This Week's Most Frequently Viewed Images

Golden Gate Bridge, viewed from Fort Point, with the Marin Headlands visible in the distance. San Francisco.
Location: San Francisco, California
Image ID: 09052  

Springtime bloom of the hedgehog cactus (or calico cactus).
Species: Hedgehog cactus, Echinocereus engelmannii
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 09085  

A small forest of Teddy-Bear chollas is found in Joshua Tree National Park. Although this plant carries a lighthearted name, its armorment is most serious.
Species: Teddy-bear cholla, Opuntia bigelovii
Location: Joshua Tree National Park, California
Image ID: 09125  

The Merced River viewed from atop Vernal Falls. Yosemite National Park, Spring.
Location: Vernal Falls, Yosemite National Park, California
Image ID: 09203  

California grunion.
Species: California grunion, Leuresthes tenuis
Location: Carlsbad, California
Image ID: 09299  

California grunion.
Species: California grunion, Leuresthes tenuis
Location: Carlsbad, California
Image ID: 09304  

California grunion.
Species: California grunion, Leuresthes tenuis
Location: Carlsbad, California
Image ID: 09306  

Juvenile garibaldi displaying distinctive blue spots.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: California
Image ID: 09403  

Tufa towers rise from Mono Lake with the Eastern Sierra visible in the distance. Tufa towers are formed when underwater springs rich in calcium mix with lakewater rich in carbonates, forming calcium carbonate (limestone) structures below the surface of the lake. The towers were eventually revealed when the water level in the lake was lowered starting in 1941. South tufa grove, Navy Beach.
Location: Mono Lake, California
Image ID: 09935  

Cleaner shrimp.
Species: Cleaner shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis
Image ID: 09467  

Spiny lobster in rocky crevice.
Species: Spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus
Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 09564  

Mexican hogfish, adult male showing fleshy bump on head.
Species: Mexican hogfish, Bodianus diplotaenia
Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 09613  

Remains of a small chapel and prison, north end of Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe).
Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 09727  

Leafy Seadragon.
Species: Leafy seadragon, Phycodurus eques
Image ID: 09421  

Ocean sunfish, open ocean.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02887  

Kelp stipes and blades.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: Santa Barbara Island, California
Image ID: 02499  

Anemone on kelp stipe.
Location: San Miguel Island, California
Image ID: 02485  

Scott Campbell and yellowfin tuna.
Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 02338  

Blue whale, mother and calf, swimming at surface between dives, open ocean, aerial view.
Species: Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus
Image ID: 02302  

Galapagos fur seal.
Species: Galapagos fur seal, Arctocephalus galapagoensis
Location: James Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Image ID: 02245  

Northern elephant seal bull.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Gorda, Big Sur, California
Image ID: 02052  

Ocean sunfish.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02030  

Marbled ray.
Species: Marbled stingray, Taeniura meyeni
Location: Cocos Island, Costa Rica
Image ID: 01993  

Diver and California sea lion.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 01976  

Diver and garibaldi, Catalina.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 01971  

Drift kelp, open ocean.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02501  

Juvenile garibaldi and purple urchins, Coronado Islands.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 02513  

Humpback whale competitive group, several adult male escort whales swimming closely together as part of a larger competitive group.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 02870  

West Indian manatee at Three Sisters Springs, Florida.
Species: West indian manatee, Trichechus manatus
Location: Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Florida
Image ID: 02726  

West Indian manatee.
Species: West indian manatee, Trichechus manatus
Location: Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Florida
Image ID: 02708