Tag Archives: Sea Lions rafting

•

It can be disconcerting to see California Sea Lions join together in a raft. But it is normal activity for them. They come together for protection and when they put a flipper in the air, they are either warming themselves up or cooling down. This is called thermo-regulating. Paul Brewer recently witnessed this.

Sea Lions rafting by Paul Brewer

And I am so pleased to announce that my book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year, has won a national award - a Benjamin Franklin Silver Award in the category Nature and Environment. Rick and I went to the ceremony in Austin, Texas on April 10th.

Jeanne Jackson with her book, Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year, wins the silver Benjamin Franklin book award, photo courtesy of IBPA

My competition was so awesome that it was a privilege to be considered with them. To see a list of the Benjamin Franklin award winners, here is the link to the Independent Book Publishers Association: http://ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com/

Thanks to Paul for allowing me to share his Sea Lion photo with you here. To see much more of Paul's nature photography, here is the link to his website: http://www.capturingnatureswonders.com/

• 2 Comments

•

Allen Vinson had his camera ready when a couple of CA Sea Lions decided to play in the ocean. This first photo shows a small raft of Sea Lions on the left and the two playful Sea Lions on the right.

A raft on the left and playful Sea Lions on the right by Allen Vinson

Here are two more photos of the Sea Lions at play.

Sea Lions playing by Allen Vinson Sea Lions playing 2 by Allen Vinson

Looks pretty darn fun to me! Thanks to Allen for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

•

John Batchelder noticed the tall dorsal fin indicative of an Orca, aka Killer Whale. Then he saw a second one. California Sea Lions had been seen rafting in the same area two days earlier.

 Orcas aren't Whales - they are actually Dolphins, albeit BIG ones!

Below you will see the Sea Lions John photographed two days before the Orcas showed up.

Orcas hunt Sea Lions, among other large creatures of the sea. Thanks to John for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

•

Before recent storms roiled the Pacific Ocean, conditions were calm and people were able to observe California Sea Lions rafting up and down the Mendonoma Coast. Sea Lions join together in a raft for protection as they sleep. Alan Reinke photographed a large raft recently.

They extend a flipper out of the water to warm it. The warmth is then sent to their internal organs, helping to regulate their body temperature. In hot weather they will do this to cool themselves down.

Thanks to Alan for allowing me to share his photo with you here! If you'd like to see a close-up photo of a Sea Lion with her pup, here is the link: http://www.mendonomasightings.com/2011/06/05/california-sea-lions-photographed-on-the-rocks-off-the-mendonoma-coast/

• 4 Comments

•

The coast is alive with the sounds of California Sea Lions. In the calm air, their barking calls can be heard for several miles. Juvenile male Sea Lions have recently returned to the Mendonoma Coast. And they are forming rafts in groups of twenty or more. This has been seen off of Anchor Bay, The Sea Ranch and Timber Cove. They roll to one side and hold a flipper up in the air. This helps to regulate their bodies temperature.

Barbara Rice used her camera and her scope to digascope this photo of a raft of Sea Lions with a Gray Whale spouting just behind. Many thanks go to Barbara for allowing me to share this unique photo with you here.