Before my annual Coastal Brown Bear workshop begins, I always try to arrive on Kodiak Island a few days early. Most people would be counting the hours until the bears, but over the years I've learned that some of Alaska's best photography happens before the first floatplane ever leaves the dock.
One of my favourite stops is Antoine Larson Bay, where hundreds of Sea Otters gather among the floating kelp forests. They spend much of their day resting, grooming and feeding, often wrapping themselves in strands of kelp to prevent drifting away with the tide.
On this calm morning, one curious otter lifted its head and looked directly into my lens while dozens of others floated peacefully in the background. By working at water level and using a wide aperture, the colony melted into a sea of soft shapes, allowing this one individual to become the unmistakable centre of attention. It's a portrait that says as much about the animal's environment as it does about the otter itself.
Sea Otters have become one of my favourite Alaska subjects. They're endlessly entertaining, remarkably expressive and, when approached respectfully, often seem just as curious about us as we are about them. The real challenge isn't finding them—it's slowing down long enough to create something a little different. A low perspective, clean composition and direct eye contact can transform an ordinary wildlife sighting into a memorable photograph.
By the time my bear workshop begins, I've usually already filled a few memory cards. That's one of the things I love about Alaska. The journey to the bears is often every bit as rewarding as the bears themselves.
If you missed it, be sure to check out my earlier Sea Otter post from March: Old Man of the Sea — Grizzled Sea Otter Portrait | Katmai Coast Alaska Wildlife Photography. It's another reminder that while Alaska's Coastal Brown Bears may be the headline attraction, there's no shortage of incredible wildlife waiting to be photographed long before the bears arrive.
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