Tag Archives: CA Sea Lions

Shari GoForth-Eby noticed a group of California Sea Lions off of Gualala Point Beach from the Gualala Bluff Trail.

Rick Denniston witnessed this too.

But there is an interesting story here, told by Scott Mercer.

Scott wrote, “We heard from Shari Goforth-Eby of an unusual sight by the Gualala Bluff Trail.  We arrived and saw 15 or more chatty California Sea Lions perched on a large object, and drifting with the strong wind. They were right along the edge of the beach managing to stay off the beach. After much looking and guessing we all finally agreed that the object was not a dead whale [whew] and was not a tree, or a log, but a raft of kelp.  At one point the group and their raft had drifted north and out of our sight. To our amazement, and amusement, the Sea Lions came swimming rapidly back along the beach barking loudly, not alone, but bringing their kelp raft along with them.”

Sea Lions feed on invertebrates that live in kelp forests. They form rafts for several reasons -to rest together, and for thermoregulation. They lift their flippers out of the water and have the sun warm them up. I have never heard of them bringing a patch of kelp with them. That’s wonderful to know!

Thanks to Shari and Rick for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

oh my, we are having a lovely day on the Mendonoma Coast. Big swells are evident on the Pacific Ocean and the waves are crashing. Temps in the mid 60's - a fine winter day.

Beth Kattleman took a recent kayak trip on the Russian River. She had visitors, Harbor Seals, and they sure were curious about her!

harbor-seals-looking-at-me-by-beth-kattlemanBeth's photo reminds me of a photo of Craig Tooley's that we included in our book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year. He and Rita Peck were ocean kayaking off of The Sea Ranch when these CA Sea Lions checked them out.

sea-lions-seen-from-a-kayak-june-by-craig-tooleyYou can almost hear them talking - hey, what's happening? Seen any tasty fish? Can you come and swim with us?

A little fancifulness for you today as we try and recover from the election.

Thanks to Beth and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com

Cherille Cochran photographed this double rainbow north of Anchor Bay.

Double rainbow by Cherille Cochran

A lovely sight indeed. We have some rain coming in this afternoon, which is very welcome. This morning we had lots of briny sightings. A pod of 5/6 Killer Whales was seen by many. Three Humpbacks were reported off the Gualala River. Many Gray Whales, most heading north, and lots of CA Sea Lions. What a day!

Thanks to Cherille for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Sea Lions are fun to watch. They are a common sighting off the Mendonoma Coast. They are noisy, barking often. Killer Whales hunt them. Richard Kuehn got a photo of Sea Lions swimming hard and fast. Perhaps there was an Orca or two after them.

Sea Lions swimming hard and fast by Richard Kuehn

Sea Lions can look like porpoises, because when they swim fast they "porpoise" through the water. Jon Loveless photographed this action.

Sea Lions porpoising by Jon Loveless

They also gather together in rafts, which is what Rozann Grunig photographed.

Sea Lions rafting off of TSR by Rozann Grunig

It is thought they raft together for protection. They hold a flipper up in the air to either warm up or cool down - thermoregulation.

And lastly, Sea Lions are very curious. Craig Tooley was out kayaking when a group came in close to check him out.

Sea Lions seen from a kayak JUNE by Craig Tooley

Thanks to Rich, Jon, Rozann and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: www.ruffimage.com To see Rozann's nature photography, here is her website: www.highway1designs.com