Charismatic Marine Mammals

Monterey Bay is filled with marine mammals. California Sea Lions, Zalophus californianus are found along the rocks and near the wharf in the fall and the winter.  One of the best places to view sea lions is at the Coast Guard pier near downtown.

 This jumbo-sized male has seen a few fights. note the scaring and wounds around his neck and chest, not to mention the gaping hole in his back.  He must be more of a lover than a fighter, or I would hate to see the other guy.

Even momma sea lion is sporting a black eye.  If you believe in reincarnation, don't be in a hurry to return as a sea lion. Their lives don't look too tranquil to me. And their neighbors are a noisy lot, too!

The birds in the photo are Brandt's Cormorants, which are strictly a marine species. They are a dark brown overall, and just a few of them were still showing a metalic-blue coloration under their gape. These colored areas are more prominent during breeding season.

A couple of the cormorants were building a seaweed nest on the rocks, until some gigantic sea lion lumbered across it and laid down where it had been.  It made me wonder how the flock ever hatched out enough young to make up this group of several hundred inhabiting these rocks. Perhaps their only successful nesting occurs once the sea lions retreat back to the Channel Islands for their own breeding season.

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The general commotion in the bay is due to the sea lions.  Watch the video above to hear the sounds under Fishermen's Wharf.

 Harbor Seals, Phoca vitulina are a much more peaceful group.  They are significantly smaller than the adult sea lions, and probably weigh about 100-200  pounds.  The have dog shaped heads, but do not have apparent ears. They lethargically lounge around on rocks, it didn't look terribly comfortable to me.  They were so sedentary I began to wonder, when do they feed?

Harbor seals do not make noise or move about much when resting in the harbor.  This young one made a bit of a show by grooming, it was about all the activity that went on that day. They are a very quiet lot compared to their cousins the sea lions.

The Sea Otter, Enhydra lutris is the smallest of the marine mammals found in Monterey Bay. . Once thought to be extinct, they still remain listed as an Endangered Species.  They feed early morning and evening, and it is great fun to watch them cavorting about the wharf and bay. If there was a contest for cutest marine mammals these guys would win by a landslide.  They are said to be the most popular exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is a must-see aquarium, I might add.

California Dreaming

Having just returned from sunny California, I am still trying to get my bearings.  The three hour time change is not too much of an adjustment for me, but the laundry and e-mail catch-up is intense.

 But nothing is as intense as the blue of the Pacific Ocean.  Days later, I am still reeling from the sights and sounds along the Pacific Coast Highway.  Who knew nature had these hues of aquas and blues?  This sets a whole new standard for waterfronts. And just  think, this is free to all, it is part of Los Padres National Forest!  It goes to show that our National Parks may well be America's Best Idea, and this may well be the most beautiful park in America.

The West Coast is full of fun and aquatic themes.  It was a great honor to do this trip with my daughter JJ, who is a wealth of knowledge of all things aquatic. That is because she is an aquarist at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. We made numerous stops along the Pacific Coast Highway, Rte. 101, and ended our first day's journey in Monterey, California.

Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey is a delight to the eyes and a wonderment to one's ears.  There was much bellowing and roaring going on beneath the pier!

 A closer look and we found the noise was coming from a congregation of California sea lions.  They seem like a comical lot, but J.J. informs me that they are not to be messed with.  Sea lions males weigh in the 600 pound range and most of the beasts carry scars from battle.  The females often show injuries as well.  They may seem harmless enough, but the best advice is this- they are wild animals- so keep your distance.

Fortunately, my camera has a decent zoom lens.  All seemed tranquil enough with this mother and her pups. Lesson one with aquatic mammals: Sea lions have ear tabs, seals do not. These little fellows are sea lions.

JJ Soski, Michelle Soski Goodman, and Cheryl Harner

As I go though my hundreds of photos and numerous videos, I hope to share a little of the wonderful sights and sounds we witnessed in Southern California.  Los Angeles is probably not a place I would choose to live, but I was thrilled to visit my "pups" who are both currently in California.

Hopefully, you too will enjoy the charismatic sea mammals, shore birds and rarities we discovered all along our trip.  The best part was sharing this time with two daughters who are both are unique and interesting  individuals.  

I would especially like to thank them for sharing this beautiful and bio-diversity filled coastal adventure!