![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPiV7g9Lu7jJJqXi29NwhcwUTG7XfPUMdl6Bq48IxsSnHfc5K48zifK9zWE_lmmE8B70XQZOeTxIIOOQfTPbq67uQ_saYvtD9Kpc56Dp-uQDv0ribnZ99AHEtVv3DZrQ8tfAmo1xQaDo/s400/bl_sunset+Armadale3991.jpg)
We saw some spectacular sunsets on Skye,
though we didn't see the Red Cuillin 'ablaze'
as we have done on previous occasions.
The Otter is a shy creature,
and often prefers to swim about
when all is quiet at dawn or dusk.
I had never 'definitely' seen an Otter on Skye before.
I say 'definitely' because I have seen several possible sightings,
but these may have been small seals
or monsters of the deep!
The 'creature' in the photo below may be just such a thing.
I thought it looked like an Otter,
but David was doubtful.
There were rocks just below the water surface,
and as the tide receded, these emerged,
looking like living creatures.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vkB2sVrpgvEZ9IKaab0Ue7bN5v3LiTg__rFRQUX4lw04CW8JikZfj__Pfq9ZfAzFuzUn99_XHJb4ufvx3NVOiBKkaRvQfbG0vFb1zBdKJUnz-Nxe23f0zKSN3yxquNKKY9XdQeAAjoE/s400/bl_otter+rock+3821.jpg)
However, the creature in the photograph below
was definitely an Otter!
It swam away from us
(though I'm not sure it knew we were there),
making a spindrift 'V' as it went.
My photo was taken from some distance,
with an 18 zoom lens.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrYPFlBwFEcx-TEY8M1dU0PUPIGyG7JvL1WKWVDGc2UKbTphyphenhyphenOKQ1nq24BAffSiXOxA7Qv7t6kWyFsp2viWW6dXcv4Y9GD5wH-vH1WKv_TZZafMgAKRcj0k2plVdE5MZVQrsqqqMfYs4/s400/bl_otter3921.jpg)
We had a few days in Wester Ross,
and were keen to have another encounter of the Otter kind.
Remarkably we were rewarded in the middle of a windy day
when an Otter appeared in the loch, alongside our car
as we ate our picnic lunch.
Never underestimate the use of the car as a functional and portable hide!
I was too busy watching the creature on this occasion
to attempt any photographs,
but the memory will stay with me for a long time.
I hope I can look forward to further sunset expeditions on Skye
and to more picnics by the loch in Wester Ross!
Otter Facts- Otters are largely sub-aquatic mammals and are members of the Lutrinae family.
- It seems that the word 'Otter' shares a distant root with the word 'Water'.
Otter Links