All Posts By

Phil Colla

Seabird

Speeding Cormorant

This is a photograph of a cormorant speeding over the ocean, viewed from above. Taken in pre-dawn light, the slow shutter speed of the camera allowed the details of the bird and water to smear across the image. Double-crested cormorants in flight at sunrise, long exposure produces a blurred motion.…
March 2, 2008
CaliforniaDesertThe American Southwest

Palm Tree Farm

I wandered around a palm tree farm in the desert, feeling like I was amid some kind of midget forest. The palm fronds were just above my head, and the ground was covered in thick fuzz and trimmings from the trees. Due to the wide lens I used, these trees…
March 1, 2008
Harbor SealWildlife

Not What It Looks Like

At first glance this looks like a typical mother and pup harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) pair. Its pupping season right now and this scene is repeated on the Children's Pool beach all day long. However, this pup struggling, and appeared to me to perhaps have been abandoned. At least…
February 29, 2008
CaliforniaHarbor SealWildlife

Pregnant or Just Plain Fat?

This looks to me like a very pregnant harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi). Its pupping season right now and I'm guessing that she (if she is indeed a she) is about to pop the pup. If in fact it's really a he, then he's a porker. Pacific harbor seal. Image…
February 27, 2008
CaliforniaHarbor SealWildlife

Over the Shoulder Glance

One more of the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) from the past couple days, this time turning to catch a look at some kids. Pacific harbor seal stretches on a sandy beach. Image ID: 20445 Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi Location: La Jolla, California, USA
February 26, 2008
CaliforniaHarbor SealWildlife

Stretch

Same harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) as yesterday, here caught in the middle of a post-nap stretch. Pacific harbor seal yawns and stretches on a sandy beach. Image ID: 20455 Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi Location: La Jolla, California, USA
February 25, 2008
CaliforniaFunnyHarbor SealWildlife

Yawn

This harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) doesn't look too motivated this morning. Pacific harbor seal yawns and stretches on a sandy beach. Image ID: 20447 Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi Location: La Jolla, California, USA
February 24, 2008
CaliforniaHarbor SealWildlife

Newborn

This tiny harbor seal pup (Phoca vitulina richardsi) is pretty young, it still has its umbilical cord hanging on its belly. Pacific harbor seal, newborn pup with umbilical cord Image ID: 20448 Species: Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi Location: La Jolla, California, USA
February 23, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Photo of Elephant Seals Fighting

Another photograph of two male northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) "bulls" fighting on a central California beach. These two started their battle on the sand and eventually took it into the surf. Note how scarred their chests, necks and proboscis (noses) are, the result of years of fighting and biting…
February 22, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Photo of Elephant Seals Mating

Here is another photograph of a large male northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) forcibly mating with a much smaller female. This bull holds her down with his enormous weight and even bites her into submission. Females elephant seals, when facing such a suitor, generally squak and put up a token…
February 21, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Rough Sex

In this photograph an adult male northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) mates with a much smaller female. Note that the female is not given much choice in the matter. This is quite typical in elephant seal society, somewhat akin to human society of a few million years ago. The female's…
February 20, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Photo of Elephant Seals Fighting

Here we see two northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) "bulls" fighting on a central California beach. Male elephant seals haul out of the ocean and establish territories on the beach in December, in advance of females who arrive a few weeks later and among whom they form large harems. Throughout…
February 19, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Photo of Elephant Seal Bellowing

A photograph of a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) "bull" bellowing on a central California beach. Other elephant seals can be seen on the sand and in the surf behind him. Bulls (adult males) spend a lot of time bellowing to communicate to surrounding elephant seals, including other bulls, the…
February 18, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Photo of Bull Elephant Seal Bellowing in Fog

Another photograph of a northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) "bull" bellowing on a foggy central California beach. Partially obscured by coastal morning fog, this male elephant seal rears up on its foreflippers and bellows to intimidate other males and to survey its beach territory. Winter, Central California.Image ID: 20418Species: Elephant…
February 17, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Munch

Check it out, these are two bull elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) fighting for territory and mating access to females. The bull on the right has got the upper hand, having a firm grip on the proboscis (nose) of the seal on the left. It might look funny but it is…
February 16, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Weaner

This is a "weaner", a young northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) that has been weaned (is no longer nursing milk from its mother) and is now on its own. In fact its mother has probably already left the beach and is now at far at sea foraging for food. This…
February 15, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Photo of an Elephant Seal Pup

This northern elephant seal pup (Mirounga angustirostris) looks like it has issues to work out with its mother. Elephant seal mother and pup vocalize to one another constantly, likely to reassure the pup and confirm the maternal identity on a crowded beach. Central California.Image ID: 15421Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostrisLocation:…
February 14, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Crowded Beach

Here we see part of the burgeoning Piedras Blancas colony of northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) crowding the beach. In actuality this is about half of the animals that were here at the peak, a few weeks earlier. Many of the females have already weaned there pups (or lost them…
February 13, 2008
CaliforniaElephant SealWildlife

Bull Fog

I arrived at the elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) rookery before sunrise and walked out in heavy fog, not able to even see the water. Gradually the fog burned off as the sun appeared and I could start to see some of the seals. Here is a big bull splayed out…
February 12, 2008
Central Coast

Photos of Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

The Piedras Blancas lighthouse, which sits on BLM land just north of San Simeon and Hearst Castle in central California, originally stood 115 feet tall when it was completed in 1875. It is one of only two coastline "tall-style" lighthouses on the California coast, the other being at Point Arena.…
February 10, 2008
CaliforniaMorro Bay

Photo of Sea Otter Mother and Pup

On my way back down the coast from Big Sur I made a stop in Morro Bay for a bite, and to take a quick look in the harbor for interesting fishing boats, birds or otters. I didn't see any good birds, and the light was overcast which made for…
February 9, 2008
La JollaPelicans of La JollaSeabird

Photo of a Brown Pelican Preening

Here is a California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) preening. Using it's long bill, the pelican spreads preen oil from its uropygial gland (near its tail) and spreads it over its wings and head. The preen oil helps to keep the feathers clean and dry. Check out the bird's coloration, it…
February 8, 2008
CaliforniaPelicans of La JollaSeabird

Photo of a Pelican in Flight

Yet another photo of a pelican in flight. This California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is seen soaring over the cliffs looking for a place to land and preen in the warm sun. See our Guide to Photographing Pelicans in La Jolla. Brown pelican in flight. The wingspan of the brown…
February 7, 2008
Pelicans of La JollaSeabird

Pelican Eye

This California brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is resting and warming itself in the sun after a morning foraging at sea. Its head is pointed behind itself and nestled between its wings. See our Guide to Photographing Pelicans in La Jolla. Brown pelican closeup showing characteristic winter mating plumage, including yellow…
February 5, 2008
La JollaPelicans of La JollaSeabird

Pelican Bluff at Sunrise

This is the bluff on which the bird photographers take their photos of the California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in their breeding plumage. Note the distinct absence of photographers -- this is unusual and due to the early hour (well before sunrise). I like to get to the bluff very…
February 3, 2008
Beautiful Views of San DiegoLa Jolla

Photo of La Jolla Cave at Sunrise

The biggest of the caves in La Jolla is seen here at sunrise. The other caves are around to the right. Atop this sandstone bluff are found many seabirds, particularly in winter when California brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and cormorants can be seen here in their breeding plumage. Few birds…
February 2, 2008
CaliforniaPelicans of La JollaSeabird

Pelican Portraits

More photographs of the California race of brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) from a recent morning in La Jolla, between storms. These show the bright red and olive colors that the large gular throat pouch takes on, as well as the dark brown hind neck and yellow head feathers, that are…
January 30, 2008
CaliforniaHarbor SealWildlife

Photo of Seals on the Sand

On a recent morning I dropped by the pelican bluff and found it pretty crowded so instead I shot harbor seals just around the bend. It was a fine morning and I had the beach to myself at the Children's Pool. Here are a few portraits of the harbor seals…
January 24, 2008
La JollaSea Lion

Photo of La Jolla Sea Lions

There is a big spawning aggregation of market squid assembled on the sand flats at about 60' off of La Jolla Shores beach right now. As a consequence, many California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are now in the area, feeding on the squid and hauling out on rocks to rest…
January 23, 2008
Pelicans of La JollaSeabird

Mavericks … Not

The Mavericks Surf contest was held today. No, I did not shoot it, unfortunately. I took photos of pelicans instead, not quite the same but the best I could do under the circumstances. Check out our Guide to Photographing Pelicans in La Jolla. Brown pelican closeup showing characteristic winter mating…
January 12, 2008
Beautiful Views of San DiegoLa Jolla

Photo of UCSD Library at Night

This is Geisel Library, the central library at University of California, San Diego (alma mater). These two particular photos are composites, each consisting of three images with varying exposures, combined on the computer. Without using this approach, known as HDR (high dynamic range), the shadows would be totally black and…
January 11, 2008
Photo of the Day

Sheet of Water

We recently stayed at a hotel in La Quinta. In the lobby was one of those modern fountain things that created a thin sheet of water. Behind it the lights of the restaurant are showing. Random. Water sheets over a fountain, blurry water, abstract lights are visible through the falling…
January 9, 2008