The otters of Trowel Shop Pond

You never know what you will see when you are lucky enough when nature revels itself. At the beginning of February, three otters have been quite visible during the day at Trowel Shop Pond in Sharon, which is about 5 minutes away from the Museum of American Bird Art.

Trowel Shop Pond, Sharon

What started off as a big black blob on the ice as Sean Kent, the education coordinator, drove home from work on Friday, February 2nd, and turned the car around on the hunch that the blob was an otter, has turned into a magical window into the hidden lives of otters. Enjoy this photo essay that gives you a glimpse into the lives of these three otters that have been at Trowel Shop Pond during the week of February 2 to February 9, 2018.

Otter hauled out on the ice. Notice the distinct pattern of water on the ice. These ice holes and freshly frozen areas are characteristics of otters. Look for them on ponds near you that have flowing water.

Smile, I’m ready for my close up. This otter just finished eating a blue gill, but was having trouble getting it down.

Fresh Catch!

Otter hauled out eating a sunfish

All three otters playing in the snow

14 thoughts on “The otters of Trowel Shop Pond

  1. Deborah

    Beautiful shots-what telephoto lens did you use? I think I might have shot the otter(s) at Manns Pond yesterday (5/7/18) It was noisily thrashing around in the water where the pond meets the marsh. But, my 24-105 captured only fuzzy pics. I may also have seen a beaver (?) a little further up the little creek (light beige w/pine needle twig in its mouth, gently swimming then going under the root system of an overturned tree in the water’s edge) about a week earlier.

    Reply
    1. Sean K. Post author

      Hi,
      Thank you so much for the wonderful comment, I used a Nikon D750 with a 200mm to 500mm lens and these were probably taken between 400-500mm. I’ve seen otters about a dozen times since January, they’ve been at Trowel Shop Pond in Sharon, but also at Borderland State Park in Easton/Sharon, and at Glue Factory Pond (The Bleachery) in Foxboro (right on the Mansfield line). That sounds like a beaver with the twig in it’s mouth, but it could also have been a muskrat too. Thanks for the comment.
      Best,
      Sean

      Reply
    1. Sean K. Post author

      Hi,
      Thanks for the nice comment, I’ve seen them at 8:00 am, 8:30, and 9:00 am on different days. I’ve also seen them at 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:45 pm, 4:30 pm, and at 5:00 pm, so pretty much anytime during daylight. I’d stop when I happen to be driving by.
      Best,
      Sean

      Reply
    1. Sean K. Post author

      Hi Deb,
      The otters are quite visible from the parking area and short trail. Here is the map, https://www.google.com/maps/place/Trowel+Shop+Pond/@42.1351839,-71.1658465,18z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89e4873740783bdf:0x8643a75f4b5aa6a1!8m2!3d42.1339867!4d-71.1647179.
      The parking area is small and dirt (mud right now) and there is a short trail that runs along the pond’s edge. If they are around and feeding, you can see them right from the parking lot, trail, or area right by the spill way.
      Best,
      Sean

      Reply
  2. Faith F Sandstrom

    Sean! These photos are fantastic! and right in Amy’s backyard! The Otters “fishing” techniques remind me of the Anhinga birds in the Everglades, Florida – where they stab the fish, then toss it about until they position it to go straight down the gullet! Wonderful Winter Photos . Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Sean K. Post author

      Hi Faith,
      Thank you for the wonderful comment, it’s been so amazing to have such a close look at them over the past 10 days. I fear that today or tomorrow will be the last day ice will be on the pond and then the otters will either move on or be much more difficult to see.
      Best,
      Sean

      Reply
  3. Julianne

    Amazing photos! Sometimes the best finds are when you aren’t actually looking. Glad you followed your instincts and went back to get a closer look at the blobs.

    Reply
    1. Sean K. Post author

      Hi,
      Thank you for the nice comment. It’s been a lot of fun to watch them over the past 10 days.
      Best,
      Sean

      Reply

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