Male North Pacific humpback whale streams a trail of bubbles. The primary male escort whale (center) creates a curtain of bubbles underwater as it swims behind a female (right), with other challenging males trailing behind in a competitive group. The bubbles may be a form of intimidation from the primary escort towards the challenging escorts.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05968
Adult male north Pacific humpback whale bubble streaming underwater in the midst of a competitive group. The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims closely behind a female, . The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby males interested in the female.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 05999
Adult male north Pacific humpback whale bubble streaming underwater in the midst of a competitive group. The male escort humpback whale seen here is emitting a curtain of bubbles as it swims closely behind a female, . The bubble curtain may be meant as warning or visual obstruction to other nearby males interested in the female.
Species: Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Image ID: 06037
Beautiful golden female Calfornia sea lion on rocks at sunrise. This sea lion has hauled out of the ocean onto rocks near Point La Jolla to rest and warm in the morning sun.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: La Jolla, California
Image ID: 38634
Peregrine Falcon mated pair perform midair food exchange. The male forages for prey and returns to the nest, exchanging the prey in mid air with the female who in turn will feed the young at the nest, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.
Species: Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus
Location: Torrey Pines State Reserve, San Diego, California
Image ID: 39315
Banded iguana, male. The bands of color on the male of this species change from green to either blue, grey or black, depending on mood. Females are usually solid green, ocassionally with blue spots or a few narrow bands.
Species: Banded iguana, Brachylophus fasciatus
Image ID: 12612
This bull elephant seal, an old adult male, shows extreme scarring on his chest and proboscis from many winters fighting other males for territory and rights to a harem of females. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 15388
A bull elephant seal forceably mates (copulates) with a much smaller female, often biting her into submission and using his weight to keep her from fleeing. Males may up to 5000 lbs, triple the size of females. Sandy beach rookery, winter, Central California.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 15408
Black bear walking in a forest. Black bears can live 25 years or more, and range in color from deepest black to chocolate and cinnamon brown. Adult males typically weigh up to 600 pounds. Adult females weight up to 400 pounds and reach sexual maturity at 3 or 4 years of age. Adults stand about 3' tall at the shoulder.
Species: American black bear, Ursus americanus
Location: Orr, Minnesota
Image ID: 18751
Brown bear female sow in sedge meadow, with her three spring cubs hidden by the deep grass next to her. These cubs were born earlier in the spring and will remain with their mother for almost two years, relying on her completely for their survival.
Species: Brown bear, Ursus arctos
Location: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Image ID: 19186
Brown bear female sow with spring cubs. These three cubs were born earlier in the spring and will remain with their mother for almost two years, relying on her completely for their survival.
Species: Brown bear, Ursus arctos
Location: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Image ID: 19205
Brown bear female sow with spring cubs. These three cubs were born earlier in the spring and will remain with their mother for almost two years, relying on her completely for their survival.
Species: Brown bear, Ursus arctos
Location: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Image ID: 19206
Brown bear female sow with spring cubs. These cubs were born earlier in the spring and will remain with their mother for almost two years, relying on her completely for their survival.
Species: Brown bear, Ursus arctos
Location: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Image ID: 19211
Brown bear female sow in sedge meadow, with her three spring cubs hidden by the deep grass next to her. These cubs were born earlier in the spring and will remain with their mother for almost two years, relying on her completely for their survival.
Species: Brown bear, Ursus arctos
Location: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Image ID: 19219
Brown bear sow (female) and her cub, born earlier this year in spring. The cub is completely dependent on her for survival. She will nurture it for almost two years.
Species: Brown bear, Ursus arctos
Location: Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Image ID: 19236