Photography Homework - Taking photos of the wildlife of the Monterey Bay

Still working with my new camera, I have been taking photos of the wildlife I can spot in and around Monterey Bay.  We started out at Moss Landing because I knew we could find one of our favorites, Sea Otters.  Thank you Nicole, Noelle, Patti and Mom, the camera is more than the perfect gift.  Love you and thank you very much.  Phil is taking his camera with us too.  He isn't ready for his debut, but as soon as he is feeling comfortable we will share his photos too!  As soon as we can, we will get the other camera fixed, because Phil is going to use that one.  

(tap the photos to make them larger)

You can learn more and watch live action of Sea Otters at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. 

Moss Landing is a great place to spot Sea Otters, they are often floating in the bay just grooming.  I was thrilled to be able to catch grooming action.  

"Sea otters are a keystone species, meaning their role in their environment has a greater effect than other species. As predators, sea otters are critical to maintaining the balance of the near-shore kelp ecosystems. Without sea otters, the undersea animals they prey on would devour the kelp forests off the coast that provide cover and food for many other marine animals. Additionally, sea otters indirectly help to reduce levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a prevalent greenhouse gas, as kelp forests play an important role in capturing carbon in coastal ecosystems"  defenders.org

"Sea otters are social animals, with females and pups spending time together in one group and males in another. Pups stay with their mothers for the first eight months of their life. The pups' fur traps so much air that they actually cannot dive under water. When mothers leave the pups wrapped in kelp to hunt, pups bob on the surface of the ocean like a cork. Mothers spend much time grooming pups and often carry them on their chests. Pups begin to learn to swim at around four weeks of age. Sea otters are one of the few animals to use tools. They eat animals with shells, like clams and abalone, and use a stone to break open the shells. When sea otters are under water searching for food, they store what they have found in the loose skin folds at their armpits. Adult sea otters can eat 25%-30% of their body weight in one day!"  marinemammalcenter.org

There was also a few Harbor Seals laying around enjoying the sun.  

This was an interesting looking sight below - I couldn't figure out what is was at first, they only had heads and fins sticking out.

There have been many Egrets floating on the kelp and I am very taken by the delicate tail feathers.  We spotted this one on a walk by Lovers Point in Pacific Grove.

While we were walking Phil spotted a hawk that was eating what looked like a small squirrel.  Crows were attacking it when we came upon the scene.  We sat and watched the hawk for a while, it was amazing and brutal.

This morning we took our first walk with the intention of checking on the Harbor Seals, I got one shot of a Harbor Seal and then I got taken with the 3 Elephant Seals on the beach.  They were playing with sea weed, each other and even a rock.  Huge cuteness, they appeared to be young, but were still far larger than the Harbor Seals.  

The one Harbor Seal I took photos of above, the Elephants Seals below.

You can check out elephant seals live here:  http://www.elephantseal.org/view.htm

Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga Angustirostris)

The northern elephant seal is the largest seal in the northern hemisphere and the second largest seal in the world (after the southern elephant seal). Adult males are 14 to 16 feet (4 to 5 m) in length and 4,000 to 5,000 pounds (1,400 to 2,300 kg) in weight. The females are much smaller at about 9 to 12 feet (2.5 to 4 m) in length and weigh 900 to 1,800 pounds (400 to 800 kg). Pups are 3 to 4 feet (1 m) long at birth and weigh about 70 pounds (32 kg).  http://www.elephantseal.org

I have been giving the camara a work out.  It helps to handle it and take as many photos as I can.  The next walk to us to the coast guard jetty, there are usually animals and birds there.  This morning there were jellies, starfish, sea lions and birds.

I LOVE MY CAMERA!  It has been a good week.  Phil has been feeling good, the camera and walks are keeping us busy.  Sending love and thanks to all of you!  Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and many prayers and hopeful thoughts for peace in the New Year!

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