North American river otter

North American river otter Lontra canadensis

River otters were once state-endangered in Virginia (and nearly wiped out in the western part of the state), but reintroduction programs in the 1980’s have been quite successful, and their numbers have recovered significantly (Virginia DWR).

I first observed these graceful semi-aquatic mammals on the North Fork of the Shenandoah in 2010, but it was a number of years until I saw them again. In the last several years, I’ve made a number of observations and have even been able to watch them diving for fish.

During golden hour, an otter makes it way through the North Fork of the Shenandoah.

Portrait of a river otter

Rocky outcrops seem to be a favorite otter hangout spot on the Shenandoah.

A river otter rests in a rocky hideaway on the Shenandoah.

An otter finishes consuming its meal of fish on river log.

A juvenile river otter with the remains of its meal

This river otter periodically periscoped up through the leaves to keep and eye on me.

Portrait of a river otter with reflection in the North Fork of the Shenandoah

North American river otters on trail cam at Heron Cove, Broadway Virginia