Cormorants (Phalacrocorax sp.) flying low over the ocean, speeding offshore before sunrise to forage for food before returning to rest on cliffs later in the day. La Jolla.
|
Double-crested cormorants in flight at sunrise, long exposure produces a blurred motion. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 15280
Species: Phalacrocorax auritus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA
 View this Image in Google Earth!
|
|
Cormorant in flight, blurred as it speeds over the ocean. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 18462
Species: Phalacrocorax sp.
Location: La Jolla, California, USA
View this Image in Google Earth!
|
A Western gull (Larus occidentalis) in pink predawn light, 30 minutes before sunrise, La Jolla.
Elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) showing extreme sexual dimorphism (difference between sexes). Male elephant seals can be 3-4 times as massive as females. Central California.
A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) singing, Hawaii. This was shot under research permit as part of the research activities of the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation. It is virtually certain that only male humpback whales sing since genetic sampling of singers has never revealed a female. This one was hanging motionless 40′ under the surface for the duration of the 15 minute song. The same song is sung by all humpback whales in the North Pacific basin in a given year, gradually changing from year to year. A few remaining barnacles from cold northern waters are visible on the right tip of the fluke and around the genital slit on the whale’s underside; these barnacles will die and fall off the warmer Hawaiian waters.
More humpback whale photos.
This photograph was taken during Hawaii Whale Research Foundation research activities conducted under provisions of NOAA / NMFS and State of Hawaii scientific research permits.
Some heavy surf this morning in La Jolla. It’s difficult to get a good shot of this wave as it is crumbly and not particularly attractive, the angle from shore is straight on and the wave is not hollow. Here are a couple guys who took off while I was there this morning.
|
Boomer Beach, bodysurfing. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 18281
Location: La Jolla, California, USA
View this Image in Google Earth!
|
|
Boomer Beach, bodysurfing. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 18280
Location: La Jolla, California, USA
View this Image in Google Earth!
|
Grant “Twiggy” Baker, on his way to winning the 2006 running of the Mavericks Surf Contest. This was one of my two favorite frames of the day. I hope to get up there again for the 2007 contest. These guys are superb athletes taking on a truly impressive wave in style. Amazing.
More 2006 Mavericks Surf Contest photos.
