Tag

Sea Lions

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Fall 2024 Islas CoronadoSea LionUnderwater Photography

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico, Fall 2024

I managed several trips in October and November to the Coronado Islands, in northern Baja California just south of San Diego, to dive with California Sea Lion pups (Zalophus californianus) at the "Lobster Shack" rookery. I try to visit each fall when the combination of dive conditions and sea lion…
December 9, 2024
Wildlife Portrait Photography on Point La Jolla; Year-Round Closure Makes This a Thing of the Past La JollaSea Lion

Wildlife Portrait Photography on Point La Jolla; Year-Round Closure Makes This a Thing of the Past

For many years I photographed wildlife on Point La Jolla, usually at sunrise.  I'm referring to the flat tabletop reef below the walkway to the west of La Jolla Cove. That was a prime ocean entry for divers, spearfishermen and bodysurfers (I used it for 30+ years to access the…
February 19, 2024
A Huge Mellow California Sea Lion Bull, and a Sea Lion Pup’s Odd Coat Islas CoronadoSea LionUnderwater Photography

A Huge Mellow California Sea Lion Bull, and a Sea Lion Pup’s Odd Coat

My efforts to photograph California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) this fall were not as productive as in the past, due to a combination of cancelled trips, poor weather, dirty water and a lack of sunshine.  But on my last scheduled day diving in the Coronados this year I did have a…
December 23, 2022
South American Sea Lions, Otaria flavescens, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina ArgentinaSea LionUnderwater Photography

South American Sea Lions, Otaria flavescens, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina

When I was in Argentina recently to photograph southern right whales, one of our secondary goals was to also photograph South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens), aka "southern sea lions".   In 2019 we had spent a little time with them near Puerto Madryn, but that rookery is heavily visited…
October 24, 2022
Front Lit Portraiture, or Why I Point My Shadow at My Subject Pelicans of La JollaSea LionWisdom

Front Lit Portraiture, or Why I Point My Shadow at My Subject

I unabashedly use front lighting on my subjects, especially those photographed with long lenses where separation between subject and background can be achieved through depth of field.  Side- and back-lighting have their places, and are often effective at rendering a subject in an interesting or compelling way.  But I tend…
January 1, 2022
Young California Sea Lions at the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico Islas CoronadoMexicoSea LionUnderwater Photography

Young California Sea Lions at the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Fall is the best time to dive with young California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Most pups are born in May and June, and by September they have become strong enough to swim and will venture out from the rocks on which they live into shallow water. A sea lion colony…
November 22, 2020
California Sea Lions at Lobster Shack, Coronado Islands, Mexico Islas CoronadoMexicoSea LionUnderwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Lobster Shack, Coronado Islands, Mexico

I try to reach Lobster Shack at North Coronado Island each fall to dive with California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). Some years are better than others but generally the months of October and November offer superb encounters with these gregarious young pinnipeds.  I say young because in fact the gangs…
March 30, 2020
Underwater Photos of Steller Sea Lions, Eumetopias jubatus, British Columbia CanadaHornby IslandSea LionUnderwater Photography

Underwater Photos of Steller Sea Lions, Eumetopias jubatus, British Columbia

In January I made another trip to Hornby Island to photograph Steller Sea Lions (Eumetopias jubatus).  This is some of the most exciting scuba diving that can be done anywhere in the world and is not for the faint of heart!  Steller sea lions are some of the largest pinnipeds in…
March 25, 2020
Steller Sea Lions, Eumetopias jubatus, Hornby Island, British Columbia CanadaHornby IslandSea LionUnderwater Photography

Steller Sea Lions, Eumetopias jubatus, Hornby Island, British Columbia

Steller sea lion underwater, Norris Rocks, Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada Image ID: 32660 Species: Steller sea lion, Eumetopias jubatus Location: Hornby Island, British Columbia, Canada I have a real love for pinnipeds (seals and sea lions). I've been in the water with many big animals including whales, sharks, dolphins,…
February 17, 2017
California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico MexicoSea LionSea of CortezUnderwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico

California sea lions underwater, Sea of Cortez, Mexico Image ID: 31205 Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus Location: Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Mexico In October, Tracy and I joined our friends Mike and Sherry, Skip, Shirley, Barb and Walt for 9 wonderful days diving in the Sea of Cortez…
January 29, 2016
California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Baja California, Mexico Sea LionSea of CortezUnderwater LifeUnderwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Los Islotes, Baja California, Mexico

Los Islotes, the small island just off the northern end of Espiritu Santo in the Sea of Cortez, is my favorite place in the world for photographing California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). These wonderful pinnipeds are very comfortable with the presence of, and famous for the willingness to interact with,…
March 3, 2014
International Conservation Photography Awards 2012 Environmental ProblemsSea LionSea of CortezUnderwater LifeUnderwater Photography

International Conservation Photography Awards 2012

Art Wolfe hosts the biennial International Conservation Photography Awards ("ICP Awards"). One of my images was honored in the 2010 edition of the competition, so I decided to try again this year. My photograph of a young California sea lion entangled in monofilament fishing line, taken in the Espiritu Santo…
August 15, 2012
Wildlife Entanglement: Sea Lion and Monofilament, Pelican and Shopping Bag Environmental ProblemsSea LionUnderwater LifeUnderwater Photography

Wildlife Entanglement: Sea Lion and Monofilament, Pelican and Shopping Bag

Photos of Wildlife Entanglement in Plastic Unfortunately, I have had a number of opportunities to photograph wildlife entangled in plastic debris. Plastic Debris. We make it, we use it and then we leave it behind. This stuff is killing animals and causing problems everywhere. I find it dismaying every time…
March 22, 2012
Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico Sea LionSea of CortezUnderwater LifeUnderwater Photography

Los Islotes, Espiritu Santo Biosphere Reserve, Baja California, Mexico

Los Islotes is a small island at the northern end of Isla Espiritu Santo, near La Paz in the Sea of Cortez. Espiritu Santo Island and Partida Island are two beautiful desert islands, scalloped with gorgeous white sand beaches. Bird nest on their rugged slopes, and cardon cacti grow in…
February 10, 2012
Sea Lions of Santa Barbara Island Sea Lion

Sea Lions of Santa Barbara Island

Santa Barbara Island Sea Lions Santa Barbara Island, part of Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, is home to a large population of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Since Santa Barbara Island lies only 38 miles off the coast of Southern California, it is possible to visit the island by boat…
December 8, 2009