Sea Lion, Photo

Sea Lion Pictures (Zalophus californianus)

Filed under: Photoshelter, Sea Lion, Wildlife on 7/27/2009

My sea lion pictures (Zalophus californianus) are now on Photoshelter (in addition to the sea lion pictures on this website).

California Sea Lion Pictures - Images by Phillip Colla

(sea lion photo slideshow.)

Keywords: sea lion pictures, stock photo, picture, california sea lion, Zalophus californianus, image, photograph, underwater, marine, wildlife, pinniped.

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Sea Lion Entangled in Monofiliment Line

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Latitude: 36° 36' 31.53" N, Longitude: 121° 53' 27.34" W, Coord: 36.60876°, -121.89093°
Filed under: California, Monterey, Sea Lion, Wildlife on 3/10/2009

This California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) has a severe neck laceration caused by what is likely monofiliment fishing line wrapped around its neck and digging into its skin. Monofiliment fishing line is an exceptionally thin and strong type of synthetic line used for sportfishing. Given that it is designed to be nearly invisible in the water (so the fish do not see it), it is easy to imagine how a passing sea lion, turtle or diving seabird might become tangled in it were the animal unfortunate enough to encounter abandoned monofiliment line in the water. Abandoned fishing line? Absolutely! Fisherman often simply cut their lines if they are unable to clear a snagged line. The abandoned line will last hundreds of years in the water, waiting there to entangle whatever that it comes in contact with. Such line is quite thin and consequently cuts easily into even the tough hides of sea lions. And it is strong, meant to withstand the pull of strong gamefish, so it will not easily give way even if the sea lion were to somehow gain purchase on it and try to break it. Instead, the monofiliment line will slowly, steadily cut into the sea lion’s flesh, eventually causing the animal to suffer from suffocation, starvation or infection.

California sea lion, with monofiliment cut., Zalophus californianus, Copyright Phillip Colla, image #00958, all rights reserved worldwide.

California sea lion, with monofiliment cut. Monterey, California, USA.
Image: 00958
Species: Zalophus californianus
Location: Monterey, California, USA

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Appearances nothwithstanding, this sea lion was simply dozing and had been awake and alert minutes before this photo. However, the injury it is experiencing clearly has the potential for infection. I did not see this sea lion again so do not know if it was rescued and rehabilitated or ?

See more photos of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus).

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Photo of La Jolla Sea Lions

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Latitude: 32° 51' 0.46" N, Longitude: 117° 16' 12.96" W, Coord: 32.850128°, -117.27027°
Filed under: California, La Jolla, Photo of the Day, Sea Lion, Wildlife on 1/23/2008

There is a big spawning aggregation of market squid assembled on the sand flats at about 60′ off of La Jolla Shores beach right now. As a consequence, many California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are now in the area, feeding on the squid and hauling out on rocks to rest when not foraging. Here are a couple seen recently in La Jolla:

Sea lion portrait, hauled out on rocks beside the ocean., Zalophus californianus, Copyright Phillip Colla, image #20207, all rights reserved worldwide.

Sea lion portrait, hauled out on rocks beside the ocean. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 20207
Species: Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

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California sea lion, adult male., Zalophus californianus, Copyright Phillip Colla, image #20211, all rights reserved worldwide.

California sea lion, adult male. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 20211
Species: Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

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Photos of Sea Lions in La Jolla

La Jolla is well known for its population of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi), but it boasts California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) as well. When the movable feast of market squid (Loligo opalescens) arrives to lay its carpets of eggs on the edge of the undersea La Jolla Canyon, California sea lions as well as cormorants, sharks and rays arrive as well to eat the squid, which die after mating and laying eggs. These sea lions were perched on some rocks near the La Jolla Caves, sunning themselves between squid foraging sessions in February this year.

California sea lion, adult female., Zalophus californianus, Copyright Phillip Colla, image #18538, all rights reserved worldwide.

California sea lion, adult female. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 18538
Species: Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

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California sea lion, adult male., Zalophus californianus, Copyright Phillip Colla, image #18545, all rights reserved worldwide.

California sea lion, adult male. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 18545
Species: Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

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California sea lion, adult female., Zalophus californianus, Copyright Phillip Colla, image #18539, all rights reserved worldwide.

California sea lion, adult female. La Jolla, California, USA.
Image: 18539
Species: Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

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See also sea lion photos and harbor seal photos. If you were looking for La Jolla seals, try here instead.

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California Sea Lions, Baja California

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Latitude: 32° 26' 14.15" N, Longitude: 117° 17' 52.86" W, Coord: 32.437264°, -117.29802°
Filed under: Mexico, Photo of the Day, Sea Lion, Wildlife on 3/15/2005

Each winter California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) gather in the hundreds on the rock slopes of North Coronado Island, just south of the US/Mexico border. The bottom diving is unremarkable here the remainder of the year, but when the sea lions are gathered in such numbers it is worth making the short boat trip for a dive with them.