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20100318_Raft_of_Sea_Otter.jpg

Raft of Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(141 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 . . .

20100521_California_Sea_Lion_Male_Close_Up.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(138 views)
by Terry Costales

Close up of a male sea lion. According to Wiki, "Zalophus californianus" means "Californian big-head" because a male grows a crest of bone on top of his head that causes a bulging forehead.

20100402_Sea_Lion_Swimming.jpg

Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(138 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.

20101108.jpg

Black-crowned Night Heron

(137 views)
by Terry Costales

This bedraggled juvenile black-crowned night heron was perched on the dock near the boat we were going to use. I hoped it wasn't a harbinger of how our trip would turn out.

20100130_Spectacled_Bear.jpg

Spectacled Bear (Tremarctos ornatus)

(137 views)
by Terry Costales

The Spectacled Bear is the only bear that comes from South America. I hope this unique and beautiful endangered bear survives.

20100601_Sea_Lion_Expressions.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(136 views)
by Terry Costales

More of the endless variation of facial expressions you can always find in sea lions.

20100129_Black-Crowned_Night_Heron.jpg

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

(136 views)
by Terry Costales

An adult night heron in full breeding plumage showing off its pink legs which are yellow the rest of the year.

20100413_Sea_Otter_Persuade.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(136 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20100120.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(136 views)
by Terry Costales

Prehistoric looking pelicans sun and preen in the winter sun.

20100319_Sea_Otter_Groomed.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is an older otter, recognized by the light colored fur on its face. It is grooming itself after eating. Otters must have one of the cutest faces in the animal kingdom

20100604_Demure_California_Sea_Lion.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

A female sea lion tried to appear very demure.

20100601_Sea_Lion_King_Of_Mountain.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

King of the mountain and he knows it.

20101213_Coy_Capybara_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

A capybara peeking coyly from behind its giant palm frond.

20100326_Sea_Otter_With_Shell.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(135 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.

20100522_Brown_Pelicans_Moss_Landing.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(135 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.

20100602_Brown_Pelican_On_Fishing_Boat.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

Pelican posed aboard an old fishing boat.

20100519_California_Sea_Lion_Elkhorn_Slough.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

A very large male sea lion with a much smaller female.

20100522_Brown_Pelicans_Perched_Fishing_Equipment.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20101212_Capybara_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

This Capybara needs a good brushing.

20100604_Young_Sleepy_California_Sea_Lion.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

A very young sea lion was sleepily curious about his observers.

20100513_California_Sea_Lion_Family_Portrait.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

To our left as we exited the harbor and entered the slough, we saw an old pier covered with sea lions. We slowly motored past them. It was quite satisfying to be at their level and so close to them. I feel like I ended up with a family portrait instead of a wildlife photo.

20100523_California_Sea_Lion_Sleepy.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

Portrait of a large male sea lion sleepily surveying his domain.

20100517_Sea_Otter_Paparazzi.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(135 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20100612_Brown_Pelican_Can_Fly.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(134 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20100327_Brown_Pelican_Head_On.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(134 views)
by Terry Costales

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

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