|
|
|
|
|
top 25 items viewed per day
Week reset Sunday, Month reset the 1st, Year reset 1/1 |
|
(313 views)
This bedraggled juvenile black-crowned night heron was perched on the dock near the boat we were going to use. I hoped it wasn't a harbinger of how our trip would turn out.
|
|
(313 views)
An adult night heron in full breeding plumage showing off its pink legs which are yellow the rest of the year.
|
|
(311 views)
This Capybara needs a good brushing.
|
|
(311 views)
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.
|
|
(310 views)
This photo shows a sea lion swimming in the late afternoon sunlight beneath the wharf in Santa Cruz. Lovely light on a lovely animal.
|
|
(309 views)
The larger Great Egret was stalked by the smaller Snowy Egret.
|
|
(309 views)
Portrait of a large male sea lion sleepily surveying his domain.
|
|
(309 views)
More of the endless variation of facial expressions you can always find in sea lions.
|
|
(308 views)
The fisherman hadn't noticed that a pelican had just landed next to him on the pier.
|
|
(308 views)
These two pelicans were one pair of dozens loitering around the marina, all waiting for a fishy opportunity. The one on the left was an immature bird which had not grown into its adult plumage.
|
|
(308 views)
For an unforgettable wildlife experience, I highly recommend the Elkhorn Slough Safari in Moss Landing. We saw over one hundred sea otters, almost eighty harbor seals and dozens of sea lions very up close and personal.
This photo shows a raft of about eighty sea otters. Raft is the official label for a bunch of otters hanging out together, looking like a raft.
In addition to sea mammals, I also photographed sixteen species of birds. The trip was two hours of wildlife bliss. There were a few . . . |
|
(308 views)
Sea Otters appeared to spend a great deal of their time grooming themselves. They use their bodies as tables, so have to keep food scraps washed off. While they clean, they also push and sometimes blow air bubbles into their fur. The extra air trapped in their fur contributes to their buoyancy and increases insulation.
|
|
(308 views)
A large group of pelicans were perched on the fish processing equipment.
|
|
(307 views)
A lone individual popped up out of the water after a dive for food. We suspected he has a clam grasped in his paws. Otters love shellfish.
|
|
(307 views)
A capybara peeking coyly from behind its giant palm frond.
|
|
(307 views)
A shell was almost the size of the otter's head, but was no match for its appetite.
|
|
(307 views)
Pelican posed aboard an old fishing boat.
|
|
(307 views)
The otter balanced his "plate" on his stomach while enjoying that last little morsel.
|
|
(307 views)
A very young sea lion was sleepily curious about his observers.
|
|
(307 views)
This photo shows just part of a very large raft of otters we saw in the Elkhorn Slough. The older individuals had light faces, and such cute faces they were.
|
|
(307 views)
It surprises me that a big bird like a Pelican can fly so effortlessly.
|
|
(307 views)
Prehistoric looking pelicans sun and preen in the winter sun.
|
|
(307 views)
A very large male sea lion with a much smaller female.
|
|
(307 views)
A great egret at the edge of the bay looking for food. It is a very graceful bird whether walking or flying.
|
|
(307 views)
Catching the afternoon sun, the master of the grasses rests in its domain.
|
 |
| home • contact • topic guide • top 25 • photos • video • writing • blogs • upload • terms • privacy |