Otter
@otter.onl
Former newspaper comic strip creator/writer/illustrator/photographer and dad raising a bunch of active boys who love the outdoors on our remote nature preserve/camp property in the northern Canadian wilderness.
During winter I have to spend some time every day clearing snow off paths and driveways. It seems never ending but fortunately I have some eager workers who will bring out their heavy equipment to help tackle the big jobs.
#snow #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #snowplay #winter #otterkids #eastcoastkin
#snow #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #snowplay #winter #otterkids #eastcoastkin
January 14, 2026 at 12:44 AM
During winter I have to spend some time every day clearing snow off paths and driveways. It seems never ending but fortunately I have some eager workers who will bring out their heavy equipment to help tackle the big jobs.
#snow #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #snowplay #winter #otterkids #eastcoastkin
#snow #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #snowplay #winter #otterkids #eastcoastkin
Snowmobiler stops to watch and wave at a few deer on our driveway.
#deer #nature #wildlife #eastcoastkin
#deer #nature #wildlife #eastcoastkin
January 13, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Snowmobiler stops to watch and wave at a few deer on our driveway.
#deer #nature #wildlife #eastcoastkin
#deer #nature #wildlife #eastcoastkin
Ruffed grouse, coming right at ya.
I've photographed grouse on the property in all sorts of settings and angles but getting one head on like this was a first. Looks like he was aiming for me but he was not aware I was there taking pics.
#bird #grouse #birding #nature #wildlife #eastcoastkin 🌿
I've photographed grouse on the property in all sorts of settings and angles but getting one head on like this was a first. Looks like he was aiming for me but he was not aware I was there taking pics.
#bird #grouse #birding #nature #wildlife #eastcoastkin 🌿
January 13, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Climbing to the top of the hill is exhausting for little snowboarders. Best way to recover is to lie down and make snow angels for a few minutes.
#snowboarding #snowangel #kidsoutdoors #outdoorkids #winter #snow #otterkids
#snowboarding #snowangel #kidsoutdoors #outdoorkids #winter #snow #otterkids
January 12, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Climbing to the top of the hill is exhausting for little snowboarders. Best way to recover is to lie down and make snow angels for a few minutes.
#snowboarding #snowangel #kidsoutdoors #outdoorkids #winter #snow #otterkids
#snowboarding #snowangel #kidsoutdoors #outdoorkids #winter #snow #otterkids
Boys making a snowman - gouache and watercolor - painted years ago for a fundraiser (helping a local family raise funds for their son's medical expenses).
#artwork #painting #gouache #watercolour #watercolor #illustration #eastcoastkin #otterkids
#artwork #painting #gouache #watercolour #watercolor #illustration #eastcoastkin #otterkids
January 12, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Boys making a snowman - gouache and watercolor - painted years ago for a fundraiser (helping a local family raise funds for their son's medical expenses).
#artwork #painting #gouache #watercolour #watercolor #illustration #eastcoastkin #otterkids
#artwork #painting #gouache #watercolour #watercolor #illustration #eastcoastkin #otterkids
The backyard under 4 feet of snow and more coming down all this week. It's way over the boys' heads so they can't really get very far out there without snowshoes. Playing on the swings and monkey bars will have to wait until April.
#snow #snowscape #landscape #winter
#snow #snowscape #landscape #winter
January 12, 2026 at 8:14 PM
The backyard under 4 feet of snow and more coming down all this week. It's way over the boys' heads so they can't really get very far out there without snowshoes. Playing on the swings and monkey bars will have to wait until April.
#snow #snowscape #landscape #winter
#snow #snowscape #landscape #winter
It's a bit rare for us to see goldfinches this far north during the winter but sometimes a few will overwinter here.
#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #eastcoastkin #goldfinch
#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #eastcoastkin #goldfinch
January 12, 2026 at 6:08 PM
It's a bit rare for us to see goldfinches this far north during the winter but sometimes a few will overwinter here.
#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #eastcoastkin #goldfinch
#bird #birding #birdphotography #nature #eastcoastkin #goldfinch
The crash. This seems to be the main reason my boys go sledding. I hope it wears off by the time they reach driving age.
#crash #sledding #tobogganing #otterkids
#crash #sledding #tobogganing #otterkids
January 11, 2026 at 11:41 PM
The crash. This seems to be the main reason my boys go sledding. I hope it wears off by the time they reach driving age.
#crash #sledding #tobogganing #otterkids
#crash #sledding #tobogganing #otterkids
Autumn walk with some of the boys on one of the trails on the property. On warm fall days the air is filled with the heavy sweet scent of goldenrod and aster, and a constant hum of bees.
#nature #wildflowers #trail #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #otterkids #eastcoastkin
#nature #wildflowers #trail #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #otterkids #eastcoastkin
January 11, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Autumn walk with some of the boys on one of the trails on the property. On warm fall days the air is filled with the heavy sweet scent of goldenrod and aster, and a constant hum of bees.
#nature #wildflowers #trail #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #otterkids #eastcoastkin
#nature #wildflowers #trail #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #otterkids #eastcoastkin
I was surprised to see that chickadees can cling to slippery icicles, but then I guess they are virtually weightless so it's not quite the same as when I try to cling to icicles like this.
#chickadee #icicle #bird #birdphotography #birding #eastcoastkin
#chickadee #icicle #bird #birdphotography #birding #eastcoastkin
January 11, 2026 at 8:19 PM
I was surprised to see that chickadees can cling to slippery icicles, but then I guess they are virtually weightless so it's not quite the same as when I try to cling to icicles like this.
#chickadee #icicle #bird #birdphotography #birding #eastcoastkin
#chickadee #icicle #bird #birdphotography #birding #eastcoastkin
Deer try to keep out of the deepest snow so when they encounter a plowed driveway or shovelled path they'll often follow it, even if it only leads to our front door. We don't get many visitors out here so it's fun when those randoms show up on the doorstep.
#wildlife #deer #nature #eastcoastkin
#wildlife #deer #nature #eastcoastkin
January 11, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Deer try to keep out of the deepest snow so when they encounter a plowed driveway or shovelled path they'll often follow it, even if it only leads to our front door. We don't get many visitors out here so it's fun when those randoms show up on the doorstep.
#wildlife #deer #nature #eastcoastkin
#wildlife #deer #nature #eastcoastkin
I hope the #caturday police won't notice the counterfeit I'm trying to pass here but I like to live dangerously so here it is. A church roof that looks like a cat's head from this angle. Same church as in the 1959 Chevy truck post shared on Jan 2.
#photography #eastcoastkin
#photography #eastcoastkin
January 11, 2026 at 12:49 AM
I hope the #caturday police won't notice the counterfeit I'm trying to pass here but I like to live dangerously so here it is. A church roof that looks like a cat's head from this angle. Same church as in the 1959 Chevy truck post shared on Jan 2.
#photography #eastcoastkin
#photography #eastcoastkin
One of my little goalies caught way out of position but managed to make the save.
#sportsphotography #sports #hockey #icehockey #goalie #otterkids
#sportsphotography #sports #hockey #icehockey #goalie #otterkids
January 10, 2026 at 10:41 PM
One of my little goalies caught way out of position but managed to make the save.
#sportsphotography #sports #hockey #icehockey #goalie #otterkids
#sportsphotography #sports #hockey #icehockey #goalie #otterkids
Fox napping in snow at the edge of our pond. I was a bit concerned as it was extremely cold, sub-zero, and he slept like this for hours, but he was fine. As soon as the sun left that spot he moved on. Still returns regularly to our fields.
#wildlife #nature #fox #eastcoastkin #wildlifephotography 🌿
#wildlife #nature #fox #eastcoastkin #wildlifephotography 🌿
January 9, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Fox napping in snow at the edge of our pond. I was a bit concerned as it was extremely cold, sub-zero, and he slept like this for hours, but he was fine. As soon as the sun left that spot he moved on. Still returns regularly to our fields.
#wildlife #nature #fox #eastcoastkin #wildlifephotography 🌿
#wildlife #nature #fox #eastcoastkin #wildlifephotography 🌿
Boys climbing the toboggan hill trying to squeeze a few more rides in before dark. For the little guys a climb like this seems like mountaineering - the theme of the watercolor painting in my previous post.
#sledding #sunset #tobogganing #snowplay #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #otterkids
#sledding #sunset #tobogganing #snowplay #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #otterkids
January 8, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Boys climbing the toboggan hill trying to squeeze a few more rides in before dark. For the little guys a climb like this seems like mountaineering - the theme of the watercolor painting in my previous post.
#sledding #sunset #tobogganing #snowplay #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #otterkids
#sledding #sunset #tobogganing #snowplay #outdoorkids #kidsoutdoors #otterkids
An old watercolour illustration I did, depicting the struggle we imagined in trying to get our sled to the top of a "mountain". Now my boys see their climbing expeditions on the sledding hills the same way.
#illustration #painting #art #artwork #watercolor #watercolour #kidlitart #sledding
#illustration #painting #art #artwork #watercolor #watercolour #kidlitart #sledding
January 8, 2026 at 10:04 PM
An old watercolour illustration I did, depicting the struggle we imagined in trying to get our sled to the top of a "mountain". Now my boys see their climbing expeditions on the sledding hills the same way.
#illustration #painting #art #artwork #watercolor #watercolour #kidlitart #sledding
#illustration #painting #art #artwork #watercolor #watercolour #kidlitart #sledding
When the winter sky looks like this we know snow squalls are near. It is interesting when they blow in to give us such sudden heavy snows all while the sun is still shining.
#stormysky #landscape #landscapephotography #trees #forest
#stormysky #landscape #landscapephotography #trees #forest
January 8, 2026 at 8:10 PM
When the winter sky looks like this we know snow squalls are near. It is interesting when they blow in to give us such sudden heavy snows all while the sun is still shining.
#stormysky #landscape #landscapephotography #trees #forest
#stormysky #landscape #landscapephotography #trees #forest
When my boys aren't playing hockey I can find them on the toboggan hill. They love sledding and will play on the hills as long as they have snow, which usually lasts here into April.
#sledding #tobogganing #winter #snow #winterfun #snowplay #kidsoutdoors #outdoorkids #otterkids
#sledding #tobogganing #winter #snow #winterfun #snowplay #kidsoutdoors #outdoorkids #otterkids
January 8, 2026 at 6:51 PM
When my boys aren't playing hockey I can find them on the toboggan hill. They love sledding and will play on the hills as long as they have snow, which usually lasts here into April.
#sledding #tobogganing #winter #snow #winterfun #snowplay #kidsoutdoors #outdoorkids #otterkids
#sledding #tobogganing #winter #snow #winterfun #snowplay #kidsoutdoors #outdoorkids #otterkids
Red barn in the snow.
Not bad here today, compared to coldest spot in Canada - Little Chicago NT: -47.2 °C/-52.96°F. Not surprisingly its population is 0. Is surprising that temp readings are gathered anyway.
#barn #redbarn #winter #snow #rural #farm #farmlife #country #photography #eastcoastkin
Not bad here today, compared to coldest spot in Canada - Little Chicago NT: -47.2 °C/-52.96°F. Not surprisingly its population is 0. Is surprising that temp readings are gathered anyway.
#barn #redbarn #winter #snow #rural #farm #farmlife #country #photography #eastcoastkin
January 8, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Red barn in the snow.
Not bad here today, compared to coldest spot in Canada - Little Chicago NT: -47.2 °C/-52.96°F. Not surprisingly its population is 0. Is surprising that temp readings are gathered anyway.
#barn #redbarn #winter #snow #rural #farm #farmlife #country #photography #eastcoastkin
Not bad here today, compared to coldest spot in Canada - Little Chicago NT: -47.2 °C/-52.96°F. Not surprisingly its population is 0. Is surprising that temp readings are gathered anyway.
#barn #redbarn #winter #snow #rural #farm #farmlife #country #photography #eastcoastkin
Frozen waterfall - formed by a spring that supplies a trickle of water year round.
Quick noob question on Starter Packs - yay or nay? Some say they're good for getting started here - others say they had accounts locked/flagged as spam for using it. 🤷♂️
#ice #frozen #photography #winter #eastcoastkin
Quick noob question on Starter Packs - yay or nay? Some say they're good for getting started here - others say they had accounts locked/flagged as spam for using it. 🤷♂️
#ice #frozen #photography #winter #eastcoastkin
January 7, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Frozen waterfall - formed by a spring that supplies a trickle of water year round.
Quick noob question on Starter Packs - yay or nay? Some say they're good for getting started here - others say they had accounts locked/flagged as spam for using it. 🤷♂️
#ice #frozen #photography #winter #eastcoastkin
Quick noob question on Starter Packs - yay or nay? Some say they're good for getting started here - others say they had accounts locked/flagged as spam for using it. 🤷♂️
#ice #frozen #photography #winter #eastcoastkin
One of my little goalies in his favourite place to be during winter.
#sportsphotography #sports #hockey #icehockey #goalie #otterkids
#sportsphotography #sports #hockey #icehockey #goalie #otterkids
January 7, 2026 at 7:08 PM
One of my little goalies in his favourite place to be during winter.
#sportsphotography #sports #hockey #icehockey #goalie #otterkids
#sportsphotography #sports #hockey #icehockey #goalie #otterkids
All winter the grandmothers and aunties pour their creativity, craftsmanship and attention to detail into making regalia for the boys to use at summer pow wows. Impressive artists they are.
#native #nativeamerican #indigenous #firstnations #powwow #saulteaux #cree #Cowessess #otterkids
#native #nativeamerican #indigenous #firstnations #powwow #saulteaux #cree #Cowessess #otterkids
January 7, 2026 at 3:27 PM
All winter the grandmothers and aunties pour their creativity, craftsmanship and attention to detail into making regalia for the boys to use at summer pow wows. Impressive artists they are.
#native #nativeamerican #indigenous #firstnations #powwow #saulteaux #cree #Cowessess #otterkids
#native #nativeamerican #indigenous #firstnations #powwow #saulteaux #cree #Cowessess #otterkids
