Sea Lions

"This is a group of California Sea Lions, from the boat you can hear their characteristic barking sound", comments naturalist Rachel. These animals are quite common here and often put on a display that makes you laugh. While generally here most of the year, their numbers are particularly high just before and after big waves in the winter.

Candid Camera Sea Otter

I have been taking tours out on Elkhorn Slough for 15 years, and am amazed that there is always something new, but this has got to be one of the quirkiest observations yet. We just finished a week long set of cruises with a photography club. We had many wonderful wildlife shots including the baby otter. But this fellow seemed to be taking photos of us! A tourist must have dropped this video camera in the slough (been under a while as evidenced by the alga growth) and it was found by the otter. One of the photographers shared his photo with us and allowed us to post it. Photographer Enrique Aguirre stated, "OK, this is the funniest thing I have seen in the wild. I promise there is no Photoshop involved, this IS a REAL shot.". We wonder what the otter plans to use it for, maybe the sea otter is posting on u-tube right now.... Captain Yohn Gideon