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philcolla

Body surfing sea lion this morning, Boomer Beach Body surfing sea lion this morning, Boomer Beach
Southern Utah Badlands, selfie, aerial view Southern Utah Badlands, selfie, aerial view
30 seconds of serenity now. 30 seconds of serenity now.
Curious southern right whale calf inspects the cam Curious southern right whale calf inspects the camera, Argentina.
Southeast end of San Clemente Island: Pyramid Head Southeast end of San Clemente Island: Pyramid Head and Balanced Rock, with the horseshoe-shaped reef visible through the water in the foreground.
Royal tern suspended in mid air, La Jolla Royal tern suspended in mid air, La Jolla
California sea lion beseiged by royal terns, La Jo California sea lion beseiged by royal terns, La Jolla
Horizon, Guadalupe Island. Horizon, Guadalupe Island.
Yoga pelican performing Ardha Chandrasana (half mo Yoga pelican performing Ardha Chandrasana (half moon pose). Wow these birds are flexible! #birdsofinstagram #wildlifeoflajolla #lajolla
Sea lion body surfing at Boomer this morning. So m Sea lion body surfing at Boomer this morning. So much energy in the ocean in La Jolla right now. #sealionsofinstagram #lajolla #surf #sealionsoflajolla
Pelican against a white backdrop of waves crashing Pelican against a white backdrop of waves crashing on Point La Jolla, yesterday morning.
Sunrise Saturday morning. Sunrise Saturday morning.
La Jolla Cove surf this morning.#lajolla #lajollac La Jolla Cove surf this morning.#lajolla #lajollacove #surf #sandiego
La Jolla Cove breaking this morning before the rai La Jolla Cove breaking this morning before the rain. #lajollacove #lajolla #surf #surfing #sandiego
A few head throws and flight shots of pelicans in A few head throws and flight shots of pelicans in La Jolla this morning.
Instagram post 17979885088752791 Instagram post 17979885088752791
Northern shoveler in flight, Bosque del Apache NWR Northern shoveler in flight, Bosque del Apache NWR, NM
Seabirds gliding and perching on sea cliffs, early Seabirds gliding and perching on sea cliffs, early morning, La Jolla
Sandhill cranes landing in a shallow pool just aft Sandhill cranes landing in a shallow pool just after sunset, Bosque del Apache NWR.
Storm waves crash upon Goldfish Point in La Jolla, Storm waves crash upon Goldfish Point in La Jolla, hundreds of pelicans shelter on the rocks out of reach of the waves. Pre-dawn light, long exposure, aerial tripod.
Gorgonians and kelp forest, San Clemente Island Gorgonians and kelp forest, San Clemente Island
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, revolved side angle pose Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, revolved side angle pose.
Pelican yoga, Utthita Tadasana, extended mountain Pelican yoga, Utthita Tadasana, extended mountain pose with backbend.
Holiday lights on the SIO pier. Holiday lights on the SIO pier.
Man Bun. Top Knot.  This guy had an unusual tuft Man Bun. Top Knot.  This guy had an unusual tuft of dark plumage on the top of his head, almost as if it was between breeding and non-breeding colors. But it also had strange mottled blotches around its head, suggesting it might be a sub-adult just reaching maturity. Whatever, I thought it was 
interesting plumage.
Celia, Shireen and I dove Moonlight Cove at Middle Celia, Shireen and I dove Moonlight Cove at Middle Island in the Coronados yesterday, since all the sea lions had left Lobster Shack (not sure why, it was empty in the water with just a few on the rocks, very strange).  I had not been to Moonlight Cove in probably 25 years and had forgotten what a cool spot it is, with clean white sand on the bottom and a gentle slope with boulders and lots of grasses.  There were at least three bulls with their harems along the shoreline.  One huge bull spent a lot of time looking into our dome ports, he was very chill and didn't even move his harem or pups as they often will.  Never seen a bull quite like him.  He was as big as they get, almost looked like a small elephant seal bull, and he had a tag but it was totally faded, so our guess is that he was rescued and rehabilitated as a pup years ago and the tag is really old.  I spent my time photographing him and sort of left the pups to their own devices for the dive. Water was much clearer than it has been lately, and a chilly 57F.
Tern in flight, La Jolla Tern in flight, La Jolla
I found a new portrait spot at Middle Grounds, com I found a new portrait spot at Middle Grounds, complete with a carpet of purple algae and nice walls on each side. I wasn’t able to get multiple sea lions there this time, but will try again next time I am there. It’s surgey as you can tell from millions of tiny bubbles in the water column.
Brown pelican, La Jolla. Not quite breeding plumag Brown pelican, La Jolla. Not quite breeding plumage yet, still has a few weeks to go, but showing early colors.
A beautiful golden-colored female sea lion over pu A beautiful golden-colored female sea lion over purple marine algae. I have two small spots that I go to each fall for this image, the sea lions and the carpet of purple algae are always there. In spite of the crappy water a few days ago I was able to make a couple new portraits.
Because I was inverted. Bullshit. No, he was man. Because I was inverted.
Bullshit.
No, he was man. It was a really great move. He was inverted. I’ve got a great Polaroid of it…
Period of peak pelican plumage starting in 3, 2, 1 Period of peak pelican plumage starting in 3, 2, 1, …
Sea lion gives a little side-eye to a passing mola Sea lion gives a little side-eye to a passing mola. San Diego last summer.
Sand Harbor at end of day, Lake Tahoe. Sand Harbor at end of day, Lake Tahoe.
A riot of color, Fiji.  FYI: I did not touch the A riot of color, Fiji.  FYI: I did not touch the saturation slider at all, colors are SOOC
Dendronephthya detail, Fiji Dendronephthya detail, Fiji
Love is in the air: https://www.oceanlight.com/log Love is in the air: https://www.oceanlight.com/log/courtship-and-mating-groups-among-southern-right-whales.html
White whales: they’re a thing! More here: https: White whales: they’re a thing! More here: https://www.oceanlight.com/log/southern-right-whale-white-calf-peninsula-valdes-argentina.html
Reef and kelp holdfasts, San Clemente Island Reef and kelp holdfasts, San Clemente Island
South American Sea Lions, Puerto Piramides, Argent South American Sea Lions, Puerto Piramides, Argentina
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