NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

2019

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California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) sleeping under a pier in Monterey Bay. It looks like a male. They're larger and have a thicker neck.

Give Me A Kiss!

My visit to Monterey Bay was largely because I wanted to see Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris). They have an exceptionally thick coat of fur, the densest in the animal kingdom. They are the heaviest member of the Mustalid family with an adult weighing up to 45kg.

Throw Me The Ball!

Cairns were dotted along the beach at Spanish Bay, 17 Mile Drive.

A young California Ground Squirrel (Otospermophilus beecheyi) a little more bashful than the adults.

Sand Bath.

There can be a dual purpose to the rolling around in the sand or dust, to remove parasites from their fur and to scent mark their territory.

Lone Cypress

The California coastline along Highway 1 south of Carmel is stunning.

Goliath's Feet.

The giant redwood trees native to Sequoia and King's Canyon National Parks live up to their name. The parks contain five of the ten largest trees in the world.

General Sherman Tree.

The largest tree in the world by volume.

Stellar's Jay, also know as the Long-Crested Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) in Yosemite National Park.

Walking The Line.

When we reached Taft Point we got to see a tightrope walker in action. Thankfully, she was attached to the rope with a harness as she fell off. It would have been a long way down without it. That's not my idea of fun!

Vernal Fall

Last Light on Half Dome

Sentinel Beach in the Merced River

Yellow-Bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris).

As much as I loved all the stunning waterfalls, lookouts and views within Yosemite National Park, it was the wildlife sightings that always thrilled me.

Mountain lake along the Tioga Pass.

Tufa Limestone Tower at Mono Lake, a saline soda lake that formed at least 760,000 years ago. It's an important habitat for 2 million annual migratory birds that feed on the Brine Shrimp that thrive in the alkaline waters.

Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed sections of Lake Tahoe.

Feeding.

A male Violet-Green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) feeding its young.

4th July Fireworks in Calistoga

Old Faithful Geyser near Calistoga

I like some images better when they're converted to black and white...

We'd barely left the marina in Monterey when we came upon a pod of dolphins.

Diving Down.

Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) can dive to a depth of 150-210m and for up to 30 mins, though it's usually about 15 mins.

Lunge Feeding.

Two Humpback Whales were swimming alongside each other and periodically they would disappear under water and then suddenly burst up somewhere else with their mouths wide open to catch as many fish or krill as possible. It was difficult to anticipate where they would reappear!

Sea lions are social animals.

If you look closely you can see the sea lion's external ear flaps, which is one of the ways you can tell them apart from seals.

I like abstract patterns in nature!

Taft Point overlooking Yosemite Valley.

Half Dome, Nevada and Vernal Falls from Glacier Point.

Bridalveil Falls

Quiet Contemplation

Ghost Town

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco with the city centre in the distance, just about visible through the mist.