Kodiak, AK 2018
Shhh....let me tell you a secret!
Mama appears to be whispering into her pup's ear. Pups stay with their mothers for at least 6 months before weaning.
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"I WUV you!"
She seems to be giving her baby an affectionate kiss. Sea Otters are mammals whose primary diet consists of various crustaceans. Pups drink rich milk from their mother until old enough to dive for their own meal.
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What part of NO don't you understand?
The boy just won't leave her and her baby alone, and she is one angry mother.
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"Now, Stay AWAY!" (Think he is getting the message?)
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"You are safe with me".
Mama Sea Otters are very protective of their young. They rarely birth more than one pup at a time. If they do have twins, the mother will abandon one of the pups to ensure the survival of the other.
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Mama Otter and pup.
These two were most accommodating and photogenic. Most are skittish and camera shy.
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View of Quartz Creek Lodge from the boat.
David and Pam built this lodge together, literally by hand over the course of one year using supplies which arrived by barge. Only on 2 occasions did they have any manpower assistance. A friend came out to help - once for a week, the other time for 1 1/2 months.