Image titled: Family Affair by Neal Maine. Four river otters gathered together on Stanley Lake in Seaside.
Proceeds in support of NCLC.
For more info about NCLC/ North Coast Land Conservancy go to: nclc@nclctrust.org
About river otters:
A river otter will only settle in a location with sufficient coverage, usually vegetation or physical structures, such as rock piles. River otters are very playful animals. They are often be seen playing games. Social groups are typically made up of adult females and their pups.
Q: Did You Know?
A: River otters can stay underwater for up to eight minutes and can close their ears and nostrils to keep water out. They can also dive to a depth of 60 feet!
Historically, river otters were hunted for their pelts. Today, the otter’s aquatic habitats are being influenced by human contact. Water is depleted, water quality is lowered, timber and other cover is being cleared, vegetation is becoming scarce and more.
River otters are fish eaters and fish populations are at risk from climate change. If fish populations begin moving elsewhere due to climate change, river otters would lose their major food source.
Fast Facts: Length: 3.7 ft (males); 3.2 ft (females).Weight: 11-30 lbs.Lifespan: Up to 14 years in the wild.
For more info go to: http://www.defenders.org/north-american-river-otter/basic-facts
At the opening reception for the exhibition Moments Like This on August 6th Neal Maine shared a story offered by outdoor photographer Dewitt Jones from the article “And The Meadow Said…being the best for the world.”
“I once gave a talk to a to a research division…working on a vision statement. For years it had been, “To be the best research division in the world!” After much deliberation, they decided to change only one word. It would now be: “To be the best research division FOR the world!” That one change, changed everything.
This is exactly what I see in a meadow. Each tree, leaf, bird and flowers are trying to be the best in the meadow, but rather the best FOR the meadow. It is this that gives the meadow peace and its abiding beauty–and puts everything back in perspective.”–Dewitt Jones
For more info about Dewitt Jones go to http://www.dewittjones.com. In addition go to outdoorphotographer.com for Basic Jones archives.
Did you know that on most Seaside First Saturday Art Walks at Fairweather’s nature photographer Neal Maine speaks about the local habitat and introduces new images discovered within steps from “our own back yards”. Sale proceeds are given back to NCLC in support of all programs.
Please visit http://www.fairweatherhouseandgallery.com/artists/Neal Maine for more images and more information about the photographer.