Californian Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus), San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park, California
The California sea lion is a coastal eared seal native to western North America. It is one of five species of sea lion. Its natural habitat ranges from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, including the Gulf of California. The San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park spans 6,000 acres (24 km2) of ocean bottom and tidelands. The park's four distinct habitats (rocky reef, kelp bed, sand flats, and submarine canyon) make it a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. The park was created by the City of San Diego in 1970 and actually has two other parks within it: the "look but don't touch" Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge.
Year: 2015
From album: Californian Marine Reserves
Photographer: Peter Prokosch