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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

King of the mountain and he knows it.

A female sea lion tried to appear very demure.

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