The Drain

(126 views)
by Bryan Costales

The drain at the bottom of the mural was unplugged and rapidly draining a torrent of water. A bar of soap lay next to the drain. The name on the bar of soap was, "Conny."

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(104 views)
by Terry Costales

The fisherman hadn't noticed that a pelican had just landed next to him on the pier.

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

(103 views)
by Terry Costales

A great egret at the edge of the bay looking for food. It is a very graceful bird whether walking or flying.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(103 views)
by Terry Costales

Prehistoric looking pelicans sun and preen in the winter sun.

Snowy Egret and Great Egret

(103 views)
by Terry Costales

The larger Great Egret was stalked by the smaller Snowy Egret.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(103 views)
by Terry Costales

A flock of pelicans flying in typical formation with Anacapa island in the background.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(103 views)
by Terry Costales

This is a close-up of the same Pelican I posted yesterday,

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(103 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is a view of a pelican you don't usually see. A head on view of its enormous bill.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(103 views)
by Terry Costales

Pelican posed aboard an old fishing boat.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(102 views)
by Terry Costales

A large group of pelicans were perched on the fish processing equipment.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(102 views)
by Terry Costales

These two pelicans were one pair of dozens loitering around the marina, all waiting for a fishy opportunity. The one on the left was an immature bird which had not grown into its adult plumage.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(102 views)
by Terry Costales

The pelican glides effortlessly over the surface of the sea.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(102 views)
by Terry Costales

It surprises me that a big bird like a Pelican can fly so effortlessly.

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(102 views)
by Terry Costales

It was beautiful day in Santa Cruz and I had been photographing the sea lions when this pelican landed a few feet away on the pier railing. If there was ever a compelling visual argument for birds being the modern descendants of dinosaurs, it's the pelican. I could easily imagine them flying just out of reach above the snapping jaws of some aquatic sea monster.

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(102 views)
by Terry Costales

A lone individual popped up out of the water after a dive for food. We suspected he has a clam grasped in his paws. Otters love shellfish.

Raft of Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(100 views)
by Terry Costales

For an unforgettable wildlife experience, I highly recommend the Elkhorn Slough Safari in Moss Landing. We saw over one hundred sea otters, almost eighty harbor seals and dozens of sea lions very up close and personal. This photo shows a raft of about eighty sea otters. Raft is the official label for a bunch of otters hanging out together, looking like a raft. In addition to sea mammals, I also photographed sixteen species of birds. The trip was two hours of wildlife bliss. There were a few . . .

Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(100 views)
by Terry Costales

Sea Lions swam in and out of sunlight and shade beneath the wharf in Santa Cruz.

Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo shows a sea lion swimming in the late afternoon sunlight beneath the wharf in Santa Cruz. Lovely light on a lovely animal.

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

This group shot of harbor seals illustrates their cuteness and wide variations in colors.

Killdeer eggs

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

This was the second killdeer nest I'd found. The first one was on gravel and this one on flowerbed mulch. Both times the nests were easily overlooked and the eggs hard to spot.

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

This is one otter trying to persuade another otter to share its meal. It wasn't very successful.

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

Sea Otters appeared to spend a great deal of their time grooming themselves. They use their bodies as tables, so have to keep food scraps washed off. While they clean, they also push and sometimes blow air bubbles into their fur. The extra air trapped in their fur contributes to their buoyancy and increases insulation.

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

The Harbor Seal was very curious about us as we motored past, but not curious enough to actually move.

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

This killdeer tried to lure me away from her nest and eggs fluttering her wings as if injured. Ironically, the only reason I knew her nest was nearby was because of the mother killdeer's behavior. She faked being hurt and then looked back to see if I was buying it.

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is another otter grooming or maybe he is thinking "oh, not another boatload of paparazzi!"