Creek Walk

 

A river otter rests on the ice while fishing a frozen creek at Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge.

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I like how his frozen fur looks like dragon scales in the 3-degree temperatures. Get back in the water!

The otters used their heads to break through the ice to get a breath of air. Each time they crashed through the ice, their exhales sounded like the blow of a whale. They are made for cold weather with insulating fur that keeps them warm even in single digits. But they must eat a lot of fish every day to stay warm.

Sandhill cranes flew overhead all day at Muscatatuck. I went looking for them at Ewing Bottoms but couldn't find any there.

I have my best luck photographing river otters in the winter when the otters ice-fish on the frozen ponds.

I caught up to the otters on the same creek a few years ago during a lucky encounter.