A mother California sea lion (left) and her pup (right), underwater at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Mothers and pups spend much time together with the mother teaching her young padawan learner how to pursue prey. I spent a lot of time over 6 days watching this pair in Fall 2023.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 39960
Adult Male California Sea Lion with Several Young Pups, Mexico. This male sea lion is not yet large and mature enough to form his own harem so he swims at the underwater periphery of the territories of the more established males to see what females he can approach without being challenged and chased off by a bigger male.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 39957
Female California Sea Lion with Severe Fishing Line Entanglement Injury, in the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico. The line is buried in the sea lion's tissue so far that is difficult to see. It is possible this synthetic line will continue to cut into the skin of this sea lion until it succumbs to infection or blood loss. I have never seen any marine mammal rescue teams at the Coronado islands and suspect this poor animal will not live long.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 39959
Large Adult Male California Sea Lion Bull Underwater, Mexico. His sagittal crest, the prominent bump on the top of his head, is clearly seen. A few bubbles trail behind him because he typically barks underwater as he swims. This bull had assembled a large group of adult females and remained in a 75-yard stretch of rocky shoreline to guard them from other males. Here he is seen patrolling the underwater perimeter of his harem territory, something he does often.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 39986
California Sea Lion Nibbles the Dive Mask of an Underwater Photographer at the Coronado Islands, Mexico. Sea lions, especially young ones, are very inquisitive and will often test the gear that divers have the only way they can, by nibbling and rubbing it with their foreflippers.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 39970
Young California Sea Lion Pup On the Cobblestone Patch, Looking at the Underwater Camera Taking Its Photograph, in the Coronado Islands, Baja, Mexico. Young sea lions will often play with the cobblestones seen here, lifting them into the water column before letting them sink back down, all the while keeping them just out of reach of the divers they are taunting.
Species: California sea lion, Zalophus californianus
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 39977