Other marine mammals

Besides whales, we have also seen other marine mammals. The most famous of them are undoubtedly the California Sea Lions at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. I was luck to be able to go there on a sunny day (which is not always a gaurantee in San Francisco in August) and take pictures in beautiful light. And certainly I took many, many pictures, the following are but a few of those.

(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)


Pier 39 Sea Lions


Pier 39 Sea Lions


Pier 39 Sea Lions


Pier 39 Sea Lions


Pier 39 Sea Lions


Pier 39 Sea Lions


Pier 39 Sea Lions

The other common marine mammal that we saw in the San Francisco Bay and especially later in the Monterey Bay is the Harbor Seal. You may wonder "What's the difference between Sea Lions and Seals?", check out this link which has good information. One of the most noticeable visual clue is that Seals lack outer ears whereas Sea Lions have them. Compare the pictures on this page and you will see the difference.


Harbor Seal


Harbor Seal


Harbor Seal


Harbor Seal


Harbor Seal

The third, and the rarer, marine mammal species that we saw was the Sea Otter. Once hunted nearly to extinction for their fur, they are still endangered. Thanks to effort by conservationists, today we are fortunate to see some of them in the Monterey Bay. They are very difficult to photograph, however, as they seem to be more restless than the seals and sea lions, and they like to float on their back, cracking shellfish using their paws on their belly. I managed just a few passable shots.


Sea Otter


Sea Otter

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