25th summer
Jun. 7th, 2007 12:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
otterfamilyMy 25th summer of otter watching officially began yesterday, and it was a very happy beginning, indeed. First, I confirmed that Slick really is back home! He's 5 now, and seeing him up close for the first time in months, I noted that his fur's starting to get a little grizzled-looking around his head and neck, which befits his entry into otter middle age. I still find myself calling him "The Kid" when I dictate my notes, though. Old habits die hard!
I was also happy that I got to spend over an hour watching the new mom and baby. I have to tell you – it is SO GREAT to see a mother here who is truly competent. I haven't seen the likes of this female in the last 15 summers. In terms of her maternal behavior, the new mom is truly a reincarnation of Old Mama. She's focused like a laser beam on her motherly duties. And I'm still just totally blown away by how much she looks (and acts) like Scarnose. Scar left no descendants, though, so the new mother can't be directly related, but I've long suspected that most if not all of the individuals presently living along the coast north of Little River ultimately derive from the same bloodline dating back to the 1950s, when otters recolonized the area. I really do wish I could find out exactly where this mom came from and how she was related to Old Mama's matrilineage, but I know that's impossible to determine with certitude. Whatever, I'm just so glad she's here!
I still haven't thunk up a name for her, though. No clue yet what sex the baby is, either. I'm hoping for a female, of course. And for siblings! It's still not too late for others to appear...
I was also happy that I got to spend over an hour watching the new mom and baby. I have to tell you – it is SO GREAT to see a mother here who is truly competent. I haven't seen the likes of this female in the last 15 summers. In terms of her maternal behavior, the new mom is truly a reincarnation of Old Mama. She's focused like a laser beam on her motherly duties. And I'm still just totally blown away by how much she looks (and acts) like Scarnose. Scar left no descendants, though, so the new mother can't be directly related, but I've long suspected that most if not all of the individuals presently living along the coast north of Little River ultimately derive from the same bloodline dating back to the 1950s, when otters recolonized the area. I really do wish I could find out exactly where this mom came from and how she was related to Old Mama's matrilineage, but I know that's impossible to determine with certitude. Whatever, I'm just so glad she's here!
I still haven't thunk up a name for her, though. No clue yet what sex the baby is, either. I'm hoping for a female, of course. And for siblings! It's still not too late for others to appear...
