North American River Otter pup emerging through duckweed with green plants covering its whiskers and face, staring directly at the camera.

River Otter Pup in Duckweed

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After sharing photos of two North American River Otter pups yesterday, I couldn’t resist following up with this image of one of them exploring in the duckweed at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. The pup repeatedly popped its head up through the thick green mat, pausing to look straight at me with an inquisitive expression that turned the moment into something unforgettable.

North American River Otter pup emerging through duckweed with green plants covering its whiskers and face, staring directly at the camera.
A young North American River Otter pup pops its head through a mat of duckweed at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, pausing with a curious look.

Wildlife Notes: North American River Otter Pups in Duckweed

Duckweed (Lemna minor) covers the surface of many of the refuge’s sloughs, creating a dense layer of greenery that almost looks like solid ground. For a young otter, it is both playground and puzzle. This pup dove beneath the surface, pushed up through the floating plants, and turned his head to check me out each time he emerged.

He wasn’t hunting or wrestling with his sibling, just studying me with the same curiosity I felt watching him. Otter pups are known for their playful nature, but this behavior showed another side—their constant urge to investigate and learn about the world around them. Duckweed, while simple in appearance, provided a natural stage for his explorations and added a unique layer to the encounter.

Photography Notes and Wildlife Photography Tips

Photographing in a shaded slough presented some challenges, especially with a fast-moving subject. I was using the Canon EOS R5 paired with the Canon RF 100–500mm F4.5–7.1 L IS USM lens at 500mm. Here are the settings for the shot:

  • Date/Time: August 18, 2022, at 10:18 a.m.
  • Mode: Manual
  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Shutter Speed: 1/2500 sec
  • ISO: 4000 (Auto)
  • Exposure Compensation: +1/3 EV
  • Focal Length: 500mm

The fast shutter speed froze the pup’s quick dives and sudden head pops. At ƒ/8, I held enough depth of field to keep both the otter’s face and surrounding duckweed sharp. The higher ISO was necessary in the lower light, but the balance kept the exposure clean and detailed.

For anyone photographing otters in aquatic habitats:

  • Use a long telephoto lens to give the animals space.
  • Keep your shutter speed high, at least 1/1000 sec, to freeze motion.
  • Focus on the eyes—they carry the story of the image.
  • Be patient and let the behavior guide your framing.
  • Take advantage of soft morning or late-day light for the best tones.

As I watched this pup rise and fall through the duckweed, it was clear he was as curious about me as I was about him. Wildlife photography is about more than documenting a species—it’s about these fleeting exchanges, when the line between observer and observed feels wonderfully thin.