Christmas present on a short walk by the river

It was a dismal day for weather; started with rain which then eased off for a short run on the Scar, but in low cloud! A lot brighter this afternoon with a little sunlight, so we went for a walk alongside the Kent, on the way to visiting our new grandson.

We've looked out for the Kendal otter(s?) several times, without success. But a blip & super photo yesterday confirmed they were still about and we were rewarded with this amazing Christmas present today.

The otter put on a fine show, fishing in the middle of the river and then, to coos of delight from the wife, it swam towards us and explored the bank just below where we were standing.

Odd, isn't it - in the middle of a town and, last year, at Waterhead. As with a lot of wildlife, it's not human proximity on its own that's the problem, it's habitat damage, food loss and chemicals that really hit these populations.