Sea Lions

Just as the skipper promised we have come across some Sea Lions. As the boat fights the racing tide we inch closer to the Sea Lions for some fantastic photo opportunities.

Great photo of a Steller Sea Lion. Don't believe that it is bigger than a California Sea Lion? ...lets see if the telephoto can do any better!

There are two types of Sea Lions that are quite prevalent in the southern Vancouver Island area. The California, and the Steller. How can you tell the difference? Well, that is actually quite simple. The Steller is the largest of the Sea Lions, it can weigh upwards of 450kg (1000lb) and can be "the size of a large black bear, with the strength and teeth to match."1 Stellers tend to be a tan color whereas the California Sea Lion is a more chocolate-brown. The most pronounced feature that separates them is the high forehead of the California, which can't be mistaken.

After it appeared that everyone had taken all of the photos that they wanted of the enigmatic Sea Lions, the skipper started the boat once more and headed to the last known position of the Gray Whales. As the boat grudgingly ripped through the racing tide the skipper spoke over the roar of the engines, "I just spotted a Gray Whale about 1 nautical mile off our bow, looks like your lucky day!"

1 Killer Whales, The Study of Their Identification, Genealogy and Natural History in British Columbia and Washington State, by Michael A. Bigg, Graeme M. Ellis, John K.B. Ford, and Kenneth C. Balcomb. Phantom Press & Publishers Inc., Copyright © 1987 West Coast Whale Research Foundation.

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