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20100402_Sea_Lion_Swimming.jpg

Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(425 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.

20100519_California_Sea_Lion_Elkhorn_Slough.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(423 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20100601_Sea_Lion_Expressions.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(423 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20100513_California_Sea_Lion_Family_Portrait.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(423 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.

20100604_Demure_California_Sea_Lion.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(422 views)
by Terry Costales

A female sea lion tried to appear very demure.

20100521_California_Sea_Lion_Male_Close_Up.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(422 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.

20100523_California_Sea_Lion_Sleepy.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(421 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20101213_Coy_Capybara_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(421 views)
by Terry Costales

A capybara peeking coyly from behind its giant palm frond.

20100121_Great_Egret_Bodega_Bay.jpg

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

(421 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.

20100601_Sea_Lion_King_Of_Mountain.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(421 views)
by Terry Costales

King of the mountain and he knows it.

20100604_Young_Sleepy_California_Sea_Lion.jpg

California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(421 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20100318_Raft_of_Sea_Otter.jpg

Raft of Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(421 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 . . .

20100427_Sea_Lions_Under_Wharf.jpg

Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus)

(421 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20101212_Capybara_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(420 views)
by Terry Costales

This Capybara needs a good brushing.

20101208_Leopard_Tortoise_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis)

(420 views)
by Terry Costales

A very large, old Leopard Tortoise sunned itself that afternoon.

20100602_Brown_Pelican_On_Fishing_Boat.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(420 views)
by Terry Costales

Pelican posed aboard an old fishing boat.

20100320_Raft_of_Sea_Otter.jpg

Raft of Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(420 views)
by Terry Costales

This photo shows just part of a very large raft of otters we saw in the Elkhorn Slough. The older individuals had light faces, and such cute faces they were.

20100616_Snowy_Egret_Stalked_Great_Egret.jpg

Snowy Egret and Great Egret

(420 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20100101.jpg

Macaws

(420 views)
by Terry Costales

Two Macaws preening one another. A very intimate, gentle moment in a birds' life.

20100509_Harbor_Seal_Whiskers.jpg

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

(420 views)
by Terry Costales

Two Harbor Seal were of quite different fur colors but all the whiskers were blonde.

20101109.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(419 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20101211_Capybara_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(419 views)
by Terry Costales

Catching the afternoon sun, the master of the grasses rests in its domain.

20101223_Lion_Contemplated_Freedom_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Lion (Panthera leo)

(419 views)
by Terry Costales

The King contemplated freedom.

20100327_Brown_Pelican_Head_On.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(419 views)
by Terry Costales

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

20100322_Brown_Pelican_Head.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(418 views)
by Terry Costales

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

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