Attaining up between Perry and Hermit Islands (below Offutt), I noticed something diving below the water. I figured it was a beaver, despite the unusual location. After a couple of strokes, I was confronted with a head peering at me over one of the shoreline rocks.
My first reaction was that a sea lion shouldn't be in the Potomac. It huffed at me as I stopped to observe. I backed off slightly. Though it continued to huff, It climbed higher onto the rock. It wasn't until I could see the long tail trailing behind that I fully identified this furry apparition.
I moved away from the shore to a little eddy and we continued to observe one another. It stopped huffing and, though still wary, eventually started grooming itself. After a few moments, it slid back into the water, resurfacing 12-15 yards further down to climb out onto the shore. More comfortable now, it continued grooming (and watching me) before finally scampering up the island into the trees there.
It appeared to be healthy, though a lot of grooming focused on the right front paw, making me wonder about some injury. I scouted around for a partner or family without success.
I have passed by this island many times over the years. I have been chased away by nesting geese here more than once, this channel provide a good spot to scope out the eagles' nest up river, I've seen osprey here in summer, and this winter has been replete with hawks overhead.
But this otter sighting was something special! It even overshadowed my later sighting of a flock of turkeys on Turkey Island — another first ever for me. 🙂
A pretty decent day on the water...
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