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20100612_Brown_Pelican_Can_Fly.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(99 views)
by Terry Costales

It surprises me that a big bird like a Pelican can fly so effortlessly.

20101213_Coy_Capybara_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(98 views)
by Terry Costales

A capybara peeking coyly from behind its giant palm frond.

20100602_Brown_Pelican_On_Fishing_Boat.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(98 views)
by Terry Costales

Pelican posed aboard an old fishing boat.

20100320_Raft_of_Sea_Otter.jpg

Raft of Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(98 views)
by Terry Costales

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.

20101113.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(98 views)
by Terry Costales

The pelican glides effortlessly over the surface of the sea.

20100610_Brown_Pelican_By_fisherman.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(97 views)
by Terry Costales

The fisherman hadn't noticed that a pelican had just landed next to him on the pier.

20100120.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(97 views)
by Terry Costales

Prehistoric looking pelicans sun and preen in the winter sun.

20100327_Brown_Pelican_Head_On.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(97 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is a view of a pelican you don't usually see. A head on view of its enormous bill.

20100322_Brown_Pelican_Head.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis )

(97 views)
by Terry Costales

This is a close-up of the same Pelican I posted yesterday,

20100522_Brown_Pelicans_Perched_Fishing_Equipment.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(97 views)
by Terry Costales

A large group of pelicans were perched on the fish processing equipment.

20101212_Capybara_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

This Capybara needs a good brushing.

20101211_Capybara_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

Catching the afternoon sun, the master of the grasses rests in its domain.

20101109.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

A flock of pelicans flying in typical formation with Anacapa island in the background.

20100321_Brown_Pelican.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

It was beautiful day in Santa Cruz and I had been photographing the sea lions when this pelican landed a few feet away on the pier railing. If there was ever a compelling visual argument for birds being the modern descendants of dinosaurs, it's the pelican. I could easily imagine them flying just out of reach above the snapping jaws of some aquatic sea monster.

20100522_Brown_Pelicans_Moss_Landing.jpg

Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis californicus)

(96 views)
by Terry Costales

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.

20100526_Sea_Otter_With_Large_Shell.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(95 views)
by Terry Costales

A shell was almost the size of the otter's head, but was no match for its appetite.

20100323_Harbor_Seal.jpg

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

(95 views)
by Terry Costales

Harbor seals are close to the top of the cute list, right up there next to sea otters. We saw close to eighty harbor seals that day, most of them lying on shore watching us watching them.

20101222_Camouflaged_Lion_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Lion (Panthera leo)

(95 views)
by Terry Costales

The lion demonstrated camouflage.

20100517_Sea_Otter_Paparazzi.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(95 views)
by Terry Costales

Here is another otter grooming or maybe he is thinking "oh, not another boatload of paparazzi!"

20100413_Sea_Otter_Persuade.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(94 views)
by Terry Costales

This is one otter trying to persuade another otter to share its meal. It wasn't very successful.

20101221_Lion_Santa_Barbara_Zoo.jpg

Lion (Panthera leo)

(94 views)
by Terry Costales

The King of the Jungle appeared regal that day.

20100326_Sea_Otter_With_Shell.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(94 views)
by Terry Costales

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.

20100511_Sea_Otter_Grooming_Traps_Air.jpg

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

(94 views)
by Terry Costales

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.

20100524_Pregnant_Harbor_Seal.jpg

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

(94 views)
by Terry Costales

A very pregnant Harbor Seal looking quite pleased with herself.

20100515_Harbor_Seal_Curious_About_Us.jpg

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

(94 views)
by Terry Costales

The Harbor Seal was very curious about us as we motored past, but not curious enough to actually move.

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