Sea Otter on Shore Leave
The sea otters of Moss Landing are marvelous creatures. Seemingly posing all day for photographers in a little bay, I even had one of them coming to shore for me. In the light of the setting sun, he seemingly wanted to afford me a unique photograph. Maybe he was curious at this strange creature with this clicking device observing him.
Once hunted close to extinction, California’s population of well over 2000 otters all stem from a single colony that survived the hunt for their fur. Most otters populate the Central California Coast between San Francisco and Santa Barbara.
I have seen otters in Monterey and Pacific Grove, but never as close as I have at Moss Landing, making Moss Landing one of the best places for otter photography.
How to get there
Driving Highway 1 from north to south, take the Moss Landing Road exit to your right and stop at the small bay full of boats. Walk around and look for the otters between the boats. The GPS location below is the exact spot where the otters often hang out and sleep on their back most of the day.
GPS position
The Otters were exactly at this spot: 36°48’0.35″N 121°47’4.78″W
How to photograph the Otters of Moss Landing
Sea Otter Swimming and Eating
You need a long telephoto lens to shoot the otters up close. Since I did not have such a lens, I tried to stay with the otters that were moving and I got lucky twice in a row. I followed them on foot around the little peninsula. Meanwhile the sea otters were swimming on their back and cleaning themselves or eating crab like this little one here.
I had the advantage of having the otters for myself while they were backstroking along the shore. I kept my focus on them and took a nice series of photographs, discovering much about the personality of these remarkable creatures.
If you have a lot of equipment, a long lens (400mm or more) and a tripod, stay near the spot I marked on the GPS. With a smaller setup, you can walk around the boats and discover some of the more active otters there.
The peaceful harbor offers enough photographic excitement until the sea otters show up. The nearby state beaches and Elkhorn slough are worth the trip.
Best Time of the Day and Best Season
During the afternoon, the otters are most active, foraging for food, and cleaning. This is the best time of the day to photograph them. I took the picture at the top of this posting near the end of the day, where I had to boost ISO levels. This is not a sunset location.
Time required
It is hard to predict how long you will need. Just stop when you pass on Highway 1 and take some time to look around. When the otters are out, you will most likely lose track of time anyways.
Equipment
- Telephoto Lens
- Lens Extender
- Tripod
- High ISO camera
Difficulty Photographing
The otters keep their distance, which makes it hard to follow them once they get moving. Even if your lens has image stabilization, you need to keep the exposure time below 1/125s once the otters move.
Sea Otters are endangered species. No matter how excited you may get, please keep your distance and do not disturb them!
Close Locations
- Monterey Wharf
- Monterey Cannery Row
- Pacific Grove
- 17 mile drive
- Butterflies of Monarch Grove Sanctuary
- Capitola
- Santa Cruz Harbor and Walton Lighthouse
- Santa Cruz Wharf and Boardwalk
- Santa Cruz Cliff Drive and Lighthouse Point
- Santa Cruz Natural Bridges State Park
- US-35 Skyline Boulevard
- Carmel by the Sea
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8 Comments
Good information here, Andre. Moss Landing is a great place to photograph the otters. I also went on the Elkhorn Slough Safari – a boat trip out of Moss Landing. The rafts of otters in the slough were absolutely incredible.
One thing we can’t stress enough is that the California Sea Otter is endangered and we humans need to give them their space. So don’t try to chase them. If you are lucky as we were one day at the marina in Monterey, we had two swim up to where we were standing and then glide on by. They were actually too close for my lens to focus!
God I can’t wait to go back to the Central California Coast!
Hi! Thanks for visiting my site. Love the Otters. I have tried to photograph them – sneaky little guys.
Really interesting site you have; different take on the whole photo realm of things.
This post makes me homesick for Salinas. Never thought I would say that either! And one of my favorite Mexican restaurants is in Moss Landing. So you can take photos AND eat great food there!
Gayle
I assume you are referring to “The whole Enchilada”? It looks very inviting. I should check it out one day.
Just stumbled across your site searching Big Sur.
On a 1400 mile whirlwind tour of California (my 1st time out West),I was lucky enough to stop for lunch at this gem of a place. What I found here just blew my mind. Sea Otters,Sea Lions,and all kinds of feathered friends. Some of the shots I took are here > http://tinyurl.com/y94bypa
I will be visiting again later this month,and am concentrating my stay on the coast,with Marina,Ca as my launching pad. The coast is now in my blood. Just wish it was closer to Syracuse,NY.
Hey Chris,
thanks for stopping by. It’s a pleasure to have you here. I agree with you, the California Coast is exceptionally beautiful.
Let me know if you need advise about your upcoming trip. I have been to many places that I have yet to write about.
I only disagree on one thing, I am glad the coast is where it is, since this happens to be my neighborhood
I have the following on my “hit list”. If you have any recommendations for or near the following,I’m all ears. Have you ever gone out on a whale watch ?
3 MILE BEACH – SANTA CRUZ
WILDER RANCH – SANTA CRUZ
JETTY RD – MOSS LANDING
ELKHORN SLOUGH – MOSS LANDING
Marina State Beach – Dune Nature Trail
MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH
Pacific Grove Asilomar Coast Trail
Point Lobos State Reserve
Garrapata State Park
BIXBY BRIDGE – OLD COAST ROAD
HURRICANE POINT
Point Sur Lighthouse and State Historic Park
PFEIFFER BEACH
MCWAY FALLS
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd
Sand Dollar Beach Trail
Jade Cove
Willow Creek
WR Hearst State Beach
My wife and I are heading to Moss Landing for the weekend. I appreciate all your comments and photography . Lunch-at Whole Encilada for sure. I’ll post my photos.