NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com

UK Otters v Octopus

By Rebecca Drew

SPECTACULAR images have revealed the moment a hungry otter devoured an octopus for its lunch off the coast of the Shetland Isles.

NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com
NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com

The incredible series of shots show an otter munching down on a tentacle and dragging its catch in from the sea. Another spectacular photograph shows two cute otters enjoying a Lady and the Tramp moment as they nibble the mollusc from opposites sides.

NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com
NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com

In other images, two playful otters can be seen wrestling in the water.

NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com
NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com

The stunning images were taken by ecological photographer, Dr Richard Shucksmith (43) at the Shetland Isles. To take his pictures, Richard used a Nikon camera, a brand he has used for 20-years.

“I love otters, particularly coastal otters and spending time watching these animals gave me the idea for the project,” said Richard.

“I was able to take these shots by spending a lot of time in the field and really getting to know otters.

“That way you can spend time with them without disturbing them, so you see and record their natural behaviour.

“I had to really get to know the coastline and this family of otters, it takes many days in the field to do this.”

NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com
NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com

Richard took these images for a project called, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture, which is a team of media professionals who produce high-impact visual communications, which fuse ecological science with inspiring storytelling.

Richard says that he wants his photographs to promote healthier seas for the creatures that live in them.

“The marine environment and particularly the coastal edge are important for otters.

“The need for healthy seas and to look after the seas for everyone, that includes all marine life and for people is important.

“Seventy percent of the world’s oxygen is produced by marine plants. They provide a service so we can live on this planet and without it we would not be here.”

For more information see: http://www.scotlandbigpicture.com/

NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com
NPL, SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Dr Richard Shucksmith / mediadrumworld.com