Otter Shoots Photographers

[3113]

...with a camera.

Wildlife photographer Enrique Aguirre makes a point of visiting Monterey Bay once a month to capture images of herons, seals and sea otters. But on Feb. 3, the San Francisco-based freelancer found himself on the other end of the lens — with an otter at the viewfinder. Aguirre was on Capt. Yohn Gideon's Elkhorn Slough Safari boat with several other professional photographers when the group spotted an otter in the distance. Gideon steered closer as Aguirre framed the shot. Then, Aguirre noticed something odd.

"I was like, did I actually see an otter with a video camera or was I hallucinating?" he said. The screen on Aguirre's digital camera soon confirmed what he'd seen: an otter floating on its back, video camera grasped in its paws, lens aimed at the boat of excited photographers. The humans had a bad angle, but Aguirre managed to snap a single clear shot before the otter dived, video camera in tow. "He's the only one who got the photo," Gideon said.

Judging by the rust and seaweed adorning the camera, the otter probably wasn't getting much good footage. But Aguirre, who has photographed animals all over the world for more than a decade, said the otter aiming a camcorder was the "craziest" thing he's seen an animal do in the wild. The otter never resurfaced, leaving the photographers to speculate on the make and model of the animal's gear. Aguirre suspects the camera was dropped by a kayaking tourist and then picked up by the curious creature.

Story here.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site570/2009/0219/20090219__a6.otter.0219~1_Gallery.jpg

Finally! Evidence of the great otter conspiracy! And you all said I was crazy!

 

[voluptuary_manque]

He's lucky that sea-going weasel wasn't packing anything heavier. You think its bad now, wait until they start moving floating mines into the shipping lanes. I tell you, otters are bad news!

 

[TE999]

Those paparazzi are getting more clever every day.

"MILEY CYRUS' NAKED CANOE TRIP: A National Perspirer Exclusive"

 

[Guest]

Otterly amazing.

I wonder if they hang around Black's Beach trying to get some T&A shots?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Well, next time you get a blackmail letter demanding abalone as payment, you'll know!

 

[TE999]

"Hi! I'm Oswald Otter, spokesanimal for the Sony Fathom Camcorder. When my family and I go fishing..."

 

[Guest]

Well, next time you get a blackmail letter demanding abalone as payment, you'll know!

Ah, baloney! I'll just order prints!

 

[DesertPirate]

...with a camera.

Story here.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site570/2009/0219/20090219__a6.otter.0219~1_Gallery.jpg

Finally! Evidence of the great otter conspiracy! And you all said I was crazy!

This doesn't prove you aren't