February 2007

Photos of Cormorants in Flight

California, La Jolla, Photo of the Day, Wildlife

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.
Image ID: 15280
Species: Double-crested cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Cormorant in flight, blurred as it speeds over the ocean.
Image ID: 18462
Species: Cormorants, Phalacrocorax
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Sunrise Seagull

California, Photo of the Day, Wildlife

A Western gull (Larus occidentalis) in pink predawn light, 30 minutes before sunrise, La Jolla.

Western gull, early morning pink sky.
Image ID: 18394
Species: Western gull, Larus occidentalis
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Happy Valentines Day

California, Elephant Seal, Wildlife

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.

Elephant seals in the surf, showing extreme dimorphism, males (5000 lb) are triple the size of females (1700 lb). Central California.
Image ID: 15497
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California, USA

Photo of a Humpback Whale Singing

Hawaii, Humpback Whale, Photo of the Day, Wildlife

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.

Humpback whale (male) singing.
Image ID: 02802
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii, USA

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.

Boomer Beach Bodysurf

California, La Jolla, Surf

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.
Image ID: 18280
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Boomer Beach, bodysurfing.
Image ID: 18281
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Mavericks Surf Photo

Surf

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.

2006 Mavericks surf contest champion Grant Twiggy Baker of South Africa. Final round, Mavericks surf contest, February 7, 2006.
Image ID: 15299
Location: Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, California, USA

More 2006 Mavericks Surf Contest photos.