California Sea Lion
California Sea lion pups are born in late June, most often on June 15th. Pups are born with their eyes open, they can vocalize, and even swim a little. Several days after the pup's birth, the mother leaves the pup in the crowded rookery as she searches for food in the ocean. When she returns, the mother emits a loud trumpeting vocalization, which elicits a bleating response from her pup. This exchange continues until the mother and pup find each other. She makes her final identification by smelling her pup. Mother’s will nurse their pups from six months to a full year and will return to the same location that they were born to give birth.
A half a mile down the coast from Casa Beach San Diego, CA is one of the only known inland breeding populations of California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). A mother California Sea Lion share a tender moment as they rest out of the water on the rocky shoreline. California Sea Lions rely on their time out of the water for rest and thermoregulation.
A group of California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) come up to the beach, to rest for the night, as the sunsets in La Jolla, CA
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) swims in the shallow waters of La Jolla Cove, CA
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) surf the shallow waves of La Jolla, CA
Two newborn California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) pups play with one another in La Jolla, CA.
A mother California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) and her pup share a tender moment as they rest out of the water on the rocky shoreline in La Jolla, CA
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) mom and her pup and adopted pup in La Jolla, CA
A mother California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) and her touch noeses to learn each others sent in La Jolla, CA
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) pup stands up on its fippers in La Jolla, CA
Two female California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) play together in the waters of La Jolla , CA
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) swims in the shallow waters of La Jolla Cove, CA
A male California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) watches over a newborn pups in La Jolla, CA
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) surf the shallow waves of La Jolla, CA
A male California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) watches over a group of newborn pups in La Jolla, CA
California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) mom and her pup nursing in La Jolla, CA
A mother California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) and her touch noeses to learn each others sent in La Jolla, CA
A large group of California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) gather on the edge of Point La Jolla, CA
A newly released California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) looks back at its rescuers after entering the water. This sea lion was released from the care of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
A California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) is about to enter the water in La Jolla, CA.