantly parted ways, and I hoped that I would meet him again on future trips to Cambria. I made it to the bakery just in time.

AdorableCaliforniaCuteMarine LifeMorro BayOtterPacific OceanSea Otter