On a hike through Santa Fe Island in the Galapagos, I was blessed with some quality time with a colony of sea lions lounging on the beach.
I commented on the docility of the Galapagos wildlife in my previous post but we were warned to keep our distance from the sea lion bull and darling pups. The consequences of defying our guide? Getting charged at or, if you really hit a nerve, bitten by the fiercely territorial bull. We heeded our guide’s warnings and relished every moment we spent with our new friends.
But their real grace is revealed below sea level by the rambunctious pups’ endearing and dizzying displays of playfulness with each other and their spectators. Sometimes they shoot towards you as if daring you to play chicken then quickly twist past you just inches from your snorkel mask, or acrobatically swirl and perform somersaults around you as if inviting you to join their dance in their own home. I accepted.
Even a month later, I still smile and fall into a spell of euphoria when I’m reminded of the experience.
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What a special experience! Your photographs capture it well – beautiful.
It absolutely was. Thanks so much!
Beautiful photos, thanks!
Thank you!
Beautiful photos. Mind if I ask what camera you used and how you captured the underwater shots?
Thanks! I shot the images with a Canon 5D Mark III and Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens. The underwater photos were taken with an Olympus TG-1.
Love your underwater photography! Didn’t know they were so territorial! I only can see sealions from a distance from the beach near where I live, on some rocks nearby (because the beach is always packed with people:()
Thanks! Yes, those bulls can get aggressive if you get too close.
You’ve got a wonderful series of photos here. Over 20 years ago I went swimming with sea lions in New Zealand and found them to be really playful too.
Isn’t it wonderful? I didn’t know you could do that in New Zealand but I’m glad you can!