California Sea Lion Pups in the Coronado Islands

In early November I spent a day diving with California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Lobster Shack at the North Island was place to be since that’s where a great colony of sea lions is. Conditions were excellent, about as good as diving in the Coronados gets. Photographer friend Allison had set up the trip as a birthday celebration for a friend who wanted to get with sea lions, so the date was chosen to coincide with the best sea lion diving. In November pups are bold enough to let their inquisitive nature get the best of them, eagerly approaching and playing with divers, while the territoriality of adult males has waned enough that the bulls do not hold the pups back nor do they brush divers away from the females they are courting.

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34575
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Not to be confused with San Diego’s “Coronado Island”, Mexico’s Coronado Islands is a group of rugged, barren and uninhabited islands just south of the border, visible from San Diego and Tijuana. You can just make out our boat “Humboldt” at the far northern end of the Coronado’s northernmost island:

Aerial Photo of North Coronado Island, southern point looking north, Baja California, Mexico, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

Aerial Photo of North Coronado Island, southern point looking north, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34569
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Over 30 years I’ve made a pseudo-career of photographing sea lions, in as many places as I can get to to see and dive with them. It never gets old. Spending time in the water with sea lions of any species is my favorite thing to do in the ocean. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

California sea lion, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lion, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34576
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34578
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34579
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34580
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lions underwater, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34581
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Invasive sargassum, Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Sargassum horneri

Invasive sargassum, Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34573
Species: Sargassum, Sargassum horneri

California sea lion, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lion, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34582
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lion, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34584
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

California sea lion, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Zalophus californianus, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)

California sea lion, Coronados Islands, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 34598
Species: California Sea Lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!