Whenever we take the Catalina Express to or from Catalina, we never fail to see several California Sea Lions basking on the harbor navigation buoys. Damsel took this picture as we passed into the harbor returning to the San Pedro Catalina Terminal.
Pinnipeds are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection act, and organizations such as the Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur (we are supporting members) provide rescue, rehab and restoration to the habitat for injured critters.
It’s not uncommon for sea lions to rest on buoys; they will also often gather at marinas and wharves. These man-made environments provide them safety from their natural predators: orcas and white sharks.
You can click on the image for a larger view.
I love it. Like many “edge species,” they are always open to new opportunities. 🙂
We often visit the pinniped infirmary at the Marine Mammal Care Center to see the good work they do there. We like it when the pens are mostly empty, but, alas, when there is blight or heavy surf, the pens fill up. The folks do good work there and we support them.
It was good that day returning from the island to see those fat little sunbathers on the buoy.