
Something’s out there, but where did it go?
Something was out there.
My breathing paused while my eyes switched from the well-thumbed Birds of Northwest Ecuador to the reflective waters of the pond. Subtle ripples confirmed that something was there, though there were many possibilities.
The masked water tyrants were nesting again, and they often patrol that section of the pond. I did not think that those birds were responsible for those ripples.
The white-ringed flycatchers were absent this week; their nesting cycle ended when the small bush holding their life’s work toppled into the pond during heavy rains. Hopefully the fledglings had fled before the nest’s baptism. Maybe they relocated to a favorite perch, the red ginger at the edge of the pond.
A striated heron stops in every so often, though it usually perches on dead limbs and waits in stealth mode. I quickly dismissed the heron from my list of suspects. Cute little swallows gather insects while practicing touch and gos during the last few hours of each day, but this was a sunny morning. Swallows were also quickly ruled out.
Ah! The blue-winged teal! They stopped by for a visit in December. Maybe they were back? Their presence added a touch of grace to the landscape.
The neotropical cormorant had been absent for a few days, thank goodness, as it gorges on tilapia throughout the day. I checked its usual spot – empty – and shifted my eyes to the mirror-like waters. Most likely the cormorant had returned. If so, it would surface soon.
My eyes darted to new ripples along the grasses, and the swift movement jolted me into action.
Otter! The otter’s back! Peering down at my polka-dotted fleece pajamas, I decided to change into outdoor clothes while retrieving my camera and freshly-charged batteries. Garbed in a gray turtleneck sweater, a blue and gray scarf and olive cargo pants, I stepped outside. With my camera in one hand, a clipboard of paper, a small notebook, pad, pencil and pen in the other, I was ready for an immersion in nature.
I coordinated down-the-hill movements whenever the otter dove beneath the surface. Remembering the last photo session with the skittish otter, I stayed down wind. (Last time it could not see me, but it snorted several times then vanished for the day!)
Tall grasses and young shrubs provided easy cover, but they also hindered my attempts at good photos. As if to boast, “Ha, catch me if you can!” the otter climbed upon the concrete wall, posed and quickly returned to its private swimming area. (Note to self: Trim vegetation in that area.)
Seeking new options for photos, I tipped along the trail then very quietly walked onto the footbridge. There! Yes, the new vantage point provided good light and new angles. The otter was so busy foraging that it paid no attention to my presence on the bridge. Every so often it ventured into the thick grasses that snaked across the surface of the water. The grass quivered, giving away the otter’s location. Like playing ‘Match!’ in the swimming pool, I watched from above and wondered where it would surface.
“Where did the otter go? Did it spot me? Will it hide for the rest of the day?” A bird swooped low near the bridge and soared over the water – a phoebe! – and after an aerial sally, it perched on the bridge railing. “Where’s the otter?” I silently asked.

“It went that-a-way!”
“You’re getting closer…” the phoebe teased, then looked over its shoulder.
There! Oh my, the otter swam under the bridge and was so close that I couldn’t find it through the camera lens! Fumbling, I lost a great chance as the otter swam to the next section of grasses.
I wrapped my scarf mummy style around my head to mask as much of my face as possible. The pad and paper were abandoned, and I steadied the camera with both hands. Bracing elbows against my torso and leaning against the railing, I waited for otter to surface.
There was little wind; the sun peered over the mountain tops and flooded the pond with strong light. The nearby trees provided dense shade, which helped me blend with the surroundings. A camera-shy crake provided a soundtrack from nearby vegetation. So far I’ve only gotten fleeting glimpses when it passed through the dense grasses. “Another day, Mister Crake.” My visual attention was dedicated to the elusive otter. It patrolled the parameters of the grassy edges of the pond, and I attempted countless shots of its swift movements.
Every so often, I got lucky!

What big eyes you have!

What big claws you have1

What a sweet smile you have!
For another half hour, the otter and I oggled one another. Getting comfortable with my presence,it swam in my direction, and in one quick fluid motion – paused, reared in the water, looked straight at me, turned and raced away. Over and over we repeated that scene, and every so often it hissed as it paused. Feeling cocky, I hissed back, which prompted it to pivot in the water and return.

“Who taught you to sass me?”
I grinned, and since it no longer seemed frightened of me, I chatted with it a bit before it grew bored – or hungry – and swam away to patrol the far edge of the grassy area.

Wasn’t I the lucky one to witness this?!
Now watch him star in the video!
Z
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Oh my goodness! After more than four years of reading and viewing your posts, I would have thought that you could not surprise us anymore. Wrong!
Lisa, you have outdone yourself with this beautiful and delightful post. Thank you for sharing your new wonderland with us.
Squeeeeeeeee ! How fun! Lucky you! So glad you made a new friend Amiga 🙂
Lisa in Wonderland. You are great!!! Hugs.
Great post. Thanks for having the patience to wait for those amazing shots.
Thanks for your great account of the jungle; I always root for the birds! Please keep up your good work.
What a fantastic journey you took us on in your explorations of nature! Your photos and video are brilliant along with your prose. I love otters and to be able to catch one up close would be such a memorable experience!
OH Lisa!!!
I have to echo the words of John and Mary .”Oh my goodness! After more than four years of reading and viewing your posts, I would have thought that you could not surprise us anymore. Wrong!.”
because as I was watching your post I was thinking almost the same thing…and the first 3 words of my post were going to be “oh my goodness”
Last year when I was there with you we saw ripples out in the pond and never really could figure out what was causing them,,,,,,,so this pretty little otter might have been what we were looking at?
OK….see you in a week!! Can’t wait…..and let the fun/laughter begin.
BB
I am so glad you are out there showing us what is out there. The video is wonderful. Where do you think the otter goes in between visits?
He was as curious about you as you were of him!!
I didn’t realize until I read your post that I associate otters with more northern places. I didn’t even think they were here in Texas, but I see that river otters are making a comback in East Texas. It’s wonderful that you have the opportunities to see such things, and the patience to make use of them. Your post’s an absolute delight.
Speaking of patience, which program did you use to make the video? It’s just lovely. I’ve been thinking of giving it another try, but the program I used to make one in the past really was cumbersome.
Lisa, I’m so happy I took the time to watch the video, something I rarely do. Absolutely lovely. How did you make it (or what did you use?) Wish I had the money to buy the whole place!!
janet
What a lucky day! Such sweet creatures.
Reblogged this on Living It Up in Ecuador and commented:
Our friend Lisa is an artist. We started following her blog before we moved to Ecuador. She now is staying near Mindo, Ecuador at a wildlife preserve in the cloud forests.
Although Ecuador is a small country, it has a great variety of different ecosystems. This blog will introduce you to some of the birds and animals in the cloud forests of Ecuador!
Thank you, Lisa, we just had to share – this is amazing!
If this wasn’t the best way to start my Saturday! You have incredible patience Lisa – so great to see you playing with the Otter! Hope you are well, was thinking about you just yesterday and here you’ve just popped up. Great collection of shots – you and the Otter have become great friends ~
What delightful photos and video, Lisa! That otter must have liked you – they are notoriously difficult to hang out with…and I didn’t realise you had them where you are. I’ve only ever seen them ( very occasionally!) in the far North-West of Scotland.
Wow!!! Persistence paid off. Love, love, love the suspenseful story.
That’s beautiful Lisa !!
Oh my dear Doctora Doolittle! Always so happy to hear that you are communicating with the nature you dearly love. Yes, you are amazing and the otter knew it! He was honored to speak to you.
Wow, you’re honoured indeed to get so up close and personal to an otter. I’ve never seen more than a brief glimpse from a distance before.
Lisa that is a stunning post, the variety of birds and THEN the otter, how blessed you are to be living amongst so much splendour. The video was a treasure of beauty. I’m so surprised your friends property has not been snapped up. How is your friend? I hope you have good news about her. and how are you? Stay well my friend.
Hi Z: Great post. Hope to see you soon. Stephen & Xio
Wow! So fun. I’m glad your patience and perseverance paid off. Otters are so cool.
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