Mother and Child

Sea otters are commonly seen along much of Alaska's coastline. They are plentiful from Prince William Sound north/westward to the Aleutian Islands. Female sea otters make excellent parents tending to their young for up to eight months teaching them what it takes to survive in their cold, watery world. As in this photo they are commonly seen carrying the young one aboard their belly to keep them out of the icy water. The otters' fur provides insulation by retaining air thus keeping the cold water from actually reaching the otters' skin. Until they become strong swimmers this air provides so much buoyancy that baby otters can't dive to avoid danger. The mother must clutch the baby to her chest and carry it underwater with her to avoid predation by eagles or other potential non-marine predators.

Photo shot with Nikon D7000 and 200-400VR lens with 1.4x TC.
550mm, 1/640s, f/5.6, ISO 1600