A day with river otters in Columbia County

Daytrips to lakes and rivers in Columbia County can offer unexpected and welcome wildlife encounters.

The best way to observe river otters is to sit quietly above a known feeding area, trail, or slide. Find an angle from which you can avoid surface glare. A pair of polarized sunglasses and binoculars are useful. River otters are wary, and their hearing and sense of smell are well developed. However, they are fairly nearsighted, and they may not notice you if you stay still.

Using a 200 – 600 mm telephoto lens, Kerr was able to watch and photograph the playful otters without disturbing them.