On Thursday at Ridgefield NWR, Clay Davis witnessed a natural
spectacle. I told him I would report the following for him as he does
not use a computer:

Near the Hunters' Gate on the River "S" Unit, Clay Davis spotted a lone
River Otter swimming in the water control canal prior to the Hunters'
Gate. The Otter exited the water for a moment, then reentered the
water well behind 3 American Coots and then submerged. Clay focused on
the Otter's small ripples and bubbles as they approached the three
unknowing Coots from their rear.

All of a sudden, the Otter surfaced directly under the center Coot and
firmly lifted the Coot out of the water. The Otter immediately
submerged again while the Coot began protesting loudly. Clay said the
"take" was so quiet that the other 2 Coots were unshaken until their
companion's loud protestations got their attention. They then flew
off.

The Otter stayed under until the Coot was presumably drowned, and then
the Otter surfaced, moved out of the water onto the dike and took the
Coot to lunch. Clay said that when the Otter finished its lunch, there
were only wings and feet left.

Nature plays out whether folks are there to witness the drama or not.


Bill Clemons for Clay Davis



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