In the Otter world, older mothers are considered the best mothers.  The younger mothers are still learning and have difficulty protecting and providing for their young.  The older they are the higher the baby’s survival rate.  If an Otter is over 11 years old, there is almost 100% survival rate of the young.

What a reversal from our human perspective. I loved this picture as it captures the mother’s protective embrace, while the baby explores and takes in all the discovery with eyes wide open.  I think play involves this approach of life with curiosity and discovery, while being held in the protection of love.