Nice article on the return of river otters in Thursday’s Treehugger report with some awesome photos you will want to see for yourself. Here’s a taste to whet your appetite.
In Photos: River otters making a come back in California’s Bay Area
Last year and earlier in January we reported on a river otter in San Francisco that made headlines. Sutro Sam was the first otter spotted in the city in perhaps more than 50 years. But this temporary resident of the Sutro Baths ruins is just one member of the recovering river otter populations in the bay area. And he, along with his fellow otters, are a sign not only that the local efforts put into habitat restoration are paying off, but that focusing on coexisting with wildlife in general can bring back native species to an area.
I love otters and their recovery. Still, I don’t know about you, but when I think about the fatted-calf reception these cheer-inducing animals get in comparison to beavers I’m a little jealous. Otters are like your darling cousin who always monopolizes all the attention and gets away with things by flashing her big blue eyes. Well – brown. Never mind that beavers are steadfastly building and maintaining the dams that improve those freshwater fish to begin with. Basically making a buffet table for these starlets to eat and swim.
And speaking of the goodies at the buffet table, Tom Reynolds of Sonoma Audubon just posted this video on facebook. It’s a bittern munching on a crayfish. And considering how secretive these birds are it’s a fairly amazing glimpse at nature enjoying her bounty. Unfortunately I just realized that the privacy rules still apply so if you’re not “friends” with Tom you can’t see this. My advice to you is MAKE FRIENDS!
