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Canon RF 70-200MM F4L IS USM also features weather sealing and special coatings to guard against dust and water, plus heat-resistant paint to reflect harsh sunlight. This durability in all weathers enabled Lucia to photograph a rare encounter with an otter while hiking through wetlands in the rain.
"The otter was quite an incredible, emotional experience,” explains Lucia. "You spend a lot of time walking, spotting the wildlife, tracking and then getting in the right position. I've spent a lot of time photographing otters in Alaska or trying to – but they're very elusive and with a 70-200mm lens you've got to be pretty close to get a detailed shot.
"I'd seen a few otters out to sea, but I'd kind of given up. Then on the walk back, I saw what looked like seaweed. I sprinted down and spotted an otter making a beeline for the shore."
Lucia had just seconds to set up for her shot on the seaweed-covered rocks before the otter resurfaced, so lens portability was paramount. "If the otter had seen me it wouldn't have come in. I sprinted along the slippery rocks and then just dived down. I was camouflaged on the rock and the otter swam right up in front of me. The lens was so lightweight I could hold it with one hand, so I didn't have to move. Anything heavier would have required two hands and I wouldn't have got the shot. It was very spontaneous."