Sea Lions Seeking Refuge on Rocks, Mom and Pup Harbor Seals at the Beach
Why do sea lions and harbor seals haul out on rocks or at the beach? The answer is, just like humans, they need to rest too, and more importantly, not to burn so much energy.
Water, compared to air, conducts heat easily. Thus, we feel many times colder in water than in air because we lose a lot of our body heat in water than in air at the same temperature. It's for that same reason that sea lions and harbor seals usually haul out more during the cold season, plus of course, it's their mating and breeding season.
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| Mom and Pup Harbor Seal |
There are various ways for them to get warm in cold water: grow furs ( sea lions and seals have furs), build mass or grow bigger, eat a lot of food for metabolic heat, or haul out on land to rest. Sea lions and harbor seals combine these different methods.
Today's waves are really huge. If you notice in the video above, the sea lions are trying to get higher on the rocks. Here are some pictures in addition to the video above about why sea lions and harbor seals are mostly on land right now at La Jolla Cove.
Because the waves are huge, some of the sea lions were displaced from their "home" rocks. A lot of them seek higher ground.
Sea Lions on Higher Ground
The sea lions that are safe at higher level, seem to be concerned as well with their brothers/sisters who still are trying their best to get on the rock. They kept on barking at each other looking down at the other sea lions on water struggling to get to the rock.
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| Sea Lions Trying to Get on Rock |
While the sea lions were trying to use the waves to bring them high on rocks, some were enjoying the waves.
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| Surfer Enjoying Waves |
At the other side of La Jolla Cove, are the harbor seals peacefully hauling out at the beach. There are a lot of baby harbor seals on shore, and some mom seal were training their baby seal both on land and on water.
Mom and Pup Seals
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i know i've said it before but your videos and photo are really national geographic worthy. couldn't get over the gigantic wave that you captured! and the mom and pup harbor seal too! have a great week ahead, Beth! balik ako for comex. :)
ReplyDeleteSea lions look so cute to me. First time I've seen them was when we went to Sea World in San Diego. It's good for you, you live in that area and you can see them very often. Great photos of the sea lions and seals! Love looking at the surfers enjoying the waves.
ReplyDeleteWow, it must be great to watch those sea lions by the beach! Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful that wave is! I'm scared of open bodied waters but that wave is pretty, great for surfing. I also like those seals resting on the rocks. Lovable!
ReplyDeleteI like the mommy and baby sea lion shot :)
ReplyDeleteI love it. the video does takes me to where you took the scenery, i love the story between the mommy and child.
ReplyDeletethe mother and baby sea lion shot is beautiful. even animals know how to do parenting for their young, :)
ReplyDeleteLove those sea lions. They are so cute:-)
ReplyDeleteWow! your video reminds me the National Geography which I watch most of the time, Betchai. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteoh my those waves are huge!!! the mommy and baby sea lion shots are so cute!!!!!!!! watching the video over and over :)
ReplyDeletewas here earlier but got caught by too many phone calls, haha! always working through lunch but ain't complaining. :)
ReplyDeletethe video, as perfectly described by sistah Ruthi in FB, is AWESOME!
These photos show how amazing and awesome every life in this world is. Sea lions and other mammals somehow have the same way of nurturing and protecting their babies.
ReplyDeleteOh your photos are always stunning, betchai and the video is awesome to watch!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen sea lions in an open sea, only in the zoo. It would be great to see them free in the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI saw two before at the place of my friend and I loved them. Your picture with wave...so awesome!
ReplyDeleteAwww! I so love the Mama and baby sea lion bonding, so cute, sweet and just precious :-) Sis, your waves pictures are beyond words to describe. Wow! you take my breath away again...amazing pictures as always :-)
ReplyDeleteFabulous photos Betchai. the mom and pup is so cute!
ReplyDeleteVery lovely photos you got here. I am so jealous of you right now. It's been months since I last see the ocean.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, I am treated to such awesome captures here! The sea lions and that surfer braving the great big wave-- wow! Always nice to be able to feel so close to the nature with just photos like these ones you share, Ms. Betchai! Thanks! :)
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