Photograph of an otter's dust-bath site in Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The dirt-and-gravel surface is disturbed into a vague pattern of curves and peaks, marking where the otter rolled. I was disappointed that there weren't any clear footprints, only wriggle-prints.

When a group of hikers approached from the other direction, the otter dashed into the water too quickly for my photography reflexes.

All that was left were wriggle-marks. If I hadn't seen the dust bath, I couldn't have read "otter" in this pattern.

#BackBayWildlifeRefuge #otter #mammals #tracks

Photograph of an otter sniffing through a clump of grass at the edge of a gravel path at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The otter has a long muzzle; short ears; a long, limber back; dense, sleek hair; short legs; and a long tail. The gravel path is bordered by mown grass and a tall verge of reeds. The reeds are casting long shadows across the path.

...and stopped to investigate an interesting scent.

#BackBayWildlifeRefuge #otter #mammals

Photograph of an otter, mid-stride, crossing a gravel path at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The otter has a long muzzle; short ears; a long, limber back; dense, sleek hair; short legs; and a long tail. The gravel path is bordered by mown grass and a tall verge of reeds. The reeds are casting long shadows across the path.

As the otter reached the far side of the path, it slowed to a walk...

#BackBayWildlifeRefuge #otter #mammals

Photograph of an otter, mid-stride, crossing a gravel path at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The otter has a long muzzle; short ears; a long, limber back; dense, sleek hair; short legs; and a long tail. The gravel path is bordered by mown grass and a tall verge of reeds. The reeds are casting long shadows across the path.

...galumph...

#BackBayWildlifeRefuge #otter #mammals

Photograph of an otter mid-stride, beginning to galumph across a gravel path at Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The otter has a long muzzle; short ears; a long, limber back; dense, sleek hair; short legs; and a long tail. The gravel path is bordered by mown grass and a tall verge of reeds. The reeds are casting long shadows across the path.

The otter finished its dust bath and took a bathroom break on one side of the path, then galumphed back across...

#BackBayWildlifeRefuge #otter #mammals

Photograph of an otter rolling in the dust on a dry gravel path in Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The otter is doing a shoulder-first luxury roll before wriggling on its back in the gravel. The otter has a long, limber back; dense, sleek hair; short legs; and a long tail. The gravel path is bordered by mown grass and a tall verge of reeds. The reeds are casting long shadows across the path.

My lens was long enough for photos, without getting too close for the otter's comfort.

#BackBayWildlifeRefuge #otter #mammals

Photograph of an otter resting on a gravel path. The otter is looking at the camera, alert and ready to flee if I prove threatening. The otter has a long muzzle; short ears; a long, limber back; dense, sleek hair; short legs; and a long tail. The gravel path is bordered by mown grass and a tall verge of reeds. The reeds are casting long shadows across the path.

A long time ago, in a refuge not so far away, I happened upon an otter enjoying a dust bath on a gravel path...

#BackBayWildlifeRefuge #otter #addMam

Me and my Irish Setter, Bo, who I lost in 2023, on the beach.

An orange and yellow sunset over the water with a wood walkway along the edge of the water.

Various planes at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach. I don’t even have any interest in planes and I find this place fascinating.

An orange sunrise behind thick clouds over the ocean.

26 Day Alphabet Travel Photo Challenge Day “V”
#TravelPhotoChallenge

Virginia Beach, Virginia.

#VirginiaBeach

#BackbayWildlifeRefuge

#MilitaryAviationMuseum