Islas Coronado

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Young California Sea Lions Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Fall 2023

As I try to do every year, I did some diving at the Coronado Islands in October and November to watch California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Islas Coronado lie just south of the US border about 10 miles offshore of Tijuana, Mexico. The group of four islands and some rocks…

Phil CollaDecember 12, 2023

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

A Huge Mellow California Sea Lion Bull, and a Sea Lion Pup’s Odd Coat

My efforts to photograph California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) this fall were not as productive as in the past, due to a combination of cancelled trips, poor weather, dirty water and a lack of sunshine. But on my last scheduled day diving in the Coronados this year I did have a…

Phil CollaDecember 23, 2022

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lion Pups: Instagram Models and Another Runway Image

This year has been a challenge as far as diving locally is concerned. I had multiple trips planned to Mexico's Coronado Islands but so far only one has really produced any good diving and images. Here are some photographs from a single long dive at Lobster Shack, enjoying the company…

Phil CollaDecember 2, 2022

Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Fall 2021

This is the last in my "Southern California Bight Sampler (Post-Covid?)" series: Coronado Islands Refresher San Clemente Island's Kelp Forests Catalina Island's West End Farnsworth Banks San Diego Wrecks Coronado Islands - Sea Lions in Fall Each Fall I look forward to spending time in the shallow waters of a…

Phil CollaNovember 9, 2021

Islas Coronado Mexico

Coronado Islands Refresher

The Spring of 2021 has brought some semblance of normality, or at least the hope of normality, to our lives and that goes for diving. Granted, international travel is messed up and may be for a while. In the last year I had major dive trips to Mexico, Solomons, Philippines…

Phil CollaMay 24, 2021

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Young California Sea Lions at the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Fall is the best time to dive with young California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Most pups are born in May and June, and by September they have become strong enough to swim and will venture out from the rocks on which they live into shallow water. A sea lion colony…

Phil CollaNovember 22, 2020

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions at Lobster Shack, Coronado Islands, Mexico

I try to reach Lobster Shack at North Coronado Island each fall to dive with California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). Some years are better than others but generally the months of October and November offer superb encounters with these gregarious young pinnipeds. I say young because in fact the gangs…

Phil CollaMarch 30, 2020

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Photography

Cyclops the Strange-Eyed California Sea Lion

In December I spent a day diving the Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California in Mexico, home to one of the better California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) rookeries within a reasonable drive. The water was off-color so I did not make any beautiful images but I did encounter Cyclops the…

Phil CollaMay 12, 2019

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Sea Lion Underwater Photography

California Sea Lion Pups in the Coronado Islands

In early November I spent a day diving with California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Lobster Shack at the North Island was place to be since that's where a great colony of sea lions is. Conditions were excellent, about as good as diving in the Coronados gets. Photographer friend Allison had…

Phil CollaDecember 31, 2018

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion Underwater Life Underwater Photography

California Sea Lions, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Some of my favorite diving with California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus) has taken place at Mexico's Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado). The Coronados are a small group of undeveloped rocky islands just offshore of Tijuana, Mexico and only about an hour boat ride south of San Diego. Seemingly barren, the islands…

Phil CollaMay 5, 2016

Islas Coronado Mexico Underwater Life

Whales at the Coronado Islands, Mexico

Whales visit the Coronado Islands in Mexico throughout the year. During winter months, gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) pass by the islands, first southbound and a few months later traveling north, during their annual migration between Baja California and the Bering Sea. Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) and blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus)…

Phil CollaFebruary 12, 2014

Islas Coronado Mexico Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Garibaldi Fish, Coronado Islands, Mexico

The most easily recognized, and typically the most prolific, fish at Mexico's Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado) is the brilliant orange Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus). Some underwater areas of the Coronado Islands are urchin barrens (reef areas taken over by fields of sea urchins and devoid of most other marine life) so…

Phil CollaFebruary 10, 2014

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Mexico

Aerial Photos of Islas Coronado, the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Aerial Photos of the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico These new aerial photos of the three main islands in Las Islas Coronado, offshore of Baja California not far from Tijuana (Mexico) and San Diego, came from a nice flight a few weeks ago during a high pressure system, which calmed…

Phil CollaFebruary 8, 2014

Environmental Problems Monterey Sea Lion

Sea Lion Entangled in Monofiliment Line

This California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) has a severe neck laceration caused by what is likely monofiliment fishing line wrapped around its neck and digging into its skin. Monofiliment fishing line is an exceptionally thin and strong type of synthetic line used for sportfishing. Given that it is designed to…

Phil CollaMarch 10, 2009

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Mexico

South Island, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Here is a shot of South Island, part of the Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado) not far from San Diego and Tijuana, just south of the border. South Coronado Island, north end viewed from the north. Image ID: 21324 Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico

Phil CollaSeptember 17, 2008

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Mexico

Middle Island, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Here is a shot of Middle Island, part of the Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado) not far from San Diego and Tijuana, just south of the border. Partially obscured by Middle Island is "Middle Rock", to the left and behind. Middle Coronado Island, viewed from the south. Image ID: 21322 Location:…

Phil CollaSeptember 15, 2008

Aerial Photography Blue Whale California San Diego

Aerial Photo of a Blue Whale

Here is another blue whale aerial photo shot from our recent flight over the Coronado Islands and Nine Mile Bank. More blue whale aerial photos. Blue whale. The sleek hydrodynamic shape of the enormous blue whale allows it to swim swiftly through the ocean, at times over one hundred miles…

Phil CollaSeptember 14, 2008

Aerial Photography Islas Coronado Mexico

North Island, Coronado Islands, Mexico

From a recent flight over Islas Coronados (Coronado Islands, Mexico) recently, seen here is the western exposure of North Coronado Island viewed from the southwest. Do you see the crack between the rightmost tip of the island and the main island? There is a narrow submerged passageway through that crack…

Phil CollaSeptember 12, 2008

Aerial Photography Blue Whale California Wildlife

Blue Whale Aerial Photograph

I had a chance to go flying with a pilot friend whom I had not seen in a few years, and jumped at the opportunity. Flying in small planes is a lot of fun, and it allows us to see the ocean in ways one cannot from the coast or…

Phil CollaSeptember 11, 2008

Islas Coronado Mexico

The Coronados Islands, Their History and Environment

Yesterday a copy of the new book, The Coronados Islands, Their History and Environment (Las Islas Coronados, una Historia y un Entorno Natural) arrived in our mailbox. It is very well done, the best treatment of the Coronado Islands (Las Islas Coronados) I have yet seen. Although I was contacted…

Phil CollaDecember 19, 2007

Islas Coronado Mexico Sea Lion

California Sea Lions, Baja California

Each winter California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) gather in the hundreds on the rock slopes of North Coronado Island, just south of the US/Mexico border. The bottom diving is unremarkable here the remainder of the year, but when the sea lions are gathered in such numbers it is worth making…

Phil CollaMarch 15, 2005

Young California Sea Lions Underwater in the Coronado Islands, Fall 2023

A Huge Mellow California Sea Lion Bull, and a Sea Lion Pup’s Odd Coat

California Sea Lion Pups: Instagram Models and Another Runway Image

Sea Lions in the Coronado Islands, Fall 2021

Coronado Islands Refresher

Young California Sea Lions at the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

California Sea Lions at Lobster Shack, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Cyclops the Strange-Eyed California Sea Lion

California Sea Lion Pups in the Coronado Islands

California Sea Lions, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Whales at the Coronado Islands, Mexico

Garibaldi Fish, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Aerial Photos of Islas Coronado, the Coronado Islands, Baja California, Mexico

Sea Lion Entangled in Monofiliment Line

South Island, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Middle Island, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Aerial Photo of a Blue Whale

North Island, Coronado Islands, Mexico

Blue Whale Aerial Photograph

The Coronados Islands, Their History and Environment

California Sea Lions, Baja California

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