Jan 06 2009
On Pelicans, Sea Lions and Seals @ Winter
La Jolla Cove
We went last weekend to La Jolla Cove, hoping to photograph the breeding color of the pelicans which can be observed at winter. We usually watch for the pelicans by the cliffs below La Jolla Coast Walk, or below the Sunny Jim Cave entrance.
However, when we got to the cliff, there were not a lot of pelicans 
. I mean, there were several pelicans on the bluffs, but not a lot of them showing off their red bill pouch. I did not get lucky enough to take one picture of a pelican with the red bill pouch or with their breeding colors. It seemed they did not cooperate with me in showing off their gular pouch :).
California Brown Pelican
Winter is the breeding season of the brown pelicans, and during this time, their bill pouch turn a bright red. Since I did not feel lucky at all photographing the pelicans that day, I instead took some pictures of the noisy sea lions below the bluffs.
Sea Lions
The most common marine mammals in California Coast are sea lions and harbor seals.
Harbor Seals
They are both pinniped with fur, flippers and with fat bodies. However, two of the very obvious differences between the two are the ear flaps and the noise. The sea lions have ear flaps while harbor seals don’t have. When harbor seals rest quietly on shore, the sea lions can be very noisy, they utter a dog-like bark 
. Also, seals have smaller front flippes compared to sea lions, so when seals walk, they flop around their bellies When sea lions can be assertive around humans compared to seals which are more timid. Also, if sea lions have mostly brown coat, the seals have spotted coats.
And at winter, is the time for sea lions, seals and pelicans to breed. It is the best time to watch their unusual behavior and color. It is also the time where most of them are on shore.
And when sea lions mate, I pity the female, looks like they are hurting them, biting them into submission ( see picture).
Cool set of pics - I really like the perspective in the second picture, keep it up
Great pictures, betchai. We watch animal planet a lot in our house, and yes it looks very painful, and cruel when the sea lions mate. I wonder why they are so rough, with their mates.
Those sea lions look so content in the Sun. I bet they enjoy their life. I will send this post to my Son, he loves animals too.
We love animals and seeing them enjoying themselves in nature is the best! Absolutely loved and enjoyed these!
The scene doesn’t look like winter at all…and I like the viewing cliff. And the California brown pelican’s lovely!
My fav has to be the sea lions. Lovely creatures.
Every photo was great! I have always wondered what the difference was between sea lions and seals. Now when I go to the zoo next summer, I can make everyone think I am smart when I explain it to them.
great place to be! guess the male sea lions know how to control the strength used?
thanks for sharing.
I just love going out for nature-tripping esp. on warm sunny days …how I wish I live there…right now , it’s rainy, icy, dark, gray , gloomy, icky, yucky, wet and chilly outside—even here inside, it’s dark and cold. It’s really depressing here in CT…you know what I mean coz you lived here before.
I just love watching animals and the water….although I don’t like living in the suburbs with trees and trees and trees around me. I like something that is of course, nature but not a lot of trees that make me feel I;m in the forest. That is what it is like in here.
Great photos, and nice writeup! I love La Jolla. In fact, just to the left of those photos you shared of the Pelican viewing area, there’s a great restaurant called Trattoria Acqua. If you like Italian/Seafood, you’ll love this place, and the location can’t be beat!
By the way, your shot of the Brown Pelican is really great!
Stefan