An ugly mug?

Turns out my big idea of photo and video didn't turn out quite as I hoped. So now I am sitting here, contemplating. On the meaning of the Ouseburn Otter. Time to resurrect the idea of the underwater camera? Time to admit to defeat and move onto more accommodating wildlife? I can't. I will not allow an otter to outsmart me. Even one as genetically enhanced as this one. What to do.

Wha - at to do.



Lets turn to the Derwent Haugh for a minute. Now there's a success story. Almost. I have got some great footage of these Tyne otters and my cameras have got some big love from them. But what about the gymnastic manoeuvres? The ladders are proving invaluable for slipping back into the water but how are they getting onto the pontoon in the first place? Probably the ladders (yes, yes I know) but wouldn't it be great if there was some torpedo otter action going on in the early hours of the morning? And I managed to film it? David Attenborough eat your heart out! Here's what I've got so far ....

Now these are the Hells Angels of the otter world. No meagre tributaries for these guys. They cruise the Tyne. The mother of the Newcastle rivers. The dividing line. They are big, mean fighting machines. Just look at those scars. The utter fearlessness. The sheer disdain. The Ouseburn Otter is a wimp. Not cunning. Not conniving. Not clever. Just plain scared. Or ugly. Why else would it be avoiding the cameras at all costs.

Well, I feel better already. Re-inspired. Lets get rolling and get that ugly mug on film.

One last trick up my sleeve

So I braved checking the cameras at last and (I bet you can guess whats coming), I found a lovely selection of otter bum. Time to bring out the big guns. I have a trick up my sleeve. Oh yes, I do. This trick is more commonly known (to the camera aficionado) as the Reconyx Rapid Fire High Output Covert Colour IR RC60HO. It doesn't miss a thing. Up until now, I have put off using this particular camera in my hunt for the otter as it takes only photographs and since I was desperate for video footage of the Ouseburn Otter, I didn't think it was worth putting it out. I also didn't think that getting said footage would be so darn difficult! I have become so beaten down by this otter, that I will now settle for a mere photograph! There will of course still be a video-taking camera rolling in the background as I'm not one to miss an opportunity and what better way to stick it to the Ouseburn Otter than to get a video AND a picture of him. I can't wait.

Thanks to those of you who have emailed in asking about the Ouseburn Otter and promising to keep an eye out for him - I guess braving the conker fall-out was worth it after all. I'm expecting big things.

In other camera news, I have been filming an acrobatic hedgehog in Fenham who has shown a lot more willing than the Ouseburn Otter. It is a bit of a bully (and a little dim it must be said) and seems to love the limelight (shoving those out of the way that dare to take his place) - the perfect candidate for a WildPlaces star in the making. I'm already looking forward to the Spring when DaveCam will be back up, hopefully catching the bully's offspring in action.

Along the Derwent Haugh, cameras are also lurking, poised to capture the antics of a few cheeky otters using a pontoon as their plaything. The pontoon is quite high up off the water (in otter terms that is) so I'm expecting some pretty spectacular otter gymnastics - who knew an otter could climb a ladder, or possibly shoot straight up and out of the water (like a seal, so I guess thats not entirely out of the question) or maybe they are using each other as a live otter ladder. Who knows. I can't wait to find out though.

Fingers crossed that this last trick up my sleeve will prove to be just what the otter ordered and I will have the naughty, naughty critter on film once and for all.