Sea Lions and Wave

Pounding Waves, La Jolla, San Diego, CA

As giant waves came pounding on the rocks and shore, the weary California sea lions look for a place to escape the pounding waves. In my previous post, I shared my imagined story about elephant seals expressions, in this post, let me share with you another of my imagined story about sea lions and the waves. Yes, being out of the doors sometimes bring me crazy stories, such as "The Sea Lion, Herring and Egret". Anyway, I am taking a break from sharing our experiences in our last thanksgiving Big Sur Vacation in favor of most recent experience here in home sweet San Diego.

Sea Lions And Waves

As waves crashed on the rock, some sea lions got more pounding from the waves, while others were hardly disturbed, safe enough from the crashing waves. The sea lion at the bottom part of the rock turned around to join others on safer ground.

Sea Lion @ The Bottom: "Hello everyone, I see there is still some space for me there at the top, can I join?"

Sea Lion nearest the one at the bottom: "sure you can, if you can fit in!"

Sea Lion at the Bottom: "I believe I will fit in, especially if you will help move a little bit for me." 

notice another sea lion in the water swimming looking out towards the rock

The sea lion closest to the one at the bottom moved a little bit to give the other sea lion space. In moving, he awakened the sea lion next to him who seemed to be in dreamland. 

The Awakened Sea Lion: " Hmmmm, why did you have to push me further inside? I was sleeping!"

The Sea Lion At the Bottom who now got to the top: " I asked her to move so I can have some space. My body is now aching from all the pounding of the waves. I envied you all for being so safe here, so I asked if I can join!"

The Awakened Sea Lion: " Huhum, okay." While moving a little bit further inside to give the bigger sea lion space.

Then, another big wave came in, pounded on the rock, and the sea lion who just got to the top of the rock felt so thankful for being farther away now from the waves wrath. 

 The Sea Lion At the Bottom who now was at the top: " Ahhh, big wave again! Lucky and blessed am I for being here!"

But then, a bigger wave came in, reaching some portion of the top of the rock.

The Sea Lion At the Bottom who now was at the top: " Oh-oh, these pounding waves are without mercy! They keep on following me!"

The Sea Lion At the Bottom who now was at the top: " Everyone, hold on tight and strong, don't let yourselves fall!....

 ...another one of us came here to join ( it was the sea lion who were in the water earlier and trying to swim closer to the rock). Everyone, can you please move a little bit further in so we all can be safe and not fall?"

The Sea Lions in the Middle: " Man, how can we move? those in front are heavily in dreamland! Have been enjoying their wave free time! Don't worry, if anyone of us fall, we always can swim and surf!"  

Man Body Surfing: " Hey, why not? we are having a great time here! come join ride the waves!"

 Sea Lions: " Sorry man, we needed rest too! We have all the waves to ride and surf if we want to. We can also dive down where it is more peaceful there. But we needed this time to haul out on this rock, feel safe and rested!"
Whereas, the sleeping sea lions were in dreamland, dreaming that the waves are soothing out. 

Dreaming of being in the clouds..... 

Clouds on the water.  

Giving them rest.....soothing every tired muscles that were pounded by the unforgiving waves.

~end of Betchai's story~
all pictures above were taken today @ La Jolla

Some sea lion information:

Sea lions are pinnipeds characterized by external ear flaps, long foreflippers, the ability to walk on all fours, and short, thick hair. Some species of sea lion are readily trainable and are often a popular attraction at zoos and aquariums. The archetypal circus "seal" performing behaviors such as throwing and catching balls on its nose and clapping is almost always a sea lion.

They are very intelligent mammals that the US Navy train them for some military applications underwater, just as dog on land. If you take a 2 hour cruise in San Diego Bay, chances are, you will find some sea lions working or training with the navy. Use of sea lions in the US Navy includes detecting underwater landmines, equipment recovery, and protecting US ships from enemy divers. California sea lions are extremely social and form large aggregations when on land.

Individuals lie close to each other, actually, even on top of each other. In the water, they still form small groups in close proximity to each other. Juvenile and nonbreeding California sea lions are perhaps the most playful of the otariids. They often ride the surf, chase each other, push and shove each other off rocks, and practice territorial battles. Adults engage in these activities less often.

more about sea lions here:
http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/california-sea-lion/behavior.htm
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/california-sea-lion/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_lion

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