Watch mama otter and her 3 cubs ‘skate’ on frozen lake

By Sophie Watson via SWNS

A wildlife photographer spent several weeks tracking a female otter and her three cubs to capture these incredible images of them "ice skating" on a frozen lake.

Tony Marshall, 51, was left amazed when he spotted the elusive creatures making their way across the icy terrain as temperatures plummeted to -3°C ( 26°F) on Sunday, December 18.

He captured the moment the playful cubs scampered across Rutland Water Nature Reserve while following their mother towards the water bank.

The part-time photographer had been tracking the family of otters over the last month at the beauty spot in Oakham, Rutland, and plotting their movements on a map.

And he was delighted when the usually shy creatures came out into the open to mischievously cross the frozen lake right in front of his eyes.

Tony, a tradesman, from Oakham, England said: “I had been tracking the otters over the last four weeks and following their routines to try and snap some photos of them.

“On the day it was minus three degrees, and I questioned what I was doing out in these conditions.

“But then I was able to catch these photos and it made it all worth it.

“As a photographer you are always trying to get the shots no one else is able to, and I haven’t seen many able to get photos like this.

“I am very pleased with how they worked out. As a wildlife photographer these photos are what you aim for.”

Despite living in the area, Tony had only managed split-second glimpses of the elusive creatures until recently.

His luck started to change two weeks ago when he was able to capture a male dog otter tucking into a carp on the banks of the nature reserve.

And this weekend Tony captured the very special sighting of the mother otter and her cubs together on the frozen water.

The former RAF aircraft engineer of 23 years added: “They are elusive creatures to catch on a camera.

“They move so quickly and are very private animals so like to stay away from humans.

“Trying to catch photos of them has become an addiction, but a healthy addiction of course.

“I am always looking to capture something a bit unusual that no one else has got.”